Man sentenced for his alleged role in Appomattox County horse deaths

A man charged in connection with a March animal cruelty case in Appomattox County has been sentenced.

Dennis Martin, of Spout Spring, was found guilty on both charges Thursday in Appomattox County:

• Martin pleaded no contest to recklessly leave a loaded and unsecured firearm so as to endanger a child
• He pleaded guilty to willfully contributing to the delinquency of a child

Court records show Martin was sentenced to a total of two years with both years suspended.

We previously reported that a juvenile was arrested and charged after killing five horses, and injuring five others. The juvenile faced felony animal cruelty charges in connection with the incident.

In their investigation, authorities also learned that the same juvenile believed to be involved in this incident also killed a dog.