Ligertown owners Robert Fieber and Dotti Martin were convicted on Thursday of 13 misdemeanor criminal counts for the way they kept wild animals at their game refuge just outside Lava Hot Springs.
Criminal charges were filed against the couple after a number of African lions escaped around Sept. 20. Eventually, 19 lions were shot to death after some escaped from the ramshackle collection of cages and pens.The surviving lions were taken to a California game preserve, and a veterinarian testified during the trial they are doing well.
More than 40 wolf hybrids were taken to a former wild game ranch in Bonneville County.
A six-person jury was selected in Cassia County because of extensive pretrial publicity in Bannock County. The jury got the case Wednesday afternoon and deliberated 51/2 hours before reaching a verdict.
No immediate sentencing date was set.
The couple was convicted of maintaining a public nuisance, which could bring a fine up to $300 and up to six months in jail.
Martin and Fieber were convicted of nine counts of cruelty to animals, two Bannock County zoning violations and one count of possessing parts from a protected animal, a great horned owl.
Authorities originally filed more than 100 counts, but many of them were dismissed before trial. The jury acquitted Martin and Fieber on two counts of cruelty to animals and one zoning violation.
Martin and Fieber's attorney said they will appeal the verdicts after the sentencing. Magistrate Mark Beebe denied a motion to jail Martin and Fieber pending sentencing.
During closing arguments on Wednesday, Deputy Prosecutor Mark Murphy said there was no question that as owners of the Ligertown property, Fieber and Martin were responsible for maintaining it.
Murphy said the lions and wolf hybrids housed at Ligertown lived in their own feces and urine and in inadequate cages.
Defense attorney Kim Claussen contended the state didn't prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. He said no one knows how or why the lions escaped from Ligertown last September.
He said no lions had ever escaped from Ligertown in the nine years Fieber and Martin operated the exotic animal farm. He said once county deputies took over the compound, Martin and Fieber were not allowed back in to care for the animals.