Suspects plead not guilty to horse abuse

Two people accused of failing to provide proper food and drink to a 9-month-old colt that later died entered not guilty pleas in Douglas County Court today (Monday).

Pamela Kaye Javenkoski, 47, and Shane Edward Javenkoski, 33, both of South Range are slated for status conferences in front of Judge Michael Lucci on April 7. Pamela Javenkoski faces an additional misdemeanor charge of failing to provide proper shelter for the colt, which she was allegedly boarding for its owner. The colt, dubbed Windchill, was found malnourished and covered in ice and snow at the Javenkoski’s farm on Feb. 9, according to the criminal complaint. That day, wind chills hovered between 40 and 55 degrees below zero.

Kathi Davis and Jeff Tucker of nearby Rain Dance Farms took the colt -- which could not stand and was near death -- back to their farm after the owner called them Feb. 9, according to Douglas County Sheriff’s Department reports.

Veterinarian Steve Meyer could detect no pulse in the colt’s frozen feet during an examination Feb. 12. He recommended the animal be put down.

The colt was making strides toward recovery -- standing, eating and drinking -- before he died Feb. 29.

Half a dozen Windchill supporters attended the initial appearances Monday wearing purple ribbons in honor of the colt.

“Animals should not be treated so poorly,” said JoAnn Paul of Duluth.

“If you look at Windchill’s Web site, you will see a lot of people all over the country wanted to be here today,” said Sara Ward of Duluth. “We were the ones able to be here for Windchill.” She said they hoped to act as the colt’s voice and raise awareness of animal abuse.

“We’re here to show (cries) are not falling on deaf ears,” said Barb Kaskey of Duluth. “We care.”

Pamela Javenkoski, did not appear in court but was represented by attorney Jamy Johansen. Assistant District Attorney Jim Boughner requested a $1,000 signature bond in the case, but Court Commissioner Paul Baxter released Javenkoski to appear without bail. If convicted, she faces up to nine months in jail and $10,000 in fines on each count.

Shane Javenkoski was ordered to provide a $300 signature bond to cover both the Windchill case and a separate case alleging one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct for an incident in February 2007. The failure to provide adequate shelter count carries a maximum penalty of nine months in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.

Tags: farms, raindance, frozen, malnourished, abuse, horse, windchill