FANNIN COUNTY — A Fannin County homeowner was behind bars Sunday night facing 25 counts of animal cruelty after 25 dead miniature donkeys and horses were found on his property.
“This is against the law, and I hope the law follows through and makes this man pay,” said Deanne Murillo, an investigator for Habitat for Horses.
She said it’s the worst case she has seen in her career.
“When you look at the field, I can count one, two, three, four, five carcasses just with my eyesight,” Murillo said. “They are scattered throughout.”
The rescue workers counted the bodies ― 22 miniature donkeys and three horses. Murillo said the stranded and starving animals couldn’t handle the freezing temperatures.
“The carcasses you see out here ― there’s a lot of young ones, and they weren’t able to survive the weather that we had,” Murillo said.
The animals had no food or water. Their primary source for water, a pond on the property, was frozen. The owner didn’t want to talk to News 8, but investigators said he is having financial difficulties. But after evaluating the scene and the animals, Murillo believed the neglect started months ago.
Habitat for Horses rescued around 15 survivors, but they know more could have been saved.
“There are people willing to help, but you gotta take the gumption to start asking,” said Murillo. “You gotta ask at every door that can possibly be open to you.”
The rescue group will spend around $1,000 to rehabilitate the horses for a week. It needs good, quality hay and donations to help the horses in the next few weeks and if possible, for adoption at a later date.
