Alabama: Already on probation for animal cruelty, Melissa Pate and Daryl Pate charged again after starving, dead horses found

ALABAMA -- Daryl Shane Pate is now in custody according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

Pate was charged on Tuesday with two counts of cruelty to animals in addition to the seven counts of aggravated animal cruelty initially tied to the case.

Also, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Melissa Ann Pate. She and her husband, Daryl Shane Pate, face animal cruelty charges after dead and neglected horses were found in Tuscaloosa County.

  
Apparently they were both charged with Animal Cruelty back in July. If that's the case, why wasn't anyone monitoring them  - and their animals? Why were they even allowed to have animals?

ORIGINAL STORY:
Several dead horses were found on a Tuscaloosa County property over the weekend, and now an animal cruelty investigation is underway by the sheriff's office.

Tuscaloosa County deputies were called to Elrod Road Saturday after a complaint.

Authorities found several dead horses during the search, officials told CBS 42. Deputies said conditions were so poor that 9 horses and a miniature donkey had to be rescued.

The animals are now being cared for by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, according to spokesperson Jason Powell.

 

 

Daryl Shane Pate, 46, was charged with 6 counts of failure to bury livestock.

After additional investigation, deputies obtained 7 felony arrest warrants for aggravated animal cruelty. Pate is wanted by investigators on the new charges.

Neighbors shared photos with CBS 42 that appeared to show horses kept outside in a small round pen during the recent snow. One man posted photos of the animals to Facebook because he believed them to be malnourished. Other animals appeared to be dead.

"You could see there was two horses laying down there dead that I'd noticed," said Kendell Holman.

Hollman posted the images to Facebook in an effort to bring attention to the issue.

"I got a lot of backlash behind it, doing this whole, don't tell on anybody type of thing, but I mean this position what do you do?" Holman asked.

 

 

When officers responded to the complaint Saturday, Holman recorded officers searching the property and broadcasted what he saw on Facebook Live.

"I wanted to put it in the public's face so somebody had to do something about it," said Holman.

Holman said he and other neighbors have offered help to the property owner before, but did not have any luck.

"A lot of people asked and they tell you to mind your business. We've asked could we help them before, they tell you they don't need your help," said Holman.

Tuscaloosa County deputies said the investigation is ongoing and more charges are possible. It's unclear if anyone else who may have had contact with the animals is under investigation.

 

 

Holman is glad some of the horses were rescued. He hopes people will remember to care for livestock and other animals during the cold.

"It's sickening. I have animals, my animals I make sure they're inside at nighttime, daytime for that matter with it being cold like it is today. It's just sickening. I don't know how anybody could do it," said Holman.

Daryl Shane Pate is wanted by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office. If you see him, call your local law enforcement agency.

(WIAT - January 1, 2018)

Michigan: Woman asks for help with vet bills for her miniature donkey after two pit bulls attacked and killed her livestock animals

MICHIGAN -- At approximately 9 pm this was done to Cherry Pie our miniature donkey at BIG HEAD FARMS on Pier Rd in Riverside this evening.

 

 

Two pit bulls tore the fencing off the barn and went in...killing several chickens and ducks....Cherry Pie tried her best to best to protect her herd... I have transported her to vet to get her stabilized and we will be heading down to pick her up and transport her to MSU yet tonight...

state police and Berrien County animal control shot and killed one pit bull and the other fled....both wearing collars....the one on the loose is a white or cream color with light brown patchy spots on sides.....

PLEASE PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY INFORMATION ON WHO MAY OWN THESE DOGS!! The dog that was shot had on a red collar that had KONG on it...an all grey very stocky female.....A huge thank you to Michigan State Police and Berrien County animal control for their quick response time and being able to kill one of them! ! ! ! ! !

 

UPDATE : Cherry Pie is at MSU and going to pull thru this tragedy. She has a long road ahead of her but WILL heal...The Urethra is functioning and has many cuts and abrasions as seen in photos....some sutured and some left that will have to heal on their own...

Berrien County animal control is here making a full report and going door to door to find the owner of the two dogs. They killed four of my hens, one Peking duck, one baby Peking duck and our little Dean, one of my Muskovy male ducks. May they all rest in peace-I love you babies and I'm SO sorry that I wasn't able to keep you safe.

.... we will keep you updated. PLEASE PLEASE even a penny will help with her cost on cherry pies GO FUND ME... thank you so much for all of your prayers and wishes thru out

 

Click for GoFundMe page for Cherry Pie's medical bills

UPDATE: Berrien County animal control stopped by and informed me that they have the second dog that attacked in custody. It will be quarantined for 10 days. The owner has been identified and the dog will face a judge to determine if it if considered dangerous.

(Facebook - Aug 5, 2016)

Spain: Little donkey ‘squashed’ to death by obese man court case thrown out by judge

SPAIN -- The case against an obese man who “squashed” a baby donkey to death by sitting on it has been thrown out by a Spanish judge.

The donkey was taking part in a nativity scene and was in a pen in the town in Lucena, Andalusia in 2014.

The man climbed into the animal’s pen on 10 December 2014 to pose for a photo with the donkey.

The donkey was around five months old and was not meant to be ridden in its role in the Christmas nativity scene, which was situated outside the City Hall.

However, the man — who reportedly weighs around 23 stone (about 330 pounds) — posed on the donkey for a photograph. The photo then was circulated on social media and caused general outcry.

The donkey, called Platero, was put down two days after the incident. The police were alerted to the donkey after locals reported that the animal could barely stand.

Charity El Refugio del Burrito (The Donkey Sanctuary in Spain) launched legal action, but the case has been dismissed.

“The judge dismissed the proceedings as she considers that the actual complaints are not a criminal offense and that there is not enough evidence to justify an in-depth investigation,” said an El Refugio del Burrito spokesman.

“The court order states that ‘even if an aggressive conduct had been proved, it is not clear [if it was] the direct cause of the animal’s death, and it is therefore not possible to establish the causality needed”.

The charity filed a complaint against the man that allegedly caused the death of Platero and another complaint against the city council for alleged omission of care, as the donkey was not helped by a vet until two days after the alleged incident.

“The first complaint was initially filed, but we managed to re-open it in March 2015,” the spokesman said. “This is the second time that a judge has filed the case.”

(Horse & Hound - April 10, 2016)

Earlier:

• Spain: Nativity donkey dies after being ‘squashed’ by obese man

Mini-donkey mauled in the face by pit bulls in Baldwin Co.

GEORGIA -- Two pit bulls attacked a miniature donkey in Baldwin county Saturday afternoon.

Johnny Thigpen said that his donkey Grady, was grazing with his goats the when the two dogs jumped into the pen.

 

 

 

 

"They just mauled that poor donkey," Thigpen said. "His ear was just hanging on by a thread."

Thigpen shot both of the dogs killing one and wounding the other.

They took the 150 pound, 9 month old donkey to Piedmont Equine Associates in Madison to begin Grady's healing process.

 

"He lost a lot of blood, so we are taking it day by day," Lisa Thigpen said.

Thigpen said Grady has a long recovery ahead, they are waiting to see if his blood cell count will stabilize. If it doesn't they will have to do a blood transfusion, which Thigpen said could lead to more problems.

(13WMAZ - Oct 15, 2015)

Tennessee: Chattanooga Police Department Lt. Craig Joel has found his soulmate

TENNESSEE -- It's always nice to see a Sheriff's Office and Police Department that has a sense of humor. The Chattanooga Police Department posted this adorable photo on their Facebook page.

A little lift for your weekend! CPD Lt. Craig Joel and an unnamed but very cute side kick!!

Ummmm... So we just started Mini Mounted Patrol. Enjoy.

(Chattanooga Police Department - September 17, 2015)

Spain: Nativity donkey dies after being ‘squashed’ by obese man

SPAIN -- A donkey in Spain has died after being “squashed” by an obese man.

The Donkey Sanctuary told H&H it is investigating after the incident in Lucena, Andalusia.

The donkey was taking part in a nativity scene and was in a pen in the town.

The man reportedly climbed into the animal’s pen on 10 December to pose for a photo with the donkey.

The donkey was thought to be only five months old and was not meant to be ridden in its role in the Christmas nativity scene, which was situated outside the City Hall.

However, the 150 kilo (330 pound) man clambered into the fenced off area and made the donkey pose in a “galloping” position. The photo then was circulated on social media and caused general outcry.

The donkey, called Platero, was put down two days after the incident.

The police were alerted to the donkey after local people reported that the animal could barely stand.

A vet was called and the donkey was examined to find the extent of his injuries. He was transferred immediately to a specialist clinic for treatment.

An investigation has now been launched after two welfare groups — the Asociacion de Defense del Borrico and the Circulo Animalista de Podemos Lucene — made formal complaints to the police.

According to local press the city council has ordered a vet report to be undertaken to determine the cause of death. If it is found the donkey died to injuries caused by the man, legal action will be taken against him.

“The Donkey Sanctuary was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of this poor donkey,” a spokesman told H&H.

“Our Spanish Sanctuary, El Refugio del Burrito, is currently investigating the case to establish the facts as there are a number of sources of information to contact but will be on hand to offer support and advice.”

Activists in the town have now called for the use of live animals to be banned in nativity scenes.

(Horse & Hound - Dec 23, 2014)

Cruel teens kill Amish family's beloved pet donkey Eeyore after shooting him 18 times

PENNSYLVANIA -- Three central Pennsylvania teenagers are accused of fatally shooting a pet donkey on an Amish family's farm.

WNEP-TV said the boys were charged Thursday, about a week after the donkey was shot 18 times on the Clinton Township farm in Lycoming County.

Amos Yoder and his family have lots of animals but they said the six-year-old Jerusalem miniature donkey named Eeyore was their children's pet.

Yoder said the children would take turns riding Eeyore and the neighborhood children would pet him on their way to school.

While Yoder said the family has been devastated by the loss, they plan to get another donkey and name that one Eeyore as well.

The boys admitted to the crime on Thursday.

Two 15-year-old boys and a 16-year-old boy are charged with cruelty to animals and weapons violations.

State police said the teenagers each shot Eeyore six times.

They also admitted to shooting several deer.

The teens were released to their parent's custody and are now back in class at Montgomery Area High School.

Additional charges will be filed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

(Daily Mail - April 25, 2014)

Roving dogs maul miniature donkeys near Baytown middle school

TEXAS -- A Baytown woman is vocalizing a lot of concern after roving dogs mauled two miniature donkeys on her ten acre property.

It happened this past Monday outside her home on Sjolander Road.

 

Suzanne Black saw at least three black dogs sinking their teeth into the two donkeys. She believes the dogs would have killed the donkeys if she hadn’t brought out her shotgun and reacted quickly.

“When I started banging the bucket, the dogs took a turn to me, took a short run at me, and then I fired the shotgun and they ran,” said Suzanne Black. “It’s horrible, such a vicious attack. It’s senseless.”

Black says several of her geese have recently turned up dead. She believes these same dogs are responsible.

She’s especially worried because Gentry Middle School is located right next door.

“Watch your kids. You have to watch your kids in this area,” said Black.

Black’s neighbor is anxious as well.

She says the attack happened around the same time that Gentry High students are playing sports outdoors.

“If a dog will run at a donkey and try to bring a donkey down, these children are out here playing, what would be the difference,” said neighbor Cheryl Fayle Ramquist. “If a child is running, they will go after them.”

Neighbors believe the dogs belong to somebody because the animals had spiked collars on.

According to Black, animal control responded to her home three days after the mauling and gave her traps.

(KHOU - April 4, 2014)