A Sherrard woman has pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges in connection with four horses she owns. 56 year old Karen Plambeck made her initial appearance in Mercer County Circuit Court this morning after being arrested on a warrant last month by Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputies. A pre-trial conference is set for January 9th. The horses are a two-year old paint mare named Pocahontas, a one-year old bay filly named Cherokee or Chief, an eight-to-nine year old paint mare named Jasmine and a six-to-seven year old paint stallion named Flash. Accusations involve failing to provide the animals a sufficient quantity of good wholesome food. The horses received body condition scores from a licensed veterinarian of 2, 3, 3 and 3 out of a possible score of 9, with a score of 1 being emaciated. One count also alleges a halter was allowed to remain so long on Pocahontas that the halter became embedded causing a necrotic area on the bridge of her nose. Plambeck is facing five Class B misdemeanor counts. Plambeck posted $1,000 bond and was released from the Mercer County Jail shortly after her arrest last month.
