Attorneys/Judges
| Defense(s): | Fred Shaeffer |
Animal neglect - 8 horses, one dog seized
Norman, OK (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Sep 18, 2008
County: Cleveland
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Leslie Paul Lambeth
The attorney for a rancher who now faces another charge of cruelty to animals said Friday his client loves animals.
Cleveland County prosecutors charged Leslie Paul Lambeth, 71, with cruelty to animals on Wednesday [Dec 3, 2008] in connection with the Sept. 18 seizure of eight horses and a dog.
Six counts earlier were filed against Lambeth after police and animal welfare officers served a search warrant at his northeast Norman ranch March 25 and reported finding 27 horses in various stages of malnutrition. Four dogs also were taken into custody, officials said.
In that matter, Lambeth has been bound over for trial.
The new charge alleges Norman animal welfare officers, police and a veterinarian went to the same property and took eight horses and one dog that animal control officers believed were in poor condition or were being kept in poor conditions.
After the March 25 seizure, the horses and dogs were returned to Lambeth, following a motion filed in civil court and a subsequent hearing. The court ruled it was proper for the animals to be returned under conditions put in place to ensure their care and welfare, city officials said.
The animals seized Sept. 18 were being kept at a secure location where they were receiving veterinary evaluation and care, police previously reported.
Lambeth's attorney, Fred Shaeffer, said by phone he believes that his client shouldn't have been charged.
Shaeffer said when authorities came to Lambeth's property before, they found hay for the horses to eat in the barns, water in the troughs and ponds and feed in his truck.
Lambeth has gotten into trouble because some his horses are old and "he doesn't want to put them down," Shaeffer said.
"His problem is that he becomes attached to his animals and when they get old, like people, they don't look like they did when they were 18, 19 years old," Shaeffer said.
Lambeth is scheduled for formal arraignment Jan. 23. References
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