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Case #11982 Rating: 3.8 out of 5
5 horses, donkey found emaciated
Largo, FL (US)Incident Date: Friday, Aug 10, 2007
County: Monroe
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 3 files available
Defendant/Suspect: George Hale
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Five emaciated horses and a donkey were in SPCA Tampa Bay custody after a tipster directed authorities to dirty pens with no food or water, officials said.
The animals were seized from George Hale, 39, who authorities say was keeping the horses at 1200 Donegan Road.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which state law authorizes to investigate cases of animal neglect or cruelty, went to the property Thursday afternoon after Largo police received an anonymous call. Hale was keeping the horses in dirty pens with substandard shade, according to SPCA director of operations Connie Brooks. When found, authorities said, the equines did not have anything to eat or drink. "This wasn't just malnourishment," Brooks said. "This was total neglect."
Investigators took away three mustangs that were in "imminent danger," according to Brooks. Officers went back on August 10, 2007 and took two more horses and the donkey. Hale signed over all the animals but one, Brooks said. He wanted to keep one horse, but the SPCA confiscated it with the others. Brooks said she hopes all the animals will recover. SPCA officer Jill Purl said Hale told her he was overwhelmed and acknowledged that he owned too many animals. Hale works as a tow truck driver, Purl said. Officials said they plan to pursue animal cruelty charges against Hale, though no charges had been filed yet, Hale declined to comment.
The three mustangs taken Thursday night were being held at a private property. One was unable to stand, according to SPCA officials. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being emaciated and 10 being healthy, a veterinarian scored the three horses at level 1. The two horses confiscated were being held at the SPCA's location in Largo. They were scored 3 on a scale of 10, Brooks said. The donkey, which hadn't been examined by a vet, appeared to be underweight but in good condition, Brooks said.
Hale adopted each of the three mustangs in May 2007 for $125 through the federal government's Bureau of Land Management, according to agency spokeswoman Shayne Banks. The mustangs were captured in the West, where overpopulation of wild horses is a problem. The SPCA is not sure how long Hale has owned the donkey and the other two horses, which were munching on hay at the SPCA.
The adopted mustangs technically still belong to the federal government, she said. Those who adopt horses must sign a contract allowing the government to inspect the animals until they are given a title, a 12- to 14-month process, Banks said. Neglected horses are confiscated by the government and rehabilitated.
"It is pretty rare that we have horses that have been neglected to the extent that these animals have been neglected," Banks said. Anyone interested in helping to provide feed or specialized veterinary care to the rescued horses can make a tax-deductible donation through the Web site of the SPCA Tampa Bay, www.SPCATampaBay.org. For information, call (727) 586-3591.
Case UpdatesThe owner of five horses and a donkey found weak and malnourished last August began a six-month jail term today, according to SPCA Tampa Bay.
George Hale pleaded no contest to six counts of animal cruelty. In addition to the jail term, Hale was sentenced to five years of probation and must pay $10,000 in fines.
In August, SPCA officers investigating an anonymous tip found the five mustangs at a boarding facility, Rosebud Ranch, located at 1200 Donegan Road. They were so emaciated that their ribs showed, and they had no food or water. The donkey, while in better health than the horses, was living in a pen containing more than a foot of fecal matter.
The horses have recovered and four of them have been adopted, according to a statement by SPCA public relations manager Melissa Weeks.
Some of the horses received new names that reflect their rescue. Hope and Faith, formerly known as No Socks and Two Socks, have been adopted. Three Socks, renamed Promise, is awaiting adoption.
Sammy and Aflac kept their names and have been adopted by a family in Citrus County.
The donkey now lives permanently at the SPCA.
SPCA officials say Promise needs a patient owner she can trust. For information on adopting her, visit www.spcatampabay.org. | Source: TBO - Feb 14, 2008
Update posted on Feb 14, 2008 - 8:54PM |
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