Horse found emaciated, later stolen
Millington, TN (US)Incident Date: Friday, Oct 10, 2008
County: Shelby
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Billy Reed, Jr.
An emaciated black horse owned by a Tipton County man charged with animal cruelty is missing.
"We're in desperate need to find this baby," said Kim McMullen, receptionist and technician at Northgate Animal Hospital in Memphis.
The horse, identified by McMullen as "Commodore," had apparently been left without food or water for days on property for sale in the 9600 block of U.S. 51 in Millington.
A man checking out the property on Oct. 10 noticed the horse and its poor living conditions. He notified authorities.
Over the next week, two veterinarians -- one from Northgate -- and Shelby County Sheriff's investigators observed the horse, noted that it had no food or water and reported the conditions to Rabies Control officials.
McMullen said the horse had worms and was "in bad shape."
Monday, Shelby County Rabies Control officials went to the property to pick up the horse and it was gone, according to an affidavit of complaint.
"The barbed wire had been cut and the horse was missing," McMullen said.
About 3:30 a.m. Friday, Sheriff's fugitive division investigators arrested Billy Reed Jr., owner of the horse, at his home at 543 Milton Road, south of Drummonds.
Deputies charged Reed, 34, with animal cruelty. Friday, he was released from the Shelby County Jail on $250 bond. He has a court hearing set for Monday.
"We're trying to put the word out to local veterinarians, local horse stables and land owners," McMullen said.
Anyone with information about the horse is asked to call Northgate Animal Hospital at 358-9111. References« TN State Animal Cruelty Map
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