Ripley Police Officer Involved In Horse Abuse Investigation

TENNESSEE -- An animal abuse investigation is underway into six horses found in Gates, Tenn., owned by a Ripley Police investigator.

“We really want to help the owners and work with the owners but in this situation there seemed there was groups of authorities who we're walking around this owner and protecting him. They wouldn't allow anyone to help,” said Lori Collins, Director of Redemption Road Rescue.

The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department called in Veterinarian Leslie Young to conduct Equine Identification Reports: health reports regarding the horses’ conditions.

The six horses were given health scores between 1.5 and 4.5 based on a scale where ten is obese and five is ideal.

“Nobody scored over a five. Miniature horses, like I said, usually they're easier to take care of and you worry about them being obese,” said Young.

She said none of this happened overnight.

“One of the horses may have come there in spring around April and was a good looking horse and from then until now so over two or three months... Four months,” said Young.

The horses belong to Investigator James Mark Crook with the Ripley Police Department, according to a press release from the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department.

“This is not an isolated case involving older and abused animals; these cases are really quite common,” said Lauderdale Sheriff Steve Sanders in a press release, “Had this not been an election year, I feel this would not have created all this attention.”

J.C. Dupree of UT Martin Extension Office is investigating the matter. In a statement on Facebook, Dupree wrote three of the horses were in poor condition while three others were not. He added he gave the owner the following conditions: Keep quality hay on the property, call a veterinarian and gave him ten days to find a suitable location for all six animals.

JC Dupree Jr. (County Director)

“Owner did find a suitable location for animals and has followed all request by agent,” wrote Dupree.
Monday’s statement from Sanders said otherwise: “These horses have been relocated by Mr. Dupree, not by the owner Mark Crook as is being rumored.”

District Attorney General Mike Dunavant will take Dupree’s investigation results and determine if any charges will be filed.

Dupree did not respond to FOX13’s request for an interview. FOX13 left Crook numerous voicemails; FOX13 is waiting for a callback.

(MyFoxMemphis - Jul 29, 2014)

Earlier:

• Are bad cops protecting animal abusing, good ol' boy cop?