Judge gets inventive in sentence in horse case

Harvey County Judge Richard Walker wanted to make sure a Newton woman accused of abusing 12 horses does not do it again.

To that end, Walker imposed a detailed set of conditions on R.J. Bowling’s probation when she was sentenced Feb. 25.

A transcript from that hearing was released Thursday.

Bowling, also known as Robee J. Worrell, was charged with 14 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals for allegedly neglecting horses in her care.

Local horse enthusiasts produced photos of the horses appearing emaciated, and one horse under her care had to be euthanised.

Per a plea agreement, all but three of those charges were dropped. Bowling pleaded to the remaining charges.

Charges against her husband, Charles, also were dropped.

Bowling could have faced up to a year in jail on each charge, but Walker sentenced her to 180 days in jail, suspended the sentence and granted an immediate one-year probation.

County Attorney David Yoder and some of the local horse enthusiasts urged the court to force Bowling to sell her horses.

However, Walker chose not to do that.

Yoder said Walker chose to focus on prevention rather than punishment.

“The judge made a detailed decision,” Yoder said. “It took a good deal of time for him to explain his rationale and his purposes for rendering his decision.”

Walker stipulated as conditions of her probation, Bowling could not buy more horses while she is on probation and could not be the primary day-to-day caretaker of the horses she owns.

She also was assigned to perform 40 hours of community service.

However, Walker said during the sentencing he nor the court will have control over Bowling’s behavior after her probation expires.

“I mean Ms. Bowling could own 100 horses, 500. She could once I am done with the case. (When) I am done with the case and my probation expires, the authority of the court expires,” Walker said according to a transcript from the sentencing.

Walker added further stipulations, to ensure Bowling would not harm animals again.

“So what I have chosen to do is to try to emphasize those things which I believe are most likely to ensure that this kind of situation does not happen again ...” Walker said at the sentencing.

Bowling was ordered to write a three- to five-page book report on a book entitled “The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd” by Joe Camp and submit it to the court.

He also ordered her to, within the next six months, take an equine-care course and obtain a written statement from a veterinarian stating she is knowledgeable in equine care.

Walker said in his 25 years on the bench, this case was one of the most emotional he had ever presided over.

Bowling’s attorney, Jim Lawing, described the case as a “witch hunt” in court.

Supporters of the horses, including Harvey County resident Mona Abney, said they were concerned about the continued well-being of the horses.

But Abney said she thought the judge had taken an inventive approach to Bowling’s sentencing.

“The judge is trying to educate her. Like he said, we could all benefit from things like this,” Abney said, referring to the book report and class Bowling will be required to complete.

Although Bowling was unable to be reached for comment, her attorney said he thought Walker had been fair in his sentence.

“I think the judge recognized the horses are in good health and are all prospering. I think he realized there was not any reason to deprive her of her horses,” Lawing said. “... I think he was imaginative.”

Walker made no apologies for his decision.

In his final statements during the sentencing he said, “Folks, you can look at this and say this is the most incredibly amateurish approach to this that anyone could take. Guilty as charged, but it’s my choice. It’s my determination. I think they are all related to the use of my power to make the world for horses a better place once my authority