Man Who Hoarded Livestock Charged With Cruelty, LIVINGSTON, December 2, 2010 - On November 22, 2010 a hearing was held in the court of Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Steven McEntyre to determine the fate of fourteen horses, three donkeys, and their owner. After listening to testimony and expert opinion and examining evidence, Judge McEntyre ruled that the animals' owner, James Thompson, 53, of Livingston, was cruel to the animals and charged Thompson with 2 counts of cruelty to livestock animals. The animals did not have food, clean accessible water, or grazing room on the quarter of an acre where they were kept off Butler Road in East Polk County. At the conclusion of the hearing Thompson was arrested and released on two $5,000 bonds. Thompson's animals were seized by the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Houston SPCA on November 15th after complaints were received by the Sheriff's Office referencing the alleged neglected animals. After an investigation by Deputy Crystal Rogers, they decided to move on seizing the animals. The Houston SPCA expended a total of $9,514 in seizing the animals, transporting them, and caring for them which included veterinary care. James Thompson was not ordered to pay any of the costs back in full or part.
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Bones are easily visible on this malnourished horse.
The animals were seized from a remote residence on Butler road near the Polk County Line.
14 Horses and 3 Donkeys Seized by Authorities, EAST POLK COUNTY, November 16, 2010 - On the morning of November 15, 2010 officials from the Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Division and the Houston SPCA converged on a residence located off of County Line Road near 190 East. Complaints from residents of mal-nourished horses and donkeys prompted an investigation by Deputies Crystal Rogers and Ray Brown (both with the Polk County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Division). Enough evidence was gathered to prompt an animal seizure. According to Rogers, the owner of the animals James Thompson, 53, of Polk County, has been charged with animal cruelty. The animals have been taken to facilities with the Houston SPCA and examined to determine the extent of deprivation and a hearing will be held in court on Monday (November 22). In light of the malnourishment and neglect to the animals, Deputy Crystal Rogers stated that in a best case scenario, the animals will be brought back to normal health and they can be adopted out to loving homes where they'll be properly cared for.
A truck and trailer from the Houston SPCA backs up to the remote residence.
Deputies and trustees loaded the animals into the trailers.
Sheriff Ken Hammack (center) speaks with Sergeant Rob Thomas at the scene on Butler Road.
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