LISBON — A condition of bond for Heather J. Birkmire, who’s accused of cruelty to animals in the deaths of five horses last year, now includes an amended order for no contact with any livestock besides no contact with companion animals.

Previously, the court paperwork for her bond said she’s not allowed to have contact with any companion animals, prompting the prosecution to file a motion to modify the conditions of her $5,000 recognizance bond to include livestock.

In the motion filed in Columbiana County Municipal Court, county Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Bonish explained that by law, the definition of “companion animal” does not include livestock or any wild animal.

Horses are considered livestock by law, along with mules, cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, alpacas, llamas and other animals.

That’s why the charges against Birkmire, the former operator of Pure Gold Stables and Equestrian Center in Salem Township, are just misdemeanors and not felonies. The felony law known as Goddard’s Law only pertains to companion animals, such as dogs or cats.

“Given that defendant is accused of cruelty to horses, she presents a danger to livestock as well as companion animals. As such, the state asks this court to modify defendant’s bond to prevent her from having contact with companion animals and livestock while this case is pending,” the motion said.

Municipal Court Judge Danielle Menning granted the motion Monday, amending Birkmire’s bond to include the condition that she shall have no contact with any companion animals or livestock.

A pretrial in the case remains set for 9:30 a.m. Aug. 5.

Birkmire entered a not guilty plea last week to five counts of cruelty to animals, a second-degree misdemeanor, and four counts of disposition of dead of destroyed animals violation, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. She had been indicted by the Columbiana County Grand Jury, with the case transferred to Municipal Court since all the charges were misdemeanors.

The indictment alleged that all the incidents related to the charges occurred from May 1, 2024 to Oct. 26, 2025, and alleged for the cruelty charges that Birkmire “did torture an animal, deprive one of necessary sustenance, unnecessarily or cruelly beat, needlessly mutilate or kill, or impound or confine an animal without supplying it during such confinement with a sufficient quantity of good wholesome food and water.”

The other charges dealt with how the bodies of the deceased horses were handled, with four of them found in a round pen in varying stages of decomposition, with some covered by blankets and others confined in stalls on Oct. 27, 2025 at the state Route 45 property.

According to a press release by Columbiana County Prosecutor Vito Abruzzino, “necropsy results confirmed evidence of dehydration and starvation. The skeletal remains of a fifth horse were also recovered from a burn pit on the property.”

A necropsy was not able to be done on the skeletal remains of the the fifth horse.

According to Abruzzino, 570 days in the county jail is the maximum penalty Birkmire could face if convicted on all counts and if the terms for each count are ordered served consecutively.

The possible penalty for the second-degree misdemeanor cruelty to animals charge is up to 90 days per count and a fine of up to $750 per count, or up to 450 days in jail and $3,750 in fines if sentenced to consecutive terms. For the fourth-degree misdemeanor, the possible penalty is up to 30 days in jail for each count and a fine of up to $250 per count, or up to 120 days in jail and $1,000 in fines if ordered served consecutively.

Abruzzino asked previously that if anyone has any information related to this case, they should contact the sheriff’s office detective bureau at 330-424-7255.