DA 13-0151

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

2014 MT 206

STATE OF MONTANA,

 Plaintiff and Appellee,

 v.

MICHAEL KURT CHILINSKI,

 Defendant and Appellant.

APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Fifth Judicial District,

In and For the County of Jefferson, Cause No. DC 11-45

Honorable Loren Tucker, Presiding Judge

COUNSEL OF RECORD:

For Appellant:

Wade Zolynski, Chief Appellate Defender, Koan Mercer, Assistant 

Appellate Defender, Helena, Montana

For Appellee:

Timothy C. Fox, Montana Attorney General, Katie F. Schulz, Assistant 

Attorney General, Helena, Montana 

Matthew Johnson, Jefferson County Attorney, Boulder, Montana 

For Amicus Curiae:

William R. Sherman, Nicole B. Neuman, Stijn Van Osch, Latham & 

Watkins, PLLP, Washington, D.C.

(Pro hac vice Attorneys for the Humane Society of the United States)

David K.W. Wilson, Jr., Robert Farris-Olsen, Morrison, Sherwood, 

Wilson & Deola, PLLP, Helena, Montana 

(Attorneys for the Humane Society of the United States)

Submitted on Briefs: May 28, 2014

 Decided: August 5, 2014

Filed:

__________________________________________

Clerk

August 5 2014
2

Justice Laurie McKinnon delivered the Opinion of the Court.

¶1 Michael Chilinski appeals from his conviction and sentence in the Fifth Judicial 

District Court, Jefferson County, on 91 counts of animal cruelty. We affirm.

¶2 We restate the issues on appeal as follows:

¶3 1. Did the District Court err in denying Chilinski’s motion to suppress?

¶4 2. Did the District Court abuse its discretion in limiting evidence to the time 

period of the charged offenses?

¶5 3. Did the District Court abuse its discretion in ordering the forfeiture of all of 

Chilinski’s dogs?

BACKGROUND

¶6 In June 2011, Angelica Sarago reported to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

(JCSO) that Chilinski’s residence had a large Malamute breeding operation. Sarago 

reported that she had gone to the residence near Jefferson City to purchase a puppy and 

found that more than 100 dogs were in poor health and the kennels were in poor 

condition. Law enforcement investigating the call went to Chilinski’s residence and 

observed the kennels were in poor condition. There was an extreme amount of feces 

(primarily diarrhea), the dogs were matted and ungroomed, there was little food, and the 

dogs did not have clean water. Further, there was a dead dog in one of the kennels. Law 

enforcement left the residence, instructing Chilinski to clean up the facility.

¶7 On September 15, 2011, JCSO received another report from Carole and Bill 

Peterson that Chilinski was neglecting his dogs. Chilinski had just sold the Petersons a 

Malamute puppy, which Bill Peterson testified was filthy and had a distended belly. 
3

Also, the puppy’s hip bones and spine were visible through her fur. Peterson chose to 

purchase the puppy despite her unhealthy appearance because he “felt that if [they] did 

not purchase that dog that it would die.” A veterinarian diagnosed the puppy as 

malnourished, failing to thrive, and infected with various parasites. 

¶8 Chilinski had bred Malamutes for many years, at first as a hobby and later as his 

primary occupation. Over the prior two years, JCSO had received similar reports from 

other concerned citizens. In 2009, Chilinski consented to an inspection of his kennels by 

a veterinarian sent by JCSO. Chilinski maintains that he passed this inspection, although 

such evidence is not in the record. In 2010, the Humane Society of the United States 

(HSUS) contacted JCSO about reports that HSUS had received concerning Chilinski’s 

kennels. JCSO discussed with HSUS Chilinski’s operation. HSUS informed JCSO that 

members of its organization would be available to assist with the situation if needed. As 

JCSO continued to receive complaints, Deputy Hildebrand visited Chilinski’s property in 

both June and August 2011 to conduct further investigation. Hildebrand videotaped these 

visits. 

¶9 In October 2011, Deputy McFadden applied for and obtained a warrant to search 

Chilinski’s kennels and home. The search warrant was issued to McFadden and “any and 

all agents he may require.” The warrant described the evidence to be seized as including

“any and all dogs, living or deceased, and unborn,” as well as “any and all records 

pertaining to dogs within the premises including veterinarian bills and records.” The 

warrant also authorized the State to microchip each animal for the sake of maintaining 
4

accurate records and identification, “[d]ue to the extensive number of dogs that may be 

found.” 

¶10 McFadden testified that JCSO did not have an animal control officer or sufficient 

staff to properly and safely execute the warrant, due to the large number of dogs which 

were potentially sick, injured, and aggressive. Accordingly, JCSO contacted HSUS for 

assistance and for input on the logistics of executing the warrant. After speaking with the 

county attorney, JCSO provided HSUS with the videos taken by Hildebrand in June and 

August 2011 of Hildebrand’s visits to Chilinski’s property so that HSUS might 

understand the nature and scope of the situation. 

¶11 Following issuance of the warrant, JCSO and the county attorney conducted a 

meeting to organize the execution of the warrant and to seek assistance from several 

groups of volunteers. JCSO implemented protocols which were explained to the 

volunteers. The volunteers did not sign confidentiality agreements, but were advised by 

JCSO that they were assisting law enforcement and were expected to bring all evidence 

to a law enforcement officer. Volunteers were instructed to turn over any photographs or 

videos to the county attorney. 

¶12 JCSO received assistance from law enforcement in neighboring jurisdictions, 

HSUS, local animal shelter volunteers, and two volunteer veterinarians. The 

veterinarians provided professional opinions about the health and welfare of the dogs, the 

conditions of the kennels, and whether proper food and water was available, and 

concluded that the kennels were not suitable for any of the dogs. Upon executing the 

warrant, law enforcement observed that the kennels were full of feces with no sign of 
5

food or fresh water, and many of the kennels were too small. Of the 139 dogs examined, 

35 were extremely underweight, 49 were underweight, and 30 showed signs of 

malnourishment. Many of the dogs had visible scars or other injuries, including missing 

or damaged ears. Several required immediate veterinary attention for distended 

abdomens, ear and eye infections, and open wounds. The dogs were systematically 

removed to a controlled environment where they were fully examined to determine the 

extent of their illnesses and injuries. McFadden videotaped the property and kennels 

prior to any dog being seized, and he photographed each dog as it was being seized. 

Volunteers primarily assisted in the collection of the dogs. Other types of evidence—

including cameras, paperwork, photographs, and a computer—were seized by law 

enforcement officers. Throughout the search, McFadden managed the volunteers by 

maintaining volunteer rosters, directing volunteers, and holding meetings to ensure 

everyone knew the proper procedures. JCSO seized 139 adult dogs and 23 puppies. 

¶13 On October 18, 2011, Chilinski was charged with one misdemeanor count of 

cruelty to animals and 91 counts of felony cruelty to animals pursuant to § 45-8-211, 

MCA. Chilinski moved to suppress evidence obtained from the search on Fourth 

Amendment grounds, including: the warrant was not supported by sufficient and reliable 

facts; the warrant was overbroad; and the participation of volunteers was unconstitutional 

under Wilson v. Layne, 526 U.S. 603, 119 S. Ct. 1692 (1999). Chilinski also argued that 

JCSO violated his fundamental right to privacy under Article II, Section 10 of the 

Montana Constitution by impermissibly disseminating confidential criminal justice 
6

information in violation of § 44-5-303, MCA, and by allowing volunteers to aid in the 

execution of the warrant. 

¶14 A two-day evidentiary hearing on Chilinski’s motion was held. The District Court 

denied the motion to suppress, concluding that probable cause was well established. 

During the hearing, the State moved to exclude the presentation of evidence at trial 

regarding the condition of Chilinski’s property and kennels prior to June 2011, the date of 

the first complaint. The District Court granted the State’s request to limit evidence to the 

time period from June 2011 forward, unless Chilinski could establish relevance of the 

2009 investigation. On the first day of trial, Chilinski consequently argued that he should 

be allowed to present evidence from the 2009 investigation, including the testimony of 

the veterinarian who inspected Chilinski’s kennels at that time. Chilinski maintained that 

the evidence was relevant because it established “justification” for neglect in 2011, when 

he was facing financial difficulties and health issues, by comparing the condition of the 

kennels in 2009 when Chilinski was free of financial difficulty and health issues. The 

court denied Chilinski’s motion, stating:

The only explanation that’s provided here is that Defendant would like to 

present evidence about a time which is not relevant to the time period in 

which [these] offenses . . . were charged. As I’ve explained here, the Court 

is unable to ascertain how it is that Mr. Chilinski’s either good conduct or 

poor conduct at a previous time, that is, a time before 2011 and specifically 

before June 2011, would tell the jury any probative information about the 

condition of his kennels in June 2011 and later. 

The District Court explained, however, that it would not limit Chilinski’s ability to 

present evidence and argument that his economic and medical adversity provided the 

justification for the condition of the animals. 
7

¶15 Chilinski was convicted by a jury of 91 counts of animal cruelty. The court 

sentenced Chilinski to the Department of Corrections for a total of 30 years with 25 years 

suspended, and imposed a prohibition on Chilinski’s possessing any animals while on 

probation. The District Court also ordered the forfeiture of every seized dog, as well as 

the puppies born after the execution of the warrant. 

STANDARDS OF REVIEW

¶16 In reviewing an order granting or denying a motion to suppress, we determine 

whether the district court’s findings of fact are clearly erroneous and whether those 

findings were correctly applied as a matter of law. State v. Dawson, 1999 MT 171, ¶ 13, 

295 Mont. 212, 983 P.2d 916 (citing State v. Parker, 1998 MT 6, ¶ 17, 287 Mont. 151, 

953 P.2d 692; State v. Roberts, 284 Mont. 54, 56, 943 P.2d 1249, 1250 (1997)). We 

review a district court’s evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion. State v. Schmidt, 

2009 MT 450, ¶ 27, 354 Mont. 280, 224 P.3d 618 (citing State v. Damon, 2005 MT 218, 

¶ 12, 328 Mont. 276, 119 P.3d 1194). We exercise plenary review of constitutional 

issues. State v. Hantz, 2013 MT 311, ¶ 18, 372 Mont. 281, 311 P.3d 800. 

DISCUSSION

¶17 As an initial matter, Chilinski argues that the animal cruelty statute, § 45-8-211, 

MCA, is void for vagueness, and that the District Court violated his due process rights by 

failing to give a specific unanimity jury instruction. Chilinski concedes that he did not 

properly preserve these arguments for appeal and asks that we review them on the merits 

under the plain error doctrine. 
8

¶18 We conduct plain error review “sparingly, on a case-by-case basis,” and require 

the defendant to establish: (1) that the alleged error implicates a fundamental right; and 

(2) that failing to review the claimed error would result in a manifest miscarriage of 

justice, leave unsettled the question of the fundamental fairness of the trial, or 

compromise the integrity of the judicial process. State v. Evans, 2012 MT 115, ¶ 25, 365 

Mont. 163, 280 P.3d 871 (citing State v. Wilson, 2011 MT 277, ¶ 28, 362 Mont. 416, 264 

P.3d 1146; State v. Gunderson, 2010 MT 166, ¶¶ 99-100, 357 Mont. 142, 237 P.3d 74);

see also State v. Norman, 2010 MT 253, ¶ 17, 358 Mont. 252, 244 P.3d 737. “‘[A] mere 

assertion that constitutional rights are implicated or that failure to review the claimed 

error may result in a manifest miscarriage of justice is insufficient to implicate the plain 

error doctrine.’” Evans, ¶ 25 (quoting Gunderson, ¶ 100).

¶19 Regarding Chilinski’s constitutional challenge to the animal cruelty statute, we 

construe a statute “to avoid an unconstitutional interpretation whenever possible.” State 

v. Roundstone, 2011 MT 227, ¶ 12, 362 Mont. 74, 261 P.3d 1009. Chilinski has not 

presented an argument concerning § 45-8-211, MCA, that overcomes the presumption of 

its constitutionality. Moreover, we are not persuaded that failing to review Chilinski’s 

claim of unconstitutionality would result in a manifest miscarriage of justice, as the 

evidence was overwhelming to prove both the substantive acts of cruelty and that they 

were “without justification.” Concerning the jury instructions, the record shows the 

following: the parties stipulated to a pattern jury instruction on the requirement of a 

unanimous verdict, the verdict form instructed the jury to “return unanimous verdicts on 

each count,” and the District Court further explained that the jury must “reach a 
9

unanimous verdict on each count individually and separately.” In light of this record, 

Chilinski’s argument that the failure to give a specific unanimity instruction calls into 

question the fundamental fairness of the entire trial is unpersuasive. Although both of 

these unpreserved claims implicate a fundamental right, Chilinski has failed to establish

that the failure to review these claims would result in a manifest miscarriage of justice, 

leave unsettled the question of the fundamental fairness of the trial or proceedings, or 

compromise the integrity of the judicial process. See State v. Taylor, 2010 MT 94, ¶ 14,

356 Mont. 167, 231 P.3d 79 (citing State v. Finley, 276 Mont. 126, 137, 915 P.2d 208, 

215 (1996)). As a result, we decline to apply the plain error doctrine to reach the merits 

of either of these issues.

¶20 Issue One: Did the District Court err in denying Chilinski’s motion to suppress?

¶21 Chilinski argues that the District Court erred in denying his motion to suppress for 

three reasons: (1) the search warrant was unconstitutionally overbroad, (2) volunteers 

impermissibly aided in the execution of the search warrant, and (3) JCSO impermissibly 

disseminated confidential criminal justice information in violation of § 44-5-303, MCA. 

¶22 First, Chilinski maintains that the warrant’s direction to seize “any and all dogs” 

and “any and all records pertaining to dogs” is impermissibly overbroad in violation of 

the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 11 of the 

Montana Constitution. The Fourth Amendment and Article II, Section 11 require, in part, 

that a search warrant particularly describe the items it authorizes to be seized. However, 

“[t]he specificity required of a search warrant may vary depending on the circumstances 

of the case and the type of items involved.” State v. Seader, 1999 MT 290, ¶ 13, 297 
10

Mont. 60, 990 P.2d 180. “Generic categories or general descriptions of items are not 

necessarily invalid if a more precise description of the items to be seized is not possible.” 

Seader, ¶ 13 (citing U.S. v. Spilotro, 800 F.2d 959, 963 (9th Cir. 1986); State v. Perrone, 

834 P.2d 611, 616 (Wash. 1992)). In denying Chilinski’s motion to suppress, the District 

Court found that the search warrant “particularly described what was to be seized.” We 

agree. Under the circumstances, it was not possible for the warrant to provide for a more 

precise description of the dogs and records relating to the dogs due to the sheer size of 

Chilinski’s operation. Chilinski himself was unsure of the exact number of dogs that he 

owned. The record shows that the warrant did not permit, as Chilinski claims, a “general 

exploratory rummaging” in Chilinski’s belongings, Seader, ¶ 11 (citing Coolidge v. N.H., 

403 U.S. 443, 467, 91 S. Ct. 2022, 2038 (1971)); rather, it enabled JCSO to “reasonably 

ascertain and identify the things which [were] authorized to be searched,” Seader, ¶ 12 

(citing Perrone, 834 P.2d at 615). As such, we hold that the search warrant was not

unconstitutionally overbroad.

¶23 Second, Chilinski takes issue with the volunteer assistance provided in the 

execution of the search warrant. Relying on the Fourth Amendment claim discussed in 

Wilson v. Layne, 526 U.S. 603, 119 S. Ct. 1692 (1999), and on Article II, Section 11,

Chilinski maintains that it is unconstitutional for law enforcement to allow the presence 

of third parties acting for private purposes in the execution of a warrant. Chilinski argues

that HSUS volunteers were acting for private purposes, thereby impermissibly exceeding 

the scope of the warrant. As a result, Chilinski claims that the exclusionary rule must 

apply to all evidence that was developed by the volunteers. The State correctly notes, 
11

however, that Wilson is easily distinguishable from the instant case. In Wilson, law 

enforcement invited a newspaper reporter and photographer on a “media ride-along”

when the search warrant was executed. Wilson, 526 U.S. at 606-07, 119 S. Ct. at 

1695-96. Law enforcement did not solicit the assistance of the reporters prior to 

executing the warrant, and the reporters did not participate in the execution of the warrant 

other than to document the event via photographs. In the civil suit that followed, the 

government attempted to justify its “media ride-along” policy in part by arguing that the 

presence of the media could help publicize its efforts to combat crime. Wilson, 526 U.S. 

at 612, 119 S. Ct. at 1698. The United States Supreme Court responded that “[s]urely the 

possibility of good public relations for the police is simply not enough, standing alone, to 

justify the ride-along intrusion into a private home.” Wilson, 526 U.S. at 613, 119 S. Ct. 

at 1698. The Supreme Court thus concluded that the reporters were acting solely for 

private purposes, and explained that “although the presence of third parties during the 

execution of a warrant may in some circumstances be constitutionally permissible . . . the 

presence of these third parties was not.” Wilson, 526 U.S. at 613, 119 S. Ct. at 1699

(emphasis in original).

¶24 In the instant case, the record shows that HSUS and other volunteers were clearly 

not acting solely for private purposes. Despite Chilinski’s claims that HSUS only 

became involved in order to pursue the private agenda of publicizing the cause of HSUS, 

the record shows that the volunteers, unlike the reporters in Wilson, provided invaluable 

aid in collecting and inventorying evidence under the direct supervision of law 

enforcement. As stated above, JCSO did not have an animal control officer, or any other 
12

staff member with knowledge or experience in safely seizing, examining, and placing 

well over 100 large dogs.

¶25 Further, as the State correctly notes, the warrant was directed to McFadden and 

“any and all agents he may require” in executing the warrant. Section 46-5-226, MCA, 

directly authorizes civilians to aid in serving a warrant by stating: “A search warrant must 

in all cases be served by the peace officer specifically named and by no other person 

except in aid of the officer when the officer is present and acting in its service.” The 

record shows that the volunteers did indeed aid and act in the service of JCSO, and that 

McFadden was present and managing the volunteers throughout the execution of the 

warrant. Chilinski does not argue that volunteers seized any evidence, much less 

evidence outside of that which was particularly described by the warrant. Instead, he 

argues that the mere presence of the volunteers impermissibly exceeded the scope of the 

warrant. Such an argument is contrary to the provisions of § 46-5-226, MCA, and the 

specific provisions of the instant warrant, and improperly suggests that JCSO could have 

safely and timely executed this warrant without the assistance of volunteers with 

specialized knowledge. Thus, we hold that the participation of volunteers in the 

execution of the search warrant did not violate Chilinski’s Fourth Amendment or

Article II, Section 11 rights.

¶26 Finally, Chilinski claims that the presence of volunteers violated his right to 

privacy under Article II, Section 10 of the Montana Constitution. Specifically, Chilinski 

argues that JSCO violated § 44-5-303, MCA, which generally prohibits the dissemination 

of confidential criminal justice information, when it allowed non-law enforcement 
13

personnel to assist in executing the warrant and thereby to have access to Chilinski’s 

property and other purported confidential criminal justice information. Chilinski further 

maintains that JCSO impermissibly disseminated confidential criminal justice 

information when it sent copies of the two videos taken by McFadden in June and August 

2011 to HSUS representatives. Section 44-5-303(1), MCA, provides that “dissemination 

of confidential criminal justice information is restricted to criminal justice agencies, to 

those authorized by law to receive it, and to those authorized to receive it by a district 

court upon a written finding that the demands of individual privacy do not clearly exceed 

the merits of public disclosure.” As discussed above, the warrant was specifically 

directed to McFadden and “any and all agents [McFadden] may require.” Thus, in 

considering §§ 44-5-303 and 46-5-226, MCA, together with the circumstances of this

particular warrant, we conclude that, to the extent there was confidential criminal justice 

information disseminated, the volunteers were authorized by law to receive such 

information in order to safely and timely execute the warrant.1

¶27 Issue Two: Did the District Court abuse its discretion in limiting evidence to the 

time period of the charged offenses?

¶28 Chilinski argues that the District Court abused its discretion when it improperly

determined that the results of an investigation of his kennels in 2009 were irrelevant 

pursuant to M. R. Evid. 403. Chilinski maintains that the exclusion of this evidence

deprived him of his constitutional right to present a defense. Under M. R. Evid. 403, “the 

 

1

The State raises a credible argument that even if JCSO had violated § 44-5-303, MCA, 

the proper remedy would not be the application of the exclusionary rule but, rather, a sanction as 

specifically provided by §§ 44-2-205 and -112, MCA. We need not decide this argument, 

however, given our analysis above.
14

determination of admissibility is within the discretion of the trial judge and will not be 

disturbed unless there is manifest abuse of discretion.” State v. Hall, 244 Mont. 161, 170, 

797 P.2d 183, 189 (1990) (citing Krueger v. Gen. Motors Corp., 240 Mont. 266, 275, 783 

P.2d 1340, 1346 (1989); Zeke’s Distrib. Co. v. Brown-Forman Corp., 239 Mont. 272, 779

P.2d 908 (1989)). “A court abuses its discretion when it acts arbitrarily without 

employing conscientious judgment or exceeds the bounds of reason, resulting in 

substantial injustice.” State v. Criswell, 2013 MT 177, ¶ 42, 370 Mont. 511, 305 P.3d 

760. 

¶29 Chilinski maintains that evidence of the 2009 kennel inspection was relevant to 

demonstrate that the conditions of the kennels and dogs in 2011 were justified due to 

Chilinski’s financial hardship and health issues which, in contrast, were absent in 2009. 

When Chilinski moved to admit evidence of the 2009 inspection during trial, a lengthy 

discussion ensued in which the District Court questioned the relevance of the inspection. 

The District Court also pointed out that if Chilinski introduced the 2009 inspection, it 

would open the door to the State introducing a number of complaints it had received 

about the condition of Chilinski’s kennel during that time as well. In concluding that the 

2009 inspection was not relevant, the District Court explained:

In the event that Mr. Chilinski wishes to provide information to the jury 

that he was suffering financial reverses or economic hard times during that 

period [i.e., in 2011] which would prevent him from having conducted 

things the way apparently he would prefer to have done, then he may do so; 

but the Court is simply unable to ascertain any kind of cogent connection 

between a time period when conduct has not been charged, and the time 

period when offenses are charged. 
15

It is notable that Chilinski nonetheless testified that the 2009 inspection occurred. 

Chilinski also testified at length about his financial hardships and his health issues 

including a serious foot injury that made it difficult to care for the dogs. Thus, the record 

shows that the District Court carefully considered Chilinski’s motion and that Chilinski 

was allowed to present evidence of justification. Chilinski has, therefore, failed to meet 

his burden in demonstrating that the District Court’s actions were arbitrary or exceeded 

the bounds of reason, resulting in substantial injustice. 

¶30 Issue Three: Did the District Court abuse its discretion in ordering the forfeiture 

of all of Chilinski’s dogs?

¶31 Section 45-8-211, MCA, provides the penalty for those found guilty of cruelty to 

animals as follows:

(2)(a) A person convicted of the offense of cruelty to animals shall 

be fined an amount not to exceed $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail 

for a term not to exceed 1 year, or both. A person convicted of a second or 

subsequent offense of cruelty to animals or of a first or subsequent offense 

of aggravated animal cruelty shall be fined an amount not to exceed $2,500 

or be sentenced to the department of corrections for a term not to exceed 

2 years, or both.

(b) If the convicted person is the owner, the person may be required 

to forfeit any animal affected to the county in which the person is 

convicted. This provision does not affect the interest of any secured party 

or other person who has not participated in the offense.

(c) For the purposes of this subsection (2), when more than one 

animal is subject to cruelty to animals, each act may comprise a separate 

offense.

(3) In addition to the sentence provided in subsection (2), the court:

. . .

(c) shall prohibit or limit the defendant’s ownership, possession, or 

custody of animals, as the court believes appropriate during the term of the 

sentence.
16

¶32 Chilinski does not argue that the dogs found to be victims of animal cruelty were 

improperly forfeited. Rather, he maintains that the District Court was not authorized to 

order forfeiture of Chilinski’s dogs which were not identified as victims of animal 

cruelty. He continues that the State failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that each 

of the uncharged dogs was “affected” by Chilinski’s actions pursuant to § 45-8-211(2)(b), 

MCA, and therefore the forfeiture of the uncharged dogs constitutes an impermissible 

increase in his sentence in violation of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S. Ct. 

2348 (2000). Chilinski additionally argues that the forfeiture was procedurally improper 

because his property was disposed of without giving Chilinski the value of the dogs, or 

allowing Chilinski himself to give the dogs away. 

¶33 The Court’s first step in interpreting a statute is to look at its plain language. State 

v. Letasky, 2007 MT 51, ¶ 11, 336 Mont. 178, 152 P.3d 1288. “In the construction of a 

statute, the office of the judge is simply to ascertain and declare what is in terms or in 

substance contained therein, not to insert what has been omitted or to omit what has been 

inserted.” Section 1-2-101, MCA. If legislative intent can be determined by the plain 

meaning of the words, the Court may go no further in applying any other meaning or 

interpretation. State v. Booth, 2012 MT 40, ¶ 11, 364 Mont. 190, 272 P.3d 89 (citing 

State v. Stiffarm, 2011 MT 9, ¶ 12, 359 Mont. 116, 250 P.3d 300). 

¶34 The plain language of § 45-8-211(2)(b), MCA, does not limit the animals that may 

be forfeited to only those which served as the underlying basis for the substantive 

charges. The statute specifically provides that “any animal affected” may be forfeited

(emphasis added). At sentencing, the State argued that the uncharged dogs were also 
17

affected, citing evidence that all dogs suffered from a lack of adequate food, water, and 

infestations of diseases and parasites. The State also argued that nearly half of the 

puppies born to seized pregnant dogs died and that this supported the conclusion that all 

the dogs were affected by Chilinski’s neglect. It is notable that several other jurisdictions 

allow for the forfeiture of any animal owned by a person convicted of animal cruelty, not 

just an animal knowingly or negligently mistreated or neglected. See State v. Sheets, 677 

N.E.2d 818 (Ohio 1996) (the trial court did not abuse its discretion in requiring the 

defendant to forfeit 122 horses even though the defendant was convicted of animal 

cruelty charges regarding only 10 of the horses); State v. Barker, 714 N.E.2d 447 (Ohio 

1998) (a defendant convicted of animal cruelty may be required to forfeit all animals as a 

condition of probation, including those animals that were not the victims of the animal 

cruelty charges); Stephens v. State, 545 S.E.2d 325 (Ga. 2001) (the trial court did not 

abuse its discretion in requiring the defendant to forfeit 34 dogs, including 9 later-born 

puppies, even though the defendant was convicted of animal cruelty charges regarding 

only 17 of the dogs). Thus, the District Court’s forfeiture requirement was authorized by 

the statute. 

¶35 Additionally, Chilinski’s Apprendi argument is misplaced. Apprendi dealt with 

aggravating factors in a crime, and held that “any fact that increases the penalty for a 

crime beyond the prescribed statutory maximum must be submitted to a jury, and proved 

beyond a reasonable doubt.” 530 U.S. at 490, 120 S. Ct. at 2362-63. Chilinski relies 

heavily on the Supreme Court’s more recent decision in Southern Union Co. v. United 

States, ___ U.S. ___, 132 S. Ct. 2344 (2012), for the proposition that a jury must find 
18

beyond a reasonable doubt that an animal was “affected” for purposes of forfeiture under 

§ 45-8-211(2)(b), MCA. The Supreme Court held in Libretti v. United States, 516 U.S. 

29, 49, 116 S. Ct. 356, 367-68 (1995), however, that the Sixth Amendment does not 

require a jury verdict on criminal forfeitures. The Supreme Court has not overruled 

Libretti. Furthermore, criminal forfeiture statutes prescribe no minimum or maximum 

punishments, which are the primary focus of Apprendi and its progeny. As the federal 

courts have recognized,

Apprendi has no effect on criminal forfeiture proceedings because forfeiture 

provisions have no statutory maximum. Apprendi’s statutory maximum is

supplied by the statute of conviction . . . . The criminal forfeiture 

provisions do not include a statutory maximum; they are open-ended in that 

all property representing proceeds of illegal activity is subject to forfeiture.

U.S. v. Messino, 382 F.3d 704, 713 (7th Cir. 2004); accord U.S. v. Fruchter, 411 F.3d 

377, 383 (2d Cir. 2005); U.S. v. Sigillito, No. 13-1027, ___ F.3d ___, 2014 U.S. App. 

LEXIS 13729, at *48-49 (8th Cir. Jan. 13, 2014). In Sigillito, the Eighth Circuit cites 

numerous decisions holding that Southern Union does not apply to criminal forfeitures 

and that the right to a jury verdict on forfeitability does not fall within the Sixth 

Amendment’s constitutional protection. The Court of Appeals explains that

a judge cannot exceed his constitutional authority by imposing a 

punishment beyond the statutory maximum if there is no statutory 

maximum. Criminal forfeiture is, simply put, a different animal from 

determinate sentencing. . . . Thus, although criminal forfeitures are like 

fines in that they constitute punishment, they are unlike the fine in Southern 

Union that involved a statutory maximum amount.

Sigillito, 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 13729, at *49 (brackets, citations, and internal quotation 

marks omitted). Accordingly, Chilinski’s claim under Apprendi fails.
19

¶36 Finally, in enacting § 45-8-211(2)(b) and (3)(c), MCA, the Legislature granted 

district courts authority to exercise discretion in imposing the requirement of forfeiture. 

We review the reasonableness of sentencing conditions for an abuse of discretion. State 

v. Ashby, 2008 MT 83, ¶ 9, 342 Mont. 187, 179 P.3d 1164. In State v. Zimmerman, 2010 

MT 44, 355 Mont. 286, 228 P.3d 1109, we considered the imposition of a sentencing 

condition pursuant to §§ 46-18-201(4)(o) and -202(1)(f), MCA (2009), as it related to the 

ownership of animals. Zimmerman dealt with a defendant found guilty of maintaining a 

public nuisance by feeding and keeping various pets inside a dilapidated house, and also 

feeding a group of feral cats outside the house. Zimmerman, ¶ 3. Zimmerman’s deferred 

imposition of his sentence required him to remove his indoor pets from the county. 

Zimmerman, ¶ 10. Zimmerman challenged the legality of this sentencing condition, and 

on appeal we upheld the trial court, stating that “[c]onditions imposed by a district court 

must relate to rehabilitation or protection of society within the particular context of an 

offender’s crime or the unique background, characteristics, or conduct of the offender. 

Zimmerman, ¶ 17 (citations omitted). We concluded that the removal of the pets was

reasonably related to protecting citizens from further nuisances. Zimmerman, ¶ 18. 

¶37 We recognize that the provisions of § 45-8-211(2)(b) and (3)(c), MCA, relate to 

the penalty that may be imposed by a district court and are not necessarily conditions of a 

suspended sentence imposed pursuant to §§ 46-18-201(4)(o) and -202(1)(f), MCA

(2009). Nevertheless, we may draw from the analysis of Zimmerman and similar cases 

dealing with sentencing conditions in assessing the reasonableness of the District Court’s 

decision to require a forfeiture of Chilinski’s animals. Here, the District Court found a 
20

number of facts concerning the deplorable conditions that all of the dogs were living in 

while in Chilinski’s care, and concluded “[t]here is no evidence to suggest that returning 

the animals to Chilinski would change the circumstances which gave rise to their

seizure.” The court also noted that Chilinski had insufficient funds available to care for 

the dogs, and that there was no indication Chilinski could provide viable treatment for 

injury and disease if the dogs were returned to him. Accordingly, given the specific 

authority granted to a district court by § 45-8-211(2)(b) and (3)(c), MCA, allowing 

forfeiture of the affected animals, and the discretion afforded a sentencing judge in 

imposing sentencing conditions, we hold that the District Court did not abuse its 

discretion in requiring Chilinski to forfeit all of his dogs.

CONCLUSION

¶38 For the forgoing reasons, we affirm. 

/S/ LAURIE McKINNON

We Concur:

/S/ MIKE McGRATH

/S/ PATRICIA COTTER

/S/ BETH BAKER

/S/ JIM RICE