Agreement reins in neglect charge

SANDPOINT — A plea agreement is pending in the case of a Bonner County man accused of neglecting his horses, court documents indicate.

The state filed a resolution proposal Friday which would reduce the animal cruelty charges to permitting animals to go without care. Deputy Prosecutor Valerie Fenton is recommending a suspended $300 fine and $1,435 in restitution to cover veterinary and boarding costs related to the seizure of his two horses, according to the proposal.

Atkinson's animals were seized from his Baldy Mountain property in May 2007, after one of the horses was found outside its enclosure. A vet who examined the animals determined they were malnourished and infested with lice, according to court testimony.

Atkinson, 61, has vigorously denied the allegations and a misdemeanor trial is set for next month.