54 horses, 7 goats found in ‘deplorable’ conditions; Jeffrey Mitchell charged

TENNESSEE -- A 50-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after authorities executed a search warrant on his home and found dozens of horses and goats in what they deemed deplorable conditions.

The home, owned by Jeffrey Mitchell, is in the 1900 block of Ragsdale Lane in Giles County, just outside the Pulaski city limits.

 

  

 

Officers said that when they arrived, they saw 54 horses in small lots filled with mud, water, feces and urine, over a foot deep in some places.

There was little hay available and two small weanling horses locked inside a trailer with no water. Authorities said those two horses were also standing in feces and urine-soaked hay.

The animals were not in good condition and one had to be euthanized by a veterinarian because it was severely malnourished.

Seven goats, both babies and adults, were also found standing in a dog pen full of urine and feces.

 

  

  

 

Mitchell, the owner, was charged with 55 counts of counts of animal cruelty. He was released from the Giles County jail after posting $55,000 bond.

Authorities said it is the third time Mitchell has been charged with animal cruelty. He was convicted twice in 2009 which make the current charges a felony.

 

 

The animals were voluntarily surrounded to Volunteer Equine, who will treat the animals and eventually put them up for adoption.

Officials reported some of the animals are in very poor condition and being monitored but may have to be euthanized.

(WATE - April 15, 2015)