Fayette Co. Horse Owner, James Cobb, Faces Animal Cruelty Charges

TENNESSEE -- New information tonight about the Moscow, Tennessee, man charged with ten counts of animal cruelty.

The veterinarian who has been caring for the seven horses, two mules, and miniature horse says James Cobb admitted he spiked the animal’s drinking water with chemicals.

Red Star Rescue teams removed the ten animals Monday from Cobb's Fayette County property.

They were severely starved and dehydrated.

"Certainly, that was a new level of terribleness we weren't expecting to see," Dr. Jennifer Dunlap said.

Dunlap is helping care for the ten animals rescued from James Cobb's property in Fayette County. She said the horses consisted of hide stretched over bone. But that's not the worst part. Dunlap said Cobb admitted to dumping chemicals in the limited amount of drinking water he gave them.

"He knew what he was doing and he told us that he had done it. He said don't let em drink anymore I've poured chemicals in there for them," Dunlap said.

Dr. Dunlap is grateful to the DA's office for prosecuting cases of animal cruelty, but she feels those accused of abusing animals should face a stiffer punishment, especially in this particular case.

"The laws definitely need to change so that horses are companion animals. They're family members to most people, and they need to be treated as such. And have those charges actually be a felony," Fayette County District Attorney Mike Dunavant said. "We represent a district that includes some rural areas where people own and keep these types of animals. And if they're going to have them we expect them to properly care for them."

Dunavant takes cases like this very seriously. He said the charges depend on the severity of the crime.

"Aggravated animal cruelty involves a second or subsequent conviction that is multiple offenses over and over again or if it's some type of violent or torturous behavior," Dunavant said.

For now, Dr. Dunlap is focused on getting the animals healthy and encourages fellow animal lovers to pitch in what they can.

"The thing that we desperately need right now are supplies we can get at TSC. So if they'd like to go to one of the local TSC's leave a gift card and put Dunlap Equine Services on the envelope and we can come collect those," Dunlap said. "It's very upsetting to see horses in that situation."

If convicted, James Cobb could get up to a year in jail plus a $2,500 fine for each count.

(Local Memphis - July 17, 2015)