A Libby man convicted of felony animal cruelty charges earlier this year is back in jail following his alleged failure to follow a number of conditions of release.

Zachary Allen McGuire, 29, originally faced six counts related to the discovery of his starving dogs, “Angel” and “Cinnamon,” in the fall of 2024.

The charges originally included three felony counts of animal cruelty and three misdemeanors, one for animal cruelty and two for dogs running at large. 

In a plea deal on May 23, McGuire agreed to plead guilty to one felony charge of animal cruelty, one misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty and two misdemeanor counts of dogs running at large.

District Judge Matt Cuffe sentenced McGuire on July 7 to two years suspended on the felony count and two years suspended, minus 30 days in the county jail.

Fines that McGuire faced were suspended. He explained to Cuffe that he has a job and his employer has an injury and depends on McGuire. He also said he has limited income and takes care of his children.

Public defender Scott B. Johnson and McGuire devised a schedule for the defendant to serve his time in the county jail. It was not part of the plea deal, but Deputy County Attorney Lauren O'Neill did not oppose the plan. McGuire said he has arranged for someone to take care of his kids while he's in jail.

The schedule for his incarceration includes July 13-19, July 27-Aug. 9 and Aug. 17-25.

"I appreciate the court allowing me to keep my job and that I can move forward," McGuire said.

But court documents by Probation and Parole officer Alice Rhodes indicate McGuire violation his terms of release by using drugs, not showing up for one of his jail terms and failing to attend multiple check-ins.

In Rhodes’ report, she wrote that he admitted on July 8 to taking someone else’s Adderall prescription and used marijuana to celebrate that he wasn’t in jail. McGuire then had to wear a drug patch.

McGuire also failed to report to the county jail July 27 to serve another part of his sentence. 

Rhodes also alleged McGuire didn’t check in July 23 and July 29. She spoke with McGuire July 31 and ordered him to appear, but he didn’t. Probation officers attempted home checks on two occasions, but McGuire was not present. They also learned he moved from his residence, but didn’t notify them of a new address.

A $25,000 bench warrant was issued Aug. 7 for McGuire’s arrest and he was picked up recently.

Following his arraignment Dec. 16, 2024, McGuire was released from custody on his own recognizance. Part of his release terms say he is not permitted to possess any animal.

According to the narrative by Lincoln County Sheriff Deputy Andrew Smith in the charging document, he was patrolling Sept. 16 in the area of Farm to Market Road and Wards Road when he saw two dogs running loose in the 100 block of Wards Road.

Smith reported one of the dogs appeared to be extremely emaciated. Smith loaded the dog, “Angel,” into his vehicle and went to a residence on Wards Road where the other dog had run. The property owner said the dogs belonged to McGuire, who was staying on his land.

The deputy left his business card with the property owner and took the dog to the county animal shelter. McGuire called Deputy Smith later that evening and said he wasn’t able to come up with the money to take proper care of the dogs.

The next day, Sept. 17, Smith took “Angel” to Treasure Valley Veterinary Clinic for an exam.

The dog weighed 29.6 pounds and Dr. Griffiths said the dog was extremely emaciated, suffered from an obvious loss of muscle mass, both ears were infected and may have a cancerous tumor on her left mammary gland.

Later that day, Deputy Smith met with McGuire at his residence and the defendant brought out a second dog, “Cinnamon.” It appeared to be just as emaciated as “Angel.” McGuire surrendered both dogs to the county. He said he hadn’t taken either dog to the vet for medical care.

When the deputy took “Cinnamon” to the vet clinic, it weighed 26.6 pounds, was also extremely emaciated, suffered from an obvious loss of muscle mass and had to have a rotten tooth extracted. In addition, an x-ray of the dog showed 10 large bladder stones.

Dr. Griffiths told Deputy Smith there was an absolute need for veterinary care for both dogs. Photographs of the dogs attached to the charging document showed them in an extremely emaciated condition with their ribs showing clearly under the skin.

McGuire was cited for failing to provide enough food and water to sustain the animal’s health and failing to obtain appropriate medical care.