Animal abuse cases on the rise in VZC

Van Zandt County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Sandra Plaster has been busy as of late hearing animal seizure cases with a case scheduled for Friday, Nov. 30.

In the first hearing held Nov. 20, Judge Plaster granted   warrant to the SPCA to seize approximately 75 live and 30 dead animals which included  dogs, cats, horses, goats, donkeys, pigs, chickens, rabbits and turkeys. The hearing for the seizure will be held at 9 a.m., Friday, Nov. 30 in the VZC Pct. 2 courtroom in Canton.

“The animals appear to have been cruelly treated by their owners, by neglecting to provide them with proper food, water, and shelter, and care as required by Texas State Law / Texas Health and Safety Code Article 821.022,” said Plaster in a release to the Canton Herald.

In a separate animal hearing seizure held Monday, Nov. 26, Judge Plaster also awarded the SPCA with custody of five horses that were being kept on a property on Van Zandt County Road 2414.

According to court proceedings, reports of a downed or dead horse prompted SPCA Animal Cruelty Officer Jason Burns (who is also a licensed peace officer in Texas)  to investigate. Burns testified that SPCA officers witnessed horses that were in need of medical care, but did not find a downed horse. Ten days later, Burns received reports of another horse down and obtained a warrant to remove the animals from the property. Burns said that there were five living horses on the property and one deceased one.

Burns testified that there was not adequate shelter available for the horses and due to heavy rains, the horses were standing in water and had no food source available.

Health examinations by veterinarians and testimony from SPCA Staff Veterinarian Dr. Shawn Ashley  on the horses revealed that the horses suffered from lack of nutrition and were underweight, had a dermatitis type of condition and viral infection that left them debilitated along with hoof cracks and teeth problems.

The owner of the horses, Mandi Harmon, was not present at the hearing.  VZC resident and owner of the property that the horses were on, Bradley S. Pearson, testified that he did not have ownership of the horses and was in a previous relationship with the owner (Harmon.) Pearson said he wanted the horses off of his property. Pearson testified that Harmon was in Florida and not able to attend the hearing.

Judge Plaster looked at evidence presented by the state which included photos of the horses.

“It is clear by the evidence presented that these horses have been cruelly treated, underfed, malnourished and had a lack of adequate shelter. I am awarding the horses to the SPCA of Texas and ordering the owners of the horses to pay restitution to the SPCA in the amount to of $3,749.70,” said Judge Plaster. “If Miss Harmon really cared for these animals, she would have been in court. It breaks my heart to see that they are not cared for properly.”

The restitution is to be paid by both parties. Judge Plaster also offered a statement to the Herald, remarking  “animal abuse seems to be on the rise. This case will be the eighth animal cruelty hearing this year. From a desire to clean up the county and reverse a negative image created in part, due to local animal breeders that often use First Monday’s “Dog Alley” to market sickly animals, I would like to say to the Citizens of Van Zandt County, the seizure of animals is getting out of hand. I know individuals like to have animals, and that’s fine and good, but please see to the care of these animals, or don’t have them. It’s a shame to see so many animals being abused in our county. Van Zandt County definitely has an animal problem. My hat’s off to the SPCA for seeing that each one of these animals are properly cared for.”