Ranch owner charged with animal cruelty after horse's death

FLORIDA -- The owner of a horse ranch and her companion have been charged with more than a dozen counts each of animal cruelty after an investigation last month by Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies revealed several malnourished horses and one that died from lack of care, according to sheriff's reports.

Dale Jahnke-Davis, 53, and Humberto DeJesus, 54, were arrested Saturday at their home at 4936 Garland Branch Road in Dover, deputies said. Each was charged with two felony counts and 12 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. They were ordered held on $10,000 bail each and remained in jail Saturday night.

Hillsborough property records list Jahnke-Davis as co-owner of the Garland Branch Road property, home to the Little Cherokee Ranch.

Jahnke-Davis' relationship with DeJesus is unclear.

  

Sheriff's reports indicate he lives at the Garland Branch Road property with Jahnke-Davis. Her Facebook page describes DeJesus as "her honey." The page is also filled with photographs of dogs missing or needing adoption and requests for prayers from friends.

One posting hours before her arrest, says, "Jesus, have your hands on us this morning!! I lean on you. You are my savior and constant coat of armor against those who wish to destroy us."

Sheriff's reports said 14 horses at the ranch were malnourished, "such that they lost a high percentage of their normal body fat, amounting to excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering."

They also say that one of the horses died as a result of the neglect and another suffered a broken tail that went untreated. The horses lacked routine medical and dental care as well.

Dated Saturday, the reports said the lack of feeding and general neglect occurred prior to Dec. 12. It's unclear whether the horses continue to be boarded at the ranch or elsewhere.

(TampaBay.com  - Jan 12, 2015)