Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 03/26/04

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: James Patrick Casey

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

JURY CONVICTS DEFENDANT IN HORSE CRUELTY CASE

On March 23, 2004, a Sonoma County jury convicted Noel Guido-Silva of felony and misdemeanor offenses related to the death of a twenty-three year old Bay Mare named “Gentle Song.” After one day of deliberations, the jury returned verdicts of guilty to one felony count of Cruelty to an Animal, one count of Felony Vandalism, and two misdemeanor violations– one count of Trespass and one count of Hit and Run.

Guido-Silva and a friend, Guzman Herrera, had been drinking alcohol during the late night of April 26, 2003. In separate vehicles, the two drove into a pasture occupied by Gentle Song. The horse was owned by a thirteen year-old girl. They chased the horse with their vehicles until Herrera’s vehicle struck her. The horse was thrown onto the hood and rolled into the passenger door of Guido-Silva’s car. Gentle Song, having sustained severe head trauma and massive blood loss, was left to die. The two suspects were arrested six weeks later, after a reward was posted.

On February 9th, Mr. Herrera pled guilty to three felony counts (Intentionally Killing an Animal, Cruelty to an Animal and Vandalism) and three misdemeanor counts (Trespass, Hit and Run and Providing False Information to a Peace Officer). He is due to be sentenced on March 29th. The sentencing date for Mr. Guido-Silva has been scheduled for April 21st.

Deputy District Attorney James Patrick Casey was the prosecutor and was assisted by District Attorney Investigator Jeannette Rogers, Sonoma County Sheriff Detective Tom Spencer and Animal Regulation Officer Gwen Fry.