Dead Horse’s Owner Faces Felony Charges

FLORIDA -- A Carrollwood area woman has been charged with one count of felony animal cruelty in connection with a case of starvation that began to make headlines last week.

Linda Evans of 11720 Olen Smith Road turned herself into the Hillsborough County Jail May 30, according to Det. Larry McKinnon.

Deputies began investigating Jolie’s case earlier this month when they were told about a horse that was being neglected.

“Detectives determined that Linda Evans deprived her horse ‘Jolie’ of the proper nourishment by feeding her so little she suffered malnutrition amounting to excessive and unnecessary pain and suffering,” McKinnon wrote in an email to media.

Jolie and three of her stable mates were taken to Equestrian Inc. in the Carrollwood area as the investigation continues. Evans voluntarily relinquished the other three horses, but Jolie was seized by the sheriff’s office’s agricultural unit.

Jolie died May 29.

Smith said a veterinarian was with the horse almost constantly providing care during the last day of her life.

“We even borrowed a sling to get her up,” she said. “It just wasn’t in the cards … she was too weak.”

Booking and bond information was not immediately available for Evans.

(Carrollwood Patch - May 31, 2013)

Earlier:

• Tampa woman starved horses, deputies say