LIHUE >>  A Kauai woman who prosecutors say left her horse sick and neglected has been sentenced to serve 40 days in prison.

Fifth Circuit Judge Trudy Senda said yesterday that Apryl Worthington’s behavior wasn’t appropriate, and she deserved significant punishment.

Pictures of the horse, named Molokai, presented at the animal cruelty trial showed an oozing wound, an infection and other problems with the front legs.

Senda said an experienced horse owner should know better than to leave the animal in pain and agony during the heat of summer without food, water, shelter or medicine.

Worthington’s attorney, Dena Renti Cruz, said she didn’t intend to neglect or abandon the horse.

Prosecutor R. Hermann Heimgartner said Worthington failed to call police when the horse went missing.