HOPKINS COUNTY, KY NOVEMBER 2012

3 horses die in one of the worst animal cruelty cases in Hopkins Co.

 Posted: Nov 26, 2012 5:43 PM EST Updated: Dec 03, 2012 5:43 PM EST

By Brett Hoffland - bio | email

Posted by Kara Mattingly - bio | email

 

Daniel Carter. Source: Hopkins County Jail

 

Authorities say Carter neglected dozens of animals on his property, all the way from six horses to a wide range of farm animals.

HOPKINS CO., KY (WFIE) -

Three horses were found dead at a residence in Hopkins County, and it's being called one worst cases of animal cruelty in the county.

31-year-old Daniel Carter of Dawson Springs has pleaded guilty to six counts of animal cruelty in the case. He'll serve 20 days in jail.

Authorities say Carter neglected dozens of animals on his property, all the way from six horses to a wide range of farm animals.
About a year ago, the humane society says they started receiving calls about possible animal neglect at the Carter's home on Nortonville Road in Dawsons Springs. Humane Society Director Charles Gentry says Carter and his wife told them they were an running an animal rescue operation.
"We tried to give them as much time and opportunity to show us that is truly what they were doing. They had several animals that were in poor condition but they indicated to us they received them in that condition," Gentry said.
Over time, Gentry says the condition of the animals worsened.
"We came to realize that it was just blatant neglect," Gentry said.
Officials found three horses had died under Carter's care. They seized the remaining three, but Gentry says they weren't much better.
"Body condition scores of around a two and that's two out of 10. One being probably going to die any second," Gentry said.
Officials say they also found other animals including dogs, pigs, and peacocks on Carter's property.
"We were able to seize all of those animals and obviously protect other animals besides just these horses because they were in the care and custody of irresponsible animal owners," said Hopkins County Attorney Todd P'Pool.
Daniel Carter will serve about three weeks in jail. Both he and his wife are now on probation and aren't allowed to own any animals for two years.
"If you own animals in Hopkins County and you fail to properly take care of them, you will face jail time," P'Pool said.
Carter's jail sentence begins on January 2nd.
As for all those rescued animals, the humane society says they're receiving care at local foster homes and he hopes to put them up for adoption soon.

 14 News

HENRY COUNTY, KY APRIL 2012

Henry County Woman Gets 60 Days In Animal Cruelty Case


Posted: Apr 16, 2012 3:58 PM
Updated: Apr 16, 2012 5:07 PM

A Henry County woman charged with over 200 counts of animal abuse after a variety of animals were found on her property in December living in deplorable conditions has been sentenced to 60 days in jail in the case.

Terri Smith, who plead guilty to one of the counts against her, was also ordered to pay almost $9,500 in restitution in the case. Officials say the animals, including 120 dogs (one of which was deceased living in a cage with live dogs walking all over it), 30 cats, 58 rabbits, 25 hermit crabs, 9 horses, 10 guinea pigs, 6 hamsters, a wolf hybrid, an owl, several birds and three geese were found at Smith's Allyson Lane home in Henry County.

The judge in the case also refused to return any of the animals back to Smith.

Smith's husband, 71-year-old Kenneth H. Smith, committed suicide shortly after their arrests.

LEX18
 
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HENDERSON COUNTY, KY APRIL 2012

Henderson Co. horse owner under investigation for second time

Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:31 PM EDT
Updated: Apr 19, 2012 6:31 PM EDT

HENDERSON CO, KY (WFIE) - Henderson County Officials were out Thursday, looking into a complaint on the care of dozens of horses and animal control says this isn't the first time they've been out to this Reed, Kentucky farm.

No horses were seized this afternoon on the property on New Road, but Animal Control says they'll be keeping an eye out to make sure some nutrition and cleanliness issues improve.

Thursday afternoon, Henderson County Animal Control, the Sheriff's Office and a veterinarian were all on the scene after receiving their second complaint this year about the care of over 20 horses.

Animal Control says the horses belong to Richard Stallings. Stallings was found guilty in '08 on 50 counts of mistreating horses.

The owner of a horse sanctuary working with Animal Control says Thursday, there are some issues with the cleanliness of stalls and what the horses are eating.

"The conditions are not ideal of what we'd like to see for the horses but you know, it's not something that can't be fixed and we are working with them to make sure that, you know, that they do understand that there are certain things that we are going to expect over the next thirty days to be corrected," said Shelter Operations Director for the Humane Society of Henderson County Joshua Cromer.

Animal Control took some photos Thursday, documenting the horses' condition and taking food samples.

They tell 14 News they'll be back out in 30 days to see if the situation improves. If nothing changes, they say those horses could be taken away.

Related stories:
•Horse neglect: Stallings pleads guilty
•Suspected horse abuser opts for jury trial


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