Ponies, goats, chickens attacked and mutilated
Orange Park, FL (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Jul 2, 2011
County: Clay

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: 12 year old juvenille

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A 12-year-old Orange Park boy is under arrest on charges of felony animal abuse after a horse, chickens, ponies and goats were attacked in a stable at 320 Tanglewood Blvd., according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

The unnamed boy was arrested Wednesday night and remains in Jacksonville's juvenile detention facility as the investigation continues, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Keystone Heights resident Donald Hoilman owns the animals and said two ponies, three goats and two chickens died, some euthanized because their injuries were too severe. He said they can't be replaced.

"I don't feel very good about it because I lost a few animals and I like animals," Hoilman said. "I thought it was pretty cruel. It was a pretty bad scene."

Investigators think the animals were attacked between July 2 and 3. Investigators said the boy used a a butcher knife, a piece of lumber, a box cutter, and a golf club to injure the animals.

The incident report states broken golf clubs and pipes were used to beat one pony's legs and the baby goats. The pony's right rear leg was broken and cut open so bad it was only hanging on by some skin. It was in such pain that it had to be euthanized.

One 2-year-old quarter horse was cut on a shoulder with a knife, but survived, as did a 1-year-old billy goat whose leg was injured. A baby chick was found decapitated at the scene as well, according to the police report.

Sheriff's Office officials are not releasing photos taken at the scene because they are "extremely graphic" and are being used as evidence in a pending prosecution.

The cruelty appalled Linda Worthington, a member of the Clay Mavericks Saddle Club next door to Holiman's property. She said he came over to tell them what had happened and her granddaughter cried when she found out that one of the ponies she had known from birth had to be put down.

She was in disbelief that anybody could be that mean.

"I am appalled," Worthington said. "I can't believe a child would do something like that. What are these kids being taught?"

Another neighbor, Frederick Henning, said he was devastated.

"I am broken-hearted that this would happen," Henning said.

A three-week-long investigation included interviews with two witnesses who saw the suspect in the area of the crime, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The State Attorney's Office is discussing whether the boy can be charged as an adult, chief assistant Dan McCarthy said.

Hoilman said he didn't know the boy but noted "something wasn't raised or done right" about him. Hoilman had high praise for the Sheriff's Office detectives and deputies who investigated the animal cruelty.

"They got right on it," he said. "… They got it done as quick as they could and I appreciate it very much."

Worthington said she didn't know the child either. But she said she's known Hoilman for almost 40 years and he's a hard-working person who cares for his animals, even unwanted ones dumped there.

Case Updates

References

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