Animal abuse defendant enters no contest plea
FORT BRAGG » A defendant in an infamous Coast dog cruelty case decided to forgo a jury trial this week and enter a no- contest plea to felony animal abuse.
Katie Rhiannon Smith, of Caspar, faces up to 3 years in Mendocino County Jail for shooting “Thunder” in December 2019. The case was originally reviewed and charged by District Attorney Dave Eyster and the assigned prosecutor is Deputy District Attorney Josh Rosenfeld.
The dog was found wandering in Jackson State Demonstration Forest after several days, injured and abused, and wearing a cone that prevented him from eating or drinking easily. He was rescued by a concerned citizen and went to live with Davina Liberty, a Fort Bragger.
It was later determined by a veterinarian that Thunder was suffering from gunshot wounds, dehydration and malnutrition. At one point, Thunder was transferred to a veterinary hospital in Santa Rosa for several days to receive 24-hour care.
With this plea, said a representative for Eyster, “Smith admitted that she maliciously and intentionally maimed, mutilated, tortured or wounded an animal.”
Smith, 34, is scheduled to be sentenced in the Fort Bragg court on Dec. 2. She had previously admitted that she tried to put down Thunder with a handgun, but only succeeded in wounding the animal. Smith later recanted that statement.
Liberty said Tuesday that Thunder is “healthy, he’s happy, he’s fully recovered,” and living with a new family that loves him very very much.
“I am just super grateful,” Liberty said. “That dog deserves it.”
Despite what Eyster’s office said inapress release, a “no contest” plea to a felony is not the same as a guilty plea — it means Smith will not fight the charges but is not admitting guilt.
Community members interested in the outcome of the case are welcome to attend the sentencing hearing on Dec. 2 at the Fort Bragg court, 700 S. Franklin St. Facial coverings and social distancing are required.
The law enforcement agencies that investigated this crime were the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, Mendocino County Animal Control, and the District Attorney’s own investigators. Care and assistance for Thunderwas provided by the Mendocino CoastHumane Society and their medical staff.