State-Journal.com - Man pleads guilty to 13 counts of animal cruelty

A former Franklin County animal control officer pleaded guilty to 13 counts of second-degree cruelty to animals Thursday in Franklin District Court.

Derek A. Rayborn, 29, of 4010 St. Johns Road, was sentenced to six months in jail by Judge Kathy Mangeot. He will have to serve 30 days, beginning Feb. 1, and the remaining five months will be suspended on several conditions.

Those conditions include that Rayborn not own or have any dogs in his possession for two years; not participate in any kennel clubs or dog-related events; and have no other criminal offenses for two years.

Rayborn also received a $6,500 fine ($500 on each count), but that was also suspended on the same conditions.

In the plea agreement, one count of harboring a vicious animal was dismissed.

Thirteen pit bull dogs were seized from Rayborn's property on Jan. 3 by current county Animal Control Officer Todd Moore. It was the second time in nine months a large number of pit bulls were seized in connection with animal cruelty charges.

A trial was set for Rayborn Thursday on one count each of animal cruelty and harboring a vicious animal " charges stemming from 2007. Then he would have still had to face the multiple animal cruelty charges from 2008 later.

"We were ready to go to trial but Derek, in the last minute, did what he thought was best for his family," said Chris Olds, Rayborn's attorney, after Thursday's plea and sentencing. "He knew the potential was there to face a lot of jail time and he didn't want to take that chance.

"I don't think this was a situation where Derek was intentionally trying to hurt any dogs. I think he had taken in more dogs than what he could take care of. I think he did the best he could."

Olds said Rayborn took in rescue dogs because he was afraid if not they would go to the Franklin County Humane Society's animal shelter, "and possibly have to be euthanized. So I think he was trying to do the right thing but he wasn't able to adequately take care of the dogs he had."

Franklin County Attorney Rick Sparks said he was satisfied with the plea agreement.

"It accomplished the goals I had, which were to punish for the conduct and to ensure to the extent I could that Mr. Rayborn not have any dogs in the future," Sparks said.

Both times the pit bulls were seized from Rayborn, they were boarded at the local animal shelter.

Regina Mitchell, manager of the animal shelter, said she is satisfied with the plea agreement, "as long as (Rayborn) is monitored and abides by the conditions given to him. I feel justice was met for the animals. Franklin County citizens just need to keep their eyes open for this type of activity done to animals. It's especially important for the well being of the animals right now with the weather being so cold."

Mitchell said the shelter is closed today, as it was Thursday, because of the cold weather, "so the animals can all be inside the building with heat and plenty of blankets and food and water. We will reopen on Saturday."

7.	Posted by Shadowmeister January 24, 2008
	The sentence is rediculous. If he isn't going to have to do the time then he should at least have to pay the money to the Human Society or some other Animal Resucue that is going to have to take on the job of fixing & finding these 13 dogs homes. I don't know what he did to them but he may have ruined them for adoption as well. Which is very sad for the dogs since they did nothing wrong. This is just telling people that it's ok, animals don't matter, so just treat them like crap! The judge needs to remember that she is were she is in her career for a reason and maybe one of those reasons is to take control of this abuse situation and set forth a new example that Kentucky will not set idally by and let this happen. We are all Gods creatures and creation and we were put here for a reason. Killing, abusing, & torturing each other is not one of them. Proverbs 12:10 A Rightious Man Cares For The Needs of HIS Animals. (Ask yourself, Are you caring for your animals, family, or friends the way God intended?) If not, then today may be a good day to start. Please Judge Mangeot, change your decision to at least make him pay the money and if he doesn't have the money then MAKE him serve the full 6mos. in jail like the animals are going to have to do, due to his actions. May God weigh heavy on Derek Rayborn's heart and those who don't believe animals have feelings too. God Bless you all and God Bless those poor animals too!

5.	Posted by Tamed-Shrew January 24, 2008
	One thing you have to remember: you don't have to have compassion to be an Animal Control Officer. They are basically customer service agents. Most times, these types of officers are sent in to capture stray animals, or to remove injured/dead animals from public areas. They aren't involved in providing rehabilitation, safety, or comfort for the animals they are summoned to handle; their job is only to rid a residence of the animal(s). His sentence, especially in light of this being a REPEAT offense, was inane. However, I don't think his position had anything to do with it, either as an impetus for a lesser or greater sentence. He's just an ignorant cruel guy who took advantage of a pansy judicial system which has no strict stance on animal cruelty.