Libby man pleads guilty to trespassing in dog kidnapping case

The cases of two Libby residents accused of breaking into the county animal shelter and stealing a dog are currently being heard in Lincoln County District Court.

Ronald Edward Ringsbye, 59, pleaded not guilty to one count of burglary in July.

But on August 19, Ringsbye pleaded guilty to an amended charge of trespassing, a misdemeanor. District Judge Matt Cuffe gave the man a six-month suspended sentence. Ringsbye received credit for the 27 days he served in county jail.

He must pay an $85 fine, but Cuffe suspended a $500 fine. If Ringsbye does not get into further legal trouble during his probation, he will not have to pay the fine. He has been out of custody since last month after his attorney, S. Charles Sprinkle, requested release on parole.

The other defendant in the case, Michelle Lynne Yeager, 54, is also charged with burglary. She is free after posting $25,000 bail on June 18. Yeager appeared in District Court on Monday, July 1, and pleaded not guilty. At a hearing on August 19, her attorney, Ben Kolter, and District Attorney Lauren O'Neill agreed that a potential trial would last two days.

County Sheriff Andrew Smith and County Detective Brandon Holzer investigated the case and O'Neill filed charges.

According to Smith's report, he went to the Tobacco Valley Animal Shelter on the morning of June 10 after an employee called to say the building had been broken into and a dog stolen. The employee showed Smith a window that had a metal screen removed and where she believed someone had entered the building.

The employee also showed Smith an empty kennel that had previously housed a dog named “Shep.” The dog had bitten a person on May 27 and was turned over to the county. Smith said Yeager understood that “Shep” would be euthanized.

Smith also reported that he met with Yeager at the shelter on June 3 to release another dog, “Cookie,” who the court had deemed a vicious dog. Smith said Yeager asked him if she could take “Shep” home. The officer said he could not do that because the dog had bitten several times.

Michelle was upset and Smith reported that “Shep” was scheduled to be euthanized on June 11. Smith retrieved surveillance video footage from June 10 from 5:10 a.m. to 5:15 a.m. He said he saw an unknown man, later identified as Ringsbye, in the kennel area where “Shep” was. He also reported seeing a woman he believed to be Yeager, although she was wearing a hat and hood that obscured her face.

Smith reported that Yeager had been aggressive toward him and shelter staff since Shep was brought to the shelter.

The officer reported that the dog recognized the woman and, based on its body language, was excited and happy to see her. Additional video footage shows a vehicle parked across Pipe Creek Road that Smith believed Yeager was driving.

Det. Holzer spoke with Yeager after she was arrested on June 13 for allegedly breaking into the homeless shelter. According to Holzer, Yeager said Ringsbye removed a screen, entered the building and opened the door for her.

Yeager allegedly admitted to taking her dog because she wanted it to be euthanized on her terms. She said her husband euthanized the dog at her favorite berry patch in the woods.

A conviction for burglary can result in a 20-year sentence in the Montana State Prison.