Tennessee: After horse traders Charles Howland and his son starved more than 80 animals to death, Judge Robert Corlew gave them probation. Charles and his son went home and starved more animals to death.

TENNESSEE -- A Cannon County father and son who received extensive regional news coverage in late 2009 when multiple dead or dying animals were found on their 100-acre farm are facing new charges.

The father, Charles Eugene Howland, and his son, Charles Clint Howland, have each been charged with Violation of Probation following an investigation
which began when a dead horse was discovered on their property off Jim Cummings Hwy. on April 11.

According to Bruce Steelman, County County Director for the UT Extension
Office, a worker for a local construction company was doing repairs to a home in
the area of the Howland's farm and while doing so observed a horse which appeared to be dead lying in a creek.

Steelman said that Marshall LaFever with the Tennessee Department of
Agriculture was contacted to investigate the report. When LaFever arrived, along
with a Cannon County Sheriff's deputy, the horse had been moved to another location on the property, Steelman said.

The horse did not appear to have been dead for a long period of time, Steelman
said.

The Howlands were convicted of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Felony) and Cruelty to Animals (Misdemeanor) in Cannon County Circuit Court on Aug. 5, 2011.

They were arrested on Nov. 24, 2009 after over 80 dead and starving horses and other animals were found on their property and seized by the Humane Society of the United States following an investigation by the Cannon County Sheriff's Department and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Both men were placed on probation for two and a half years by Judge Robert E. Corlew following their convictions.

As one of the conditions of their probation they were ordered to not own any dogs or cats. They were permitted to keep horses at a farm they own in Shelbyville.

When LaFever and the deputy went to the Howlands' local farm to investigate the complaint on April 11, they observed approximately 10 horses outside, approximately 22 horses in the stables, one dog running loose, one dog tied up in the barn, and the dead horse, according to the violation of probation warrants taken out against them by the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole.

They were both arrested and released on bonds of $75,000. Their initial court date is June 28.

NO NEW CHARGES FOR THE SUFFERING AND DEATH INFLICTED ON THIS HORSE

According to Sheriff's Investigator Anthony Young, the Howlands do not face any additional charges at this time in relation to the discovery of the dead horse. 

(Cannon Courier - May 2, 2012)

Earlier:

• Tennessee: The worst case of equine abuse in Tennessee history shocked the state. So why is legislation that would stop the abuse meeting so much resistance?