This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

A Florida man with a long history of animal mistreatment is facing multiple charges after 10 horses were found in deplorable conditions on his property in Boca Raton. Demand maximum penalties in this case!

According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, complaints were made last October concerning a group of horses who were reported to be severely underweight or injured. Search warrants were issued, and detectives found 10 horses who were clearly suffering and living in unsanitary conditions. Eight of them were taken to Animal Care and Control for emergency care, but two couldn't be secured at the time.
 

The Sheriff's Office added in a statement that, “Equine veterinarians confirmed that all eight seized horses suffered from malnutrition, poor body condition, untreated injuries, rain rot, overgrown hooves, dehydration, dental disease, and in one case, a large, maggot-infested wound requiring surgery. These findings were consistent with long-term neglect.”

James Marinakis, who has a long history of legal issues involving animals, was arrested in November and charged with three counts of Aggravated Animal, which carries a sentence of up to a $5,000 fine and/or a five-year prison term. A second or subsequent conviction mandates a minimum $5,000 fine and a six-month jail term with no eligibility for early release.

He was also charged with four counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and seven counts of unlawful abandonment or confinement of an animal, misdemeanors which both carry up to a year in county jail and/or a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 fine if the court determines so. All charges allow for the prohibition of engaging with animals in the future, which we must ensure.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Man With Years of Run-Ins with the Law Over Animals Must Receive Maximum Sentencing

I am writing to you to support the conviction and maximum sentencing of James Marinakis for the inexcusable neglect of 10 horses. Marinakis has had multiple run-ins with officials dating back to 2001, which should have been taken more seriously to prevent the further chronic suffering of many animals.
 
Maranakis was arrested following an investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, which found the horses living in unsanitary conditions and reported that, “Equine veterinarians confirmed that all eight seized horses suffered from malnutrition, poor body condition, untreated injuries, rain rot, overgrown hooves, dehydration, dental disease, and in one case, a large, maggot-infested wound requiring surgery. These findings were consistent with long-term neglect.”

Maranakis was charged with three counts of Aggravated Animal Cruelty, Fla. Stat. § 828.12(228, which carries a sentence of up to a $5,000 fine and or a five-year prison term. A second or subsequent conviction mandates a minimum $5,000 fine and a six-month jail term with no eligibility for early release.

He was also charged with four counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, Fla. Stat. § 828.12(1), and seven counts of Fla. Stat. § 828.13 Unlawful Abandonment or Confinement of an Animal, misdemeanors which both carry up to a year in county jail and/or a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 fine if the court determines so. All charges allow for the prohibition of engaging with animals in the future.

I hope you will seek maximum penalties in this case, ensure Maranakis isn’t allowed around animals in the future, to send the message that this kind of cruelty won’t be tolerated, and repeat offenders will face consequences. I will be following this case to fruition and look forward to seeing your office take decisive action in this case.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.