Doctor guilty of dozens of animal cruelty charges

CHARLESTON -- A Coles County judge has found a doctor guilty of dozens of misdemeanor animal cruelty charges stemming from the mistreatment of horses.

County animal officials testified the underfed horses on Ernest Rose's farm near Charleston had to slog through mud to find water and were fed only moldy hay.

Rose was charged in 2007 with nearly 200 misdemeanor offenses including violation of owner's duties, cruelty to animals and the improper disposal of dead animals.

Circuit Judge Mitchell Shick found Rose guilty of most of the charges. The judge said the 72 horses found on Rose's farm "were in distress for a number of weeks, if not months."

Defense attorney Michael Tague says he and Rose are disappointed in the ruling. Rose's sentencing is slated for November 21st.