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Small Measure of Justice for Starved Horse

Small Measure of Justice for Starved Horse

This month we welcomed the conviction of a man who was charged with starving his horse to death in Mississippi.

Doll Stanley, our Justice for Animals Campaign Director, was contacted by the Tallahatchie County Sheriff’s Department after a deputy confirmed that a horse had starved to death. She filed the affidavit that charged the man responsible for failing to provide food and water needed to sustain his young mare’s life.

The horse was found dead and had been tethered on a barren hill, while her body had been partially eaten by other animals.

In Mississippi, a crime like this comes with a maximum fine of $1,000 and/or six months in jail. The man was convicted for starving a young mare, and given the maximum fine, in addition to $186 in court costs.

Crimes involving the starvation of horses are too common in Mississippi. In Defense of Animals and fellow animal advocates and advocacy organizations are striving to rescue horses before they senselessly lose their lives. While we’re disappointed that there was no jail time imposed, we understand it is rare in the region for first-time offenses and we are grateful to Judge Ross for treating animal cruelty more seriously than many judges in the region and for deterring future crimes against animals by giving the maximum fine. Heartbreaking animal abuse like this should never happen.

For more on how to protect animals from cruelty, visit our Justice for Animals campaign and please consider making a donation.

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