Horse neglected by retired USDA animal inspector
Bradenton, FL (US)Incident Date: Monday, Oct 31, 2005
County: Manatee
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Jimmy Lee Porter
A longtime state agricultural department animal inspector who is a self-described horse expert has been charged with animal cruelty.
Authorities say Jimmy Lee Porter, 65, left a training halter on a young horse's face too long, causing "excessive, unnecessary pain," according to Manatee County sheriff's reports. Porter, who had worked for the state agriculture department for more than two decades before retiring this month, was arrested Thursday at his Bradenton home. The lifelong Bradenton resident plans to fight the cruelty charge, a felony. "This is just an oversight. It's blown way out of proportion," Porter said in an interview Friday at his house. "If I'd have seen it in time I'd have taken care of it. I'm an animal lover. I don't let any of my animals suffer."
Porter told sheriff's deputies that he put the halter on the gray quarter horse last summer and checked on the animal every three or four days. Authorities say Porter saw that the halter -- head-mounted straps that are used for training purposes -- was getting tight on the horse's face as it grew older. Halters are purposely left loose on young horses to allow them to grow into the straps. The horse, one that Porter owned in the 4600 block of Mendoza Road, was taken from him in November 2005.
Deputies said a licensed veterinarian removed the halter. The vet, according to sheriff's reports, said the horse had grown into the halter for a month or two. Porter said the horse is doing well. Porter retired from the state Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services animal industry division.
References« FL State Animal Cruelty Map
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