Horse killed for insurance $$
Horse killed for cash? By Lisa Tindell - news editor An emotional Renee Jones called for stiffer penalties for violence against animals Friday at a press conference announcing the arrest of a Flomaton woman accused of killing a show horse for insurance money. Jones, who serves as the cruelty to animal's investigator for the Escambia County Humane Society, told those gathered at Flomaton Town Hall the death of show horse Abby was intentional by the owner, Brenda Gradia. “Abby was not killed because she was lame or sick,” Jones said. “She wasn't killed because she was past her prime or beyond her use on the farm. She was shot and killed and the barn was burned down on top of her by the owner because of money and greed.” Gradia, the owner of the horse, has been charged with animal cruelty, arson and two counts of attempted theft by deception and one count of theft by deception. Ed Faulk, Alabama state fire marshal, said the death of the horse led to Gradia's arrest following initial investigation by Flomaton police officers. “The Flomaton Fire Department, along with the Flomaton police chief, responded to the barn fire on May 23,” Faulk said. “After the fire was extinguished, those on the scene noticed something unusual and alerted out office.” Flomaton Police Chief Mike Lambert said his department knew the case was over their head based on the evidence found at the scene of the fire. “We got in over our heads pretty quick with this case,” Lambert said. “We are fortunate that we have such great agencies available to us that allowed us to take this case further and make this arrest.” Faulk said his department's investigation turned up evidence that required a post mortem examination be performed on the animal. “When the horse was examined in the barn area, evidence found led us to believe that the horse wasn't alive at the time of the fire,” Faulk said. “Possible fraud evidence was also discovered. Several search warrants were issued as a result of that discovery which culminated in the arrest of the suspect.” Dr. Brad Fields with the department of Agriculture and Industries for the state of Alabama, said the case continued through his agency with a post mortem examination. “The animal was initially examined at the scene of the fire,” Fields said. “Results from that examination indicated further investigation was necessary. The animal was transported to Auburn University to the state's diagnostic center where a bullet was recovered from the animal.” Fields said his department would pursue avenues to stop the acts of cruelty. “Our department is not going to tolerate this kind of cruelty to animals,” Fields said. “We will deploy all resources in these kinds of cases.” Jones said stiffer penalties for animal cruelty need to be in place to stop acts of violence against animals. “In Alabama we have the Gucci Bill that provides protection against cruelty to pets,” Jones said. “In the case of livestock, cruelty to the animal is a misdemeanor. We need to stiffen the penalties against cruelty to all animals by anyone whether they are the owner or not.” Lambert said Gradia owned seven horses at the time of the fire including Abby. “There were six other horses in her care at the time of the fire,” Lambert said. “Some remain on the scene due to ownership. She didn't own all of them. Some of the horses were owned by family members. Only one horse has been seized from the property.” Gradia faces a sentence of two to 20 years if found guilty of arson in this case. The theft by deception charge is a Class B felony while the attempted theft and the animal cruelty charges are misdemeanors. Officials say Gradia fraudulently collected $30,000 for the death of a horse in December 2007. Abby was insured for $100,000.
Horse killed for cash? By Lisa Tindell - news editor An emotional Renee Jones called for stiffer penalties for violence against animals Friday at a press conference announcing the arrest of a Flomaton woman accused of killing a show horse for insurance money. Jones, who serves as the cruelty to animal's investigator for the Escambia County Humane Society, told those gathered at Flomaton Town Hall the death of show horse Abby was intentional by the owner, Brenda Gradia. “Abby was not killed because she was lame or sick,” Jones said. “She wasn't killed because she was past her prime or beyond her use on the farm. She was shot and killed and the barn was burned down on top of her by the owner because of money and greed.” Gradia, the owner of the horse, has been charged with animal cruelty, arson and two counts of attempted theft by deception and one count of theft by deception. Ed Faulk, Alabama state fire marshal, said the death of the horse led to Gradia's arrest following initial investigation by Flomaton police officers. “The Flomaton Fire Department, along with the Flomaton police chief, responded to the barn fire on May 23,” Faulk said. “After the fire was extinguished, those on the scene noticed something unusual and alerted out office.” Flomaton Police Chief Mike Lambert said his department knew the case was over their head based on the evidence found at the scene of the fire. “We got in over our heads pretty quick with this case,” Lambert said. “We are fortunate that we have such great agencies available to us that allowed us to take this case further and make this arrest.” Faulk said his department's investigation turned up evidence that required a post mortem examination be performed on the animal. “When the horse was examined in the barn area, evidence found led us to believe that the horse wasn't alive at the time of the fire,” Faulk said. “Possible fraud evidence was also discovered. Several search warrants were issued as a result of that discovery which culminated in the arrest of the suspect.” Dr. Brad Fields with the department of Agriculture and Industries for the state of Alabama, said the case continued through his agency with a post mortem examination. “The animal was initially examined at the scene of the fire,” Fields said. “Results from that examination indicated further investigation was necessary. The animal was transported to Auburn University to the state's diagnostic center where a bullet was recovered from the animal.” Fields said his department would pursue avenues to stop the acts of cruelty. “Our department is not going to tolerate this kind of cruelty to animals,” Fields said. “We will deploy all resources in these kinds of cases.” Jones said stiffer penalties for animal cruelty need to be in place to stop acts of violence against animals. “In Alabama we have the Gucci Bill that provides protection against cruelty to pets,” Jones said. “In the case of livestock, cruelty to the animal is a misdemeanor. We need to stiffen the penalties against cruelty to all animals by anyone whether they are the owner or not.” Lambert said Gradia owned seven horses at the time of the fire including Abby. “There were six other horses in her care at the time of the fire,” Lambert said. “Some remain on the scene due to ownership. She didn't own all of them. Some of the horses were owned by family members. Only one horse has been seized from the property.” Gradia faces a sentence of two to 20 years if found guilty of arson in this case. The theft by deception charge is a Class B felony while the attempted theft and the animal cruelty charges are misdemeanors. Officials say Gradia fraudulently collected $30,000 for the death of a horse in December 2007. Abby was insured for $100,000.