Will Justice Ever Be Served For Starved to Death Horse and Her Dead Baby?

Winona, Miss…Justice for Animals Campaign (JAC), a newly founded compliment to the international non-profit organization, In Defense of Animals, was in court yesterday for the fifth time since filing cruelty charges on March 3, 2015. A mare and her mule colt were reported to be dead or dying on March 3, 2015. Investigators for In Defense of Animals found the mare dead and the colt dying. He was suffering so much and so close to death that he had to be euthanized.

Dead mother with her dying colt

Justice for Animals Campaign Director Doll Stanley initially filed charges against the property owners for allowing the animals to starve without notifying anyone or caring for them. At court yesterday, the property owners stated that neither of them had been at the property and the rightful “owners” of the animals had come and picked up two other living horses that March 3rd morning. Court was continued in order to apprehend and charge these two people. Sadly, the Tallahatchie County Justice Court dismissed charges yesterday against the land owners and gave the justification that the land owners had been in court a lot already since one of them had appeared five times and the other had made four of the five court dates. The Court ruled it was in the best interest of justice to dismiss charges against the couple because they had “shown good faith and had been ready to testify” that Chase Griffin and Christina Shook, the “owners” of the horses were the ones who had failed to care for them.

Chase Griffin and Christina Shook have evaded arrest for the grim starvation of their horses despite the fact that Chase Griffin was in jail when served his arrest warrant. At court the next day, he was a no show. It’s scandalous that the fine for starving these totally dependent animals is a mere $100 for each horse. When coupled with the fact that at least one of the two parties, Chase Griffin, was in the hands of the law the night before court, and was a no show, it’s appalling,” stated JAC Director Doll Stanley..

“In Defense of Animals has worked well with Tallahatchie County law enforcement and the justice system. We are all frustrated that this case has lingered and has yet to be prosecuted,” added JAC Director Stanley

Dying mule colt

Justice for Animals Campaign was added to In Defense of Animals rescue and rehabilitation efforts in Mississippi where the organization has actively pursued cruelty complaints, seized and rescued animals and given haven to them through its Hope Animal Sanctuary for 23 years. JAC is calling on law makers to respond to the plight of animals who cannot lobby for themselves, and pushing for full prosecution using existing laws. A maximum $100 fine for the slow and agonizing death of one or more equines is obscene.

JAC is asking for anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of Chase Griffin and Christina Shook to please contact them. “It may seem trivial to pursue a case that results in a fine of $100, but if that’s the only justice we see from this, so be it. I will never forget the cry of the colt clearly begging for help and then having to be euthanized because help was just too late. Hit offenders in the pocket and you’ll not only see a bit more respect for justice, but law enforcement may put a bit more energy in apprehending wrong doers,” said JAC Director Stanley.

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Colt’s last moments

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization headquartered in San Rafael, California dedicated to protecting animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats through education, outreach, and our hands-on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.