The president and vice-president of a Lincoln County-basedrescue operation for large hoofed animals were jailed Wednesday oncontempt of court charges relating to a misdemeanor animal crueltyconviction in 2006, authorities said.

Jean Norton, 67, and Beverly Greenwood, 43, of 2274 MallalieuDrive., were arrested at home Wednesday afternoon for failure topay court costs, said Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department Capt.Dustin Bairfield. They were released later that evening when thosecosts were paid.

Bairfield said the pair were warned the fees were more than a yearoverdue when he visited the operation last week and the arrest cameWednesday when no effort was made to pay those costs.

The pair control the day-to-day operations of Choctaw Ridge Farmsin Ruth, which rescues hoofed animals from kill-sale situations, aswell as animals surrendered by individuals.

Norton and Greenwood were convicted in May 2006 of misdemeanoranimal cruelty without criminal intent by Justice Court Judge JudyCase Martin.

“Cruelty to animals is not necessarily an intentional act. A lackof means leads to neglect,” Martin said when issuing her 2006ruling. “I don’t have any doubt you two ladies love those animals.I think you’re hearts are in the right place, but you need to trynot to overload yourselves.”

Martin withheld final judgment in the case, but placed the womenunder six months probation. A veterinarian appointed by the courtmade monthly visits during the probation period to inspect theanimals and ensure they were properly cared for. The women wererequired to implement any changes suggested by the veterinarianwithin a reasonable time period or face further court action.

Martin also ruled the women must pay court costs, but did not levya fine.

The 2006 charge stemmed from a complaint by the Mississippi AnimalRescue League in Jackson to the Lincoln County Sheriff’sDepartment. In the resulting investigation, officers found that”their hearts are bigger than their wallets” and the women wereunable to maintain a proper degree of care for the animals.

The rescue operation was primarily financed by the personal incomeof Norton and Greenwood, who were limited to social security anddisability, and was heavy with debt as the women struggled to payfeed and medical bills for the animals in their possession.