Robert Dean Mullins, 42, was arraigned Thursday afternoon on four counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty in Warren County General Sessions Court, a court clerk said.
According to an arrest warrant written by Warren County Sheriff's Office investigator Jason Rowland, investigators found the animals during a Feb. 20 search of his McMinnville property on the 900 block of Robert Wilson Road.
Rowland said deputies were tipped off about several horses at the farm not being fed and several horses that had died on the property.
When agents arrived, they found three dead horses and eight emaciated horses — four mares and four stallions.
Detectives contacted the Gallatin-based Volunteer Equine Advocates and asked the group to assist in removing the living horses. The nonprofit organization cares for abandoned, neglected or abused equines and assists law enforcement and animal control groups across Tennessee.
Workers seized one emaciated Tennessee Walking Horse and seven emaciated spotted saddle horses ranging from age 6 to 25. Most horses of those breeds live between 25 and 30 years. One of the skinniest mares is 25 years old and pregnant.
Volunteers then transferred the horses to their farm at 826 Coles Ferry Road, off Airport Road in Gallatin.
Four of the eight emaciated horses that were rescued from the McMinnville farm are pregnant.
All are expected to recover, but it will take time, nonprofit horse trainer Alisha Rupp said.
Mullins is slated to return to court on the charges April 8 for a preliminary hearing in the case.
If convicted of any of the animal cruelty charges Mullins could face jail time.
(Tennesseean - March 3, 2016)
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