A Tallahatchie County man was convicted June 15 of two counts of animal cruelty for allegedly allowing two horses to nearly starve to death.
James Cable Jr., 46, of 2465 Brewer Road, Oakland, was ordered by First District Justice Court Judge Steve Ross to pay a $1,000 fine and $185 in assessments for each animal, for a total of $2,370.
Cable was found to have failed to provide sustenance for his horses.
According to a news release from In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection and advocacy organization, IDA and the Tallahatchie County Sheriff’s Office seized the two horses from Brewer Road. The neglect of the horses had been reported to the Sheriff’s Office, and Deputy Jerry Williams II worked with IDA’s Justice for Animals senior campaigner Doll Stanley to arrange safe haven, care and transport them.
Photos submitted by Stanley show the severe emaciated state of both horses.
The news release said the horses were accepted by Mississippi Horses, a nonprofit that rescues, rehabs, retrains and re-homes horses in need.
The horses were evaluated and treated by Grenada veterinarian Dr. Thomas Abernethy.
The stallion, now named Spunky, is recovering well. Lyla, the mare, was nearly beyond saving and her recovery remains “concerning,” the news release noted.
In Defense of Animals' Justice for Animals senior campaigner Doll Stanley, left, is pictured with Tallahatchie County Deputy Sheriff Jerry Williams II near the scene where two horses were rescued. (Photo special to The Sun-Sentinel)
Stanley said the two horses “are in a plush pasture with exemplary care and prescribed feedings.”
People who mistreat or neglect the care of an animal are lawbreakers, she noted.
“Individuals who place animals in intrinsically harmful circumstances aren’t just negligent; they are culpable for their cruel actions, and we fight for justice for their victims,” Stanley said. “There is no excuse for negligently disregarding the welfare of an animal.”
She applauded Ross for fining Cable in the case.
IDA has served Mississippi for 30 years, working with citizens, humane organizations, law enforcement and the court system to rescue and seek justice for ill-treated animals.
IDA operates Hope Animal Sanctuary and the Justice for Animals Campaign in mid-northwest Mississippi.
For more about IDA, visit the website, www.idausa.org, or see In Defense of Animals on Facebook.
