Trial set for local horse owner
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ESCANABA -- A jury trial date has been set for Arnold Proehl, a local horse owner facing 10 misdemeanor counts of animals running at large.
Proehl, 78, appeared in the Delta County 94th District Court Tuesday. On July 15, Proehl pleaded not guilty to 10 misdemeanor counts of animals running at large in four different cases - representing four horses.
At the top of the hearing Tuesday, Delta County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Wickman told 94th District Court Judge Steve Parks she had not heard the final status of the horses' whereabouts prior to Tuesday.
At a previous hearing, Wickman said there was a possibility of signing off on 10 horses to an individual across the state, though she said she needed to do more due diligence related to that person.
Wickman also said she had suggested signing off on the horse to the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter (UPAWS).
On Tuesday, Proehl's attorney, Norman Moore, told Parks he had previously provided Wickman with two phone numbers of individuals with potential knowledge of the horses' status — Proehl’s brother, John; and Earl Lehman, an animal auctioneer from Mid Michigan Horse Auction LLC.
"It's my understanding the horses have been gone since before September 1," Moore told Parks. "I kind of left it to the prosecutor to verify that, because why would they want to take my word for it?"
John was seated in the gallery Tuesday. He reportedly wrote a letter to the court regarding the cases, though the particular details of the letter and John's involvement in the cases were not specified.
Arnold's brother-in-law, Bruce Broman, was also seated in the gallery. Broman told Parks he was present on the property when the horses were removed and Arnold was issued tickets.
Michigan State Police are expected to contact the potential witnesses for further statements.
During the hearing Tuesday, Moore also noted Proehl's declining health, which he said could be an ongoing issue.
Arnold's trial date has been set for Dec. 16 and is expected to only require one day of the court's time. All four of Arnold’s cases are also set to be consolidated for trial.
"I would like to get it taken care of, so it's not a burden to the next judge," Parks concluded.
The charges against Proehl stem from an incident in July, when multiple reports were made to law enforcement about horses roaming roadways and private property in the T.65 Road area of Masonville Township, creating potential traffic and public safety concerns.
The horses reportedly escaped July 3 after being startled by fireworks and breaking through a fence, according to law enforcement. Authorities received reports of the horses on area roads, including U.S. 41, but initially were unable to locate them.
An MSP trooper contacted Proehl the following day after receiving information identifying him as the owner of the horses. Police said Proehl told the trooper he was unaware the horses were missing.
The horses were located at a nearby farm July 5 and later returned to Proehl.
Proehl has a prior felony cruelty conviction stemming from a 2009 case in which 16 horses were removed from a Rapid River farm. Court records also show he was previously charged in several animal-related cases, though those cases were dismissed.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021, ext. 148, or svogelmann@dailypress.net.