MARION COUNTY — A 55-year-old Kinmundy man pleaded guilty today in Marion County Court to a felony charge of animal cruelty, in connection with dragging a horse behind his truck in May 2014.

Rodney Hassebrock (Source: MCSO)
Rodney Hassebrock
(Source: MCSO)

Rodney Hassebrock agreed to serve 30 months probation, to not own, possess or care for any animal, and to have no contact with the horse “Doc,” the stables where the horse now lives, or with Colleen Misselbrook who took Doc in and cared for the injuries he suffered at the hands of Hassebrock.

In exchange for Hassebrock’s guilty plea the state dismissed misdemeanor charges of resisting a peace officer and cruelty to animals.

According to reports, Hassebrock tied Doc to the back of his truck and then dragged the horse behind the vehicle, causing the animal serious injuries and leaving a trail of blood in his wake.

When finally confronted about the accusations, Hassebrock reportedly drove away after sheriff’s deputies responded to his home and located the injured animal.

Hassebrock was ultimately taken into custody after his truck became stranded in a field he attempted to cross.
In 2008, Hassebrock was the focus of a case in which he was accused of chasing a family and its children through a field with his truck, following an incident at a party.

A guest at the party testified at the trial that Hassebrock kicked her horse in the stomach. While the family, including the 11 and 13 year-old children, testified about being chased through the field where they had run after Hassebrock began ramming the van they were in that was driven by their mother.

Hassebrock was found not guilty in that case of attempted murder, but was found guilty of felony damage to property and was sentenced to 2-years in prison.

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