After years of litigation and multiple court dates, a convicted animal abuser is going to jail for violating her probation.
Beth Hoskins was sentenced to 90 days behind bars Tuesday for a number of probation violations. Hoskins was ordered to sell 32 of her 68 horses, which she failed to do. She also did not properly report to her probation officer, didn't provided veterinary reports for her horses and was taking care of more horses than the court ordered. The prosecution also claimed that a veterinarian found a dead horse in Hoskins' barn on October 16th.
"We're going to move for an immediate stay, said her attorney Tom Eoannou. "The appeal will be heard in January, so hopefully Beth never spends a day in jail."
"instead of a pattern of compliance she showed a pattern of defiance," said prosecutor Michael Drmacich. "In keeping the animals until the last possible moment until she actually faced jail time."
Eoannou says Hoskins has been mostly compliant with her probation for the past 13 months, and missed only one report due to family matters. She's now set to report to jail Friday, the same day he'll file paperwork to appeal the judge's decision.
This year, Hoskins created this music video in response to her ongoing court battle, showing that she has a drive to not give up:
The video was referenced in court on Tuesday, with prosecutors pointing to it to describe Hoskins’ continued opposition to the judge’s orders. Hoskins’ defense attorney countered that Hoskins’ case was being treated differently than other animal abuse cases, especially due to the media attention it's gotten over the years.
It was four and a half years ago, in March of 2010, when the Erie County SPCA raided Hoskins' Town of Aurora farm, and seized dozens of animals. Since then, Hoskins has been in and out of the courtroom as she fought to keep the horses in her care.Erie County Executive Director Barbara Carr says she's seen that type of behavior before.
"Far too often. Far, far too often, I see people who are not willing to get rid of their animals in order for their animals to have a better chance," she said.
Hoskins is due to report to jail at 5 p.m. on Friday. She her 90 day sentence could be commuted to 60 days with good behavior.
