Cheers for Rhea County Authorities
Encouragement would help if a few horse lovers sent a note of support to Judge James McKenzie and The Rhea County Sheriff's Department in Dayton, TN. A Graysville man has been accused of animal cruelty after five horses were found to be in a state of starvation. Rhea County Deputy Marla Messimer filed a report on January 15, stating she was investigating a call from Animal Control Officer Ted Doss at a Meadowlark Trail home concerning five starving horses on the property. The deputy’s report states she found five horses in extreme disability. The horses were enclosed in a small lot without grass, hay, or grain. The owner of the horses, James Cleon Sneed told Deputy Messimer he had feed and hay available for the horses. The officer checked the entire property and found no feed or hay. The man’s wife stated to the officers that her husband had purchased feed only one time since November of 2007. She stated she was the only person attempting to care for the five horses and neither spouse had a job or were able to purchase feed or hay. The report states she told the officers that she knew that if someone did not take the horses they would die. The couple was informed that they could sign the animals over to the department, surrendering all rights. Deputy Messimer explained that the horses would be placed in homes for rehabilitation and long term care. Sneed then told the officers that he had intended to haul the starving animals to the mountains and turn them loose on Bowater land the following week. Messimer explained that was not permitted. The man then agreed to turn the horses over to authorities. The horses were removed by authorities and placed with rescue individuals. The horses included two geldings aged seven and 10 years, and three mares, aged seven, 11 and 15. One of the mares was badly injured and was found down in the field unable to walk. The injured mare was not able to survive and died two days later, never being able to stand again. This incident is one of several over the past few years where horses have been seized by the county in starvation incidents. In the past during court proceedings, the owners of such animals have been found liable for thousands of dollars in veterinary and board charges and have not been allowed to retrieve the animals that were abused in this manner. They have also been legally prohibited from possessing any more horses. In 2005 the State of Tennessee designated such abuse of livestock as a felony. Rhea County is a leader in the state of Tennessee for prosecution in such cases and has been recognized for the action to protect equines by various groups including the Tennessee Horse Council. Individuals suspecting such abuse of animals should contact authorities immediately. All calls are confidential and are immediately investigated.
Encouragement would help if a few horse lovers sent a note of support to Judge James McKenzie and The Rhea County Sheriff's Department in Dayton, TN. A Graysville man has been accused of animal cruelty after five horses were found to be in a state of starvation. Rhea County Deputy Marla Messimer filed a report on January 15, stating she was investigating a call from Animal Control Officer Ted Doss at a Meadowlark Trail home concerning five starving horses on the property. The deputy’s report states she found five horses in extreme disability. The horses were enclosed in a small lot without grass, hay, or grain. The owner of the horses, James Cleon Sneed told Deputy Messimer he had feed and hay available for the horses. The officer checked the entire property and found no feed or hay. The man’s wife stated to the officers that her husband had purchased feed only one time since November of 2007. She stated she was the only person attempting to care for the five horses and neither spouse had a job or were able to purchase feed or hay. The report states she told the officers that she knew that if someone did not take the horses they would die. The couple was informed that they could sign the animals over to the department, surrendering all rights. Deputy Messimer explained that the horses would be placed in homes for rehabilitation and long term care. Sneed then told the officers that he had intended to haul the starving animals to the mountains and turn them loose on Bowater land the following week. Messimer explained that was not permitted. The man then agreed to turn the horses over to authorities. The horses were removed by authorities and placed with rescue individuals. The horses included two geldings aged seven and 10 years, and three mares, aged seven, 11 and 15. One of the mares was badly injured and was found down in the field unable to walk. The injured mare was not able to survive and died two days later, never being able to stand again. This incident is one of several over the past few years where horses have been seized by the county in starvation incidents. In the past during court proceedings, the owners of such animals have been found liable for thousands of dollars in veterinary and board charges and have not been allowed to retrieve the animals that were abused in this manner. They have also been legally prohibited from possessing any more horses. In 2005 the State of Tennessee designated such abuse of livestock as a felony. Rhea County is a leader in the state of Tennessee for prosecution in such cases and has been recognized for the action to protect equines by various groups including the Tennessee Horse Council. Individuals suspecting such abuse of animals should contact authorities immediately. All calls are confidential and are immediately investigated.