Sharon Duttle
Sharon Duttle

LAS CRUCES >> Noting a positive change in her behavior, a state district judge sentenced a Mesquite woman to five years probation Tuesday for dog fighting and cruelty to animals.

Last summer, a jury convicted Sharon Duttle, 51, on numerous related charges, the most serious being nine felonies: dog fighting and extreme animal cruelty. She was also convicted of 12 misdemeanors, nearly all of them for animal cruelty.

Those charges arose in 2009, a year after the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Animal Cruelty Task Force seized 36 pit bulls, 26 cats and two mixed-breed dogs from Duttle's mobile home and surrounding property in Mesquite. Authorities found that some of the dogs owned by Duttle, a former dog breeder and tattoo artist, had their teeth filed flat or sharp, and fighting scars all over their bodies, according to court documents. A forensic veterinarian found signs the dogs had been injected with narcotics often used by dog fighters, authorities said.

Inside Duttle's trash-cluttered and foul smelling home, authorities found dog fighting documents and equipment that can be used to train fighting dogs, court records state.

Tuesday morning, 3rd Judicial District Chief Judge Douglas R. Driggers sentenced Duttle to five years probation, ordering that she pay nearly $40,000 in restitution, perform community service and receive significant counseling. Driggers also forbade Duttle from owning or having contact with any animals -- to the extent she cannot visit friends that have pets or agriculture animals. She agreed to relinquish the custody of five dogs.

Driggers also deferred Duttle's punishment, meaning if the complies with all the court-ordered terms, she can get the charges dismissed.


"You have made improvement," Driggers told her in court. "That's why you're getting a second chance."

But the judge also warned Duttle.

Driggers noted that Duttle had been "extremely angry at the process" during her June trial and had showed scorn for the judicial system.

Prosecutor RoxeAnne Esquibel, arguing against a deferred sentence, said Duttle had shown no remorse or that she was taking responsibility for her actions.

After the trial, Duttle had a diagnostic evaluation which is common in many cases. Driggers referred to that evaluation, saying Duttle had "showed transition in her behavior."

Still, Driggers addressed any lingering ill will Duttle might harbor for the judicial system.

"If there's going to be any chance for you," Driggers said, " ... you have to get over it."

Duttle and one of her sons, Shawn Duttle, still have a federal civil case pending against the Animal Cruelty Task Force, several investigators and the county. The Duttles allege their constitutional rights were violated in that 2008 seizure.

Family and friends have contributed to an online campaign to support Sharon Duttle. Posted to a Facebook account titled "Free Sharon Duttle," are links to numerous websites. One is a petition to investigate animal task forces statewide. Another is a webpage to raise money for her legal defense. She also shared details of her federal civil case and complaints about the public defender representing her in the criminal case.

Sharon Duttle maintained her innocence on that Facebook page on Oct. 21.

Ten people spoke on Sharon Duttle's behalf during Tuesday's sentencing proceeding. She was described as "compassionate for people and animals."

Duttle opted not to speak in court.

"No, you honor, my friends and family have spoken well for me," Duttle said when Driggers asked if she wanted to address the court. "I'm grateful."

James Staley can be reached at 575-541-5476