Animals seized from neglect, found starving Palestine, TX (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 County: Anderson
Disposition: Not Charged
Person of Interest: 18 year old man
A hearing to determine the custody of more than a half-dozen animals will be held later this month before an Anderson County justice of the peace following their seizure last week.
Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said six cows, five horses, three calves and two donkeys were seized from outside a residence in the 500 block of FM 3224, also known as Balloon Base Road, on Wednesday afternoon.
One of the cows subsequently had to be euthanized, and two other cows and two horses were found deceased on the property, according to the sheriff.
“The animals were very malnourished” and some were dying, Taylor said.
The sheriff’s office began investigating the treatment of the animals slightly more than a month ago, with animal control officer David Raybin making contact with the owner at that time, according to Taylor.
“We got some more complaints and he (Raybin) went back...and that’s when he found the dead animals and the prolapsed cow (that was later euthanized),” the sheriff said.
Anderson County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace James Westley signed the seizure warrant and the animals were picked up Wednesday, according to Taylor.
“They’re here in Anderson County,” said Taylor, concerning the status of the animals. “They are receiving care. They’ve already seen a vet.”
A seizure hearing to determine the custody of the animals has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 24.
An 18-year-old Anderson County man has been determined to be the owner of the animals, according to the sheriff.
“We are (also) investigating the possibility of filing criminal charges for animal cruelty,” Taylor said. References |