180 days jail, probation for repeat McHenry horse abuse, neglect
A 41-year-old Mount Prospect woman was sentenced to six months in jail and 2½ years of probation Wednesday for her second offense of neglecting and starving her horses in 2013.
Jamie Koy was on probation for the same offense in 2010 in which three horses died. She was arrested in April 2013 after investigators, during an unannounced welfare check, found four horses that were extremely malnourished.
The four horses survived but a jury convicted her of felony animal cruelty in May 2015 and she faced anywhere from probation the three years in prison from McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather.
"The pictures of those horses were heartbreaking, and you appear to not accept any responsibility for your actions," Prather told Koy, who declined to address the court when given a chance to apologize or explain her actions. "The court finds that very, very disturbing."
McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Dave Johnston argued for a prison term, saying Koy exhibited some characteristics of an animal hoarder, was in denial about her crime, and the horses were essentially "bags of bones" when found.
"How many horses have to get starved to death or nearly starved to death while Jamie Koy figures out how to care for them?" Johnston said. "She needs a wake-up call. She is a danger to these horses."
Koy's defense attorney, Jon Neuleib, argued for probation, saying Koy was needed to care for her parents, who have serious health problems.
Janet Koy testified her daughter was a skilled, compassionate and empathetic stable manager whose health declined to the point that she could only board horses. Janet Koy said her daughter was convicted through a "pack of lies."
"If (the horses) were depressed, as stated in court, it was because they were removed from their home and separated from Jamie," Janet Koy said. "She was always about protecting her 1,200-pound babies."
Koy also must undergo a psychological evaluation and comply with recommendations.
If Koy violates her probation, in which she is not to have contact with any animal, she could be brought back to court and resentenced to up to three years in prison.