Randolph Hewell Rigby (aka Randy Rigby, Randolph Rigby), 45, was found guilty of two counts of felony cruelty to animals and two counts of unlawful confinement of animals. The charges involved four different horses.
His jury trial lasted over 16 hours, with a verdict coming just after midnight. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail as he awaits sentencing by Judge Jennie Kinsey on June 29.
“Thanks to all who had a hand in helping the horses that were seized from that property. It has been a long hard case, but justice has been served. Sadly, we couldn’t save them all. For some, we arrived too late and they died a horrible death. For those we did save, we are so grateful that we reached them in time,” said Panhandle Equine Rescue President Diane Lowery.
Four other people were originally charged in the case . George Edward Kenneth Ahl, 24, Casey Tyler Ahl, 20, and Frances Rebecca Ahl, 73, pleaded prior to trial. Each was sentenced to a year on probation and prohibited from possessing animals. George Washington Ahl, 76, died before his case was heard. Only Rigby refused the plea offer and instead chose to go to trial.
Multiple horses, donkeys and goats were seized from the 400 block of Crowndale Court, while several other animals were found dead on the property.
Escambia County Animal Control officers began their investigation in December 2013. A 17-page document released by the State Attorney’s office detailed the investigation and provided numerous graphic examples of abuse investigators said they found.
Officers reported finding one horse that was dead and apparently stuck in a fence. Several horses were so malnourished that their bones were protruding, while other had hair loss and marks consistent with a condition called rain rot fungus. Many of the animals had numerous sores and wounds, according to the report. Most were malnourished, and one horse had resorted to eating feces. There was little food available for the animals.
Animal Control also located eight poodles, a doberman and five cats on the property.
One of the malnourished horses, a black Tennessee Walker named Ebony, was taken to Panhandle Equine Rescue for rehabilitation. When officers found Ebony on the property, her bones were showing, her stomach was distended and distended, and she suffered from rain rot.
Over the next several weeks, PER and volunteers worked to save Ebony. She was the subject of several NorthEscambia.com articles as PER and volunteers kept watch over her and raised funds for a sling to help her to her feet. Now, she’s back up on her own and doing well.
(North Escambia - June 4, 2015)
Earlier:
