Oregon: Mitchell Brent Dempsey gets 6 MONTHS in jail for starving his miniature horses

OREGON -- An Escambia County man has been sentenced on animal cruelty charges.

Mitchell Brent Dempsey, 36, was sentenced to 180 days in the county jail on two counts of animal cruelty by Judge Gary Bergosh.

He was also sentenced to two years probation, during which he is prohibited from owning any animals. He was also ordered to pay restitution to Escambia County and Panhandle Equine Rescue.

Lightning Bug, when he was seized by Animal Control

Dempsey was charged for neglecting two miniature horses, one of which died.

The second, named “Lightning Bug” was rehabilitated by Panhandle Equine Rescue and later became the group’s mascot his own Facebook page.

Lightning Bug, now the mascot for a horse rescue group

The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty in Escambia County.

"Still can't understand how you starve a mini. Lightning Bug and his buddy, Dakota, who sadly didn't make it had to have been totally deprived of food. What a horrible death for Dakota. By the time this was reported, it was too late for him. 

"Thank you Judge Bergosh for having the wisdom to rule in favor of these innocent animals. Sadly, most defendants in these cases don't seem to think they have done anything wrong. Maybe, while serving his time, he will figure it out." - Panhandle Equine Rescue Facebook post

(NorthEscambia.com - Aug 16, 2015)