The future of a horse - that was bone-thin when a sheriff's deputy seized it from a Wichita Falls lot - still holds plenty of uncertainties, but a court decision this week answered one question about its immediate future.
Justice of the Peace Michael Little decided Wednesday the horse will stay for now in the care of the Wichita County Humane Society, where it has been living, and authorities will monitor its condition for at least the next 30 days.
The decision took custody of the horse out of the hands of Wichita Falls resident David Brock who bought the mare at an animal reclaim auction in January.
Brock, who has been outspoken on community issues and has run for a City Council seat, represented himself in the civil examining trial, which took into consideration whether the horse was treated cruelly.
Sheriff's Deputy Kenny Lemons said it will still be at least 60 days before investigators decide whether any criminal animal cruelty charges will stem from the case.
"We're looking to see if this horse is going to really flourish," he said.
Lemons led the horse away from a stretch of land in the 1800 block of Hines Boulevard on May 26, after more than one complaint led the humane society to check on the animal.
"We found that this horse was in really poor condition," said Debbie Mills, operations manager for the humane society, when she took the stand Wednesday.
When Assistant District Attorney Richard Mitchell asked farrier Stephen Smith, who examined the horse's feet, whether he believed the horse's condition came from neglect, Smith answered, "Yes, I do."
Brock testified that the people who sold him the horse - the same people who wanted it back now - misled him about the animal. He said he bought the mare with the understanding she was about 14 years old. He now believes the horse is in her late teens or early 20s, and he wouldn't have bought her if he had known that. He said he believes the animal also had worms.
When Mitchell asked Brock whether he had taken the horse to a vet, Brock replied that he had not.
Brock said he was disappointed in the decision, and wasn't sure yet whether he would appeal.
Mills said she saw a good sign a few days ago when the horse got down on the ground and rolled around, then got right back up.
Sandra Adams, the manager of the Animal Reclaim Center, said she has applied to adopt the horse in the future. Case Updates| No charges will be filed against a Wichita Falls business man suspected of animal neglect. The Wichita County District Attorney`s office reviewed the case involving David Brock. Brock bought a horse at a city auction last December. County officials seized the mare on May 26th because they say it was malnourished and frail. But after reviewing the case the DA`s office has decided there is not enough evidence to proceed with charges. | Source: KFDX - Nov 10, 2006
Update posted on Nov 12, 2006 - 1:57PM |
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