Animal cruelty warrants signed after malnourished horses found | Crime

The Troy Police Department is investigating a serious cruelty to animal incident involving horses according to information released by Chief Jimmy Ennis.  The horses were located on Smart Road and Pike County Road 2294 in Troy.

TPD received information from the owner of three horses that left his horses on Pike County Road 2294 with the suspect to care for them while he was overseas.  The owner of the horses took feed to the suspect for his horses and advised that he would provide more when needed.  When the owner returned home he discovered his horses very malnourished and near death.  The owner took two of his horses to another location earlier this week and contacted the Troy Police Department.  The third horse which belonged to his son had died due to malnutrition.

A subsequent investigation by TPD Animal Control and Detective Division with assistance from Coffee County Sheriff’s Department Livestock Investigator led to a court order to remove any other horses located on that property.  Four horses were removed from the suspect’s property on Smart Road and Pike County Road 2294 today and were housed at an undisclosed location pending further investigation.  

Six warrants were signed on a suspect in these cases Wednesday for Cruelty to Animals in Troy Municipal Court and an order was issued to pick up the horses for safe keeping and treatment. A veterinarian has been asked to check and treat the horses.

The identity of the suspect has not been released pending arrest.

This incident is still under investigation by the Troy Police and the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department Livestock Investigator. 

Chief Jimmy Ennis hopes this action today sends a message to all animal owners who willfully neglect, harm and take responsibility for their animals, whether they are the actual owner or the person responsible for the care of that animal.

Information Source: Troy PD