SOURCE: Yahoo News
By Therese Apel
JACKSON, Miss. (Reuters) – Authorities found at least 10 dead horses on a Mississippi ranch after receiving a report that more than 170 of the animals, many of them malnourished, were on the property, officials said on Monday.
Some of the horses were missing eyes, others were walking on three legs and several had open wounds with pus coming out of them, said Alisha Armstrong, who made the discovery in Crystal Springs, about 25 miles south of Jackson, on Saturday together with her husband before notifying authorities.
The couple, visiting the property with an eye toward buying it, counted 179 horses, most of them appearing to be malnourished and at least 20 of which were dead, Armstrong said.
Some of the dead animals appeared to have been moved into piles, including two carcasses befouling a creek supplying the 175-acre property with water, she said.
“This was something that you see and hear in horror movies. This is a nightmare,” Armstrong said.
When the Armstrongs returned to the property on Sunday, most of the horses, including the most sickly ones, had been removed, she said.
Copiah County Sheriff Harold Jones said investigators instructed the horses’ owner, Jerry Earls, to bury the dead animals.
Earls transported 45 of the horses north to Hinds County, with authorities there quarantining them and seeking to determine if any of them were stolen, a Hinds County Sheriff’s Office spokesman said.
The roughly 45 horses remaining on the property were found by animal health officials to be in decent condition, and there are no grounds for charges against Earls at present, Jones said.
Earls, who court records show was convicted of grand larceny of livestock in 2012 after being indicted on charges of stealing 42 head of cattle, is on probation through November 2015, according to the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Animal welfare advocates said the case raises concerns.
“Having that many deceased animals, and horses with various injuries going untreated, when you combine that with [Earls’] criminal history… I think it would be hard not to find something in violation of state statute,” said Lydia Sattler, director of the Mississippi chapter of the Humane Society of the United States.
Earls could not be reached for comment. A phone number listed in his name was not receiving calls.
(Editing by Jonathan Kaminsky and Eric Walsh)
Categories: Equine Rescue, Horse Health, Horse News
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Now here lies a problem bigger than the abuse. To file no charges is a disgrace.
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I agree. He needs to be charged with animal cruelty & abuse.
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This is a herrendous , horrible nitemare, , no horror movie can top this one !!!!!! Even worse yet , they wonder what to charge him with????? How about extreme animal cruelty and MURDER and no arrest here!!!!! This man is a known convicted animal thief, A Grand Larcenist all I can say is WTF>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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This man has been at this type of thing for years, and it was said that he has bought horses at auctions and sold them to slaughter. We have to wonder if it was the Bureau of Land Management auctions, because they run our wild horses off their land with helicopters, killing mares and foals, and pen them in horrendous circumstances and load many of them up and auction them across the country, often to abusers. This horrible man is pure evil in my opinion. These horses and foals suffered agony, and there was a bleeding mare in a food trough who couldn’t even get out., who was dying. Jerry Earls had already been indicted on Grand Larceny on two counts of STEALING forty-two head of cattle, but he did NOT serve time and only paid a penalty. If he had been in jail he would not have been in possession of these wonderful, now dead, horses. Jerry Earls made the comment to a reporter that “oh, well, everybody has to go sometime”; that is how concerned he was about the horrible and heartbreaking deaths of helpless horses and foals that he allowed to suffer agony and die. I hope there is a special place in hell for people who neglect, torture, starve and harm helpless animals. Our horses should be special to us as they helped us from the beginning of time. Good people think Jerry Earls should be prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to prison, so why won’t law enforcement, the District Attorney and the judicial system do their jobs?.
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The reason is because they can, just as guilty as Earl………………………….who has the same reasoning !!!!!!!!
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What kind of person says , well ya gotta go sometime?????????????????????????/ A derange, demented mutant that needs to be removed from society swiftly !!!!! Never to be seen or heard of ever again…………………….
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Belongs in the same catagory as the 2 who mutalanted the mares genitals, who died from her injuries, 2 weeks later………………………
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Can someone start a petition? Not sure how.
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Yes, this is so disgusting, but until the federal government along with states streignthen humane laws this will continue. As a past investigstor the state’s Dept of Ag often is afraid of law suits being g filed by the violators. But what about the poor animals who suffer in pain or die in the process. Right is right and wrong is wrong. They all need to be prosecuted to the fulliest extent of the law. To this day I remember a cinnamon colored pony we had to leave behind because of a psyco owner. It shouldnt matter who anyone knows. If they can’t care for them properly give them up. Do the right thing. On the other hand, we all must not be afraid to call the authorities. In my experience law enforcement sometime are not trained to handle humane cases and may give inaccurate information. Most all of them followed my lead and were there to protect me. The bottom line is if you see abuse keep calling until something is done. Photographs now came be taken from great distances. You can provide your state legislators with this info which will help in strengthening humane laws.
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Maybe animal welfare groups should start filing law suits when the government does not press charges
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According to the folks who stumbled on this when out to look at the land for sale, there were 20 horse carcasses on the property, 2 of them in the creek supplying water for the living. I sent a letter to the Mississippi director of the Humane Society of the US, (obviously they should be doing something) and am told she is pressuring the law enforcement and legal authorities—apparently, the reality is not enough to verify the need for prosecution of this horrible man. What about all the hoopla of FBI recognizing the need to track these criminals who abuse animals, since their propensity is to move on to humans? Please sign the petition–
https://www.change.org/p/jim-hood-we-the-people-and-constituents-of-the-state-of-mississippi-request-that-another-agency-with-no-ties-to-the-accused-complete-a-full-and-true-investigation-of-the-100-abused-neglected-and-dead-horses-on-a-property-located-in-copiah-county-miss?recruiter=50893557&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=mob-xs-share_petition-custom_msg
Please spread the word—they got almost 3000 signers in just 2 days
This is one of the most heinous cases of deliberate horse abuse and cruelty I have ever seen. The man at the center of it, a felon and known “killer buyer” is seen in the video completely unrepentant. See the link below–
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/27530661/dead-horses-who-were-the-customers-for-these-unwanted-animal
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https://www.change.org/p/jim-hood-we-the-people-and-constituents-of-the-state-of-mississippi-request-that-another-agency-with-no-ties-to-the-accused-complete-a-full-and-true-investigation-of-the-100-abused-neglected-and-dead-horses-on-a-property-located-in-copiah-county-miss?recruiter=50893557&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_facebook_responsive&utm_term=mob-xs-share_petition-custom_msg
Please spread the word—they got almost 3000 signers in just 2 days Susan
This is one of the most heinous cases of deliberate horse abuse and cruelty I have ever seen. The man at the center of it, a felon and known “killer buyer” is seen in the video completely unrepentant. See the link below–
http://www.msnewsnow.com/story/27530661/dead-horses-who-were-the-customers-for-these-unwanted-animal
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Those starving and suffering animals in Crystal Springs were loaded up in 18-wheeler trucks and were driven to Bastrop, Louisiana to holding pens to await being sent to a slaughter house. If you don’t believe me, contact people who are members or are supporting the Justice for Copiah County Horses group! I’m told that Mitch Stanley in Bastrop owns the horses, and is taking these horses to slaughter. This is beyond disgusting. Haven’t these horses been through enough? But no, now they will be driven to Mexico to BE SLAUGHTERED!
There was a rally Friday in front of the Copiah County Sheriff’s office asking for protection and justice for the surviving horses who didn’t die, but clearly law enforcement in Copiah Country doesn’t really care.. The horses suffered agony because the State Veterinarian says Earls did not feed them, and they had also suffered injuries and one had been shot. Jerry Earls is charged with 4 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty in Copiah county, and the State Board of Animal Health is ready to slap him with 13 counts of failure to dispose of 13 dead horses on the property he leased out. The fine up to $1,000.00 on each count. Since Earls was already on probation for another crime why isn’t he in jail since he has now committed this heinous crime?
It appears that officials didn’t have the courage nor nobility of character to protect the remaining horses. It appears there were no heroes who should have protected these horses and provided justice, and who didn’t. Just a very few of the horses suffering from the worst conditions and malnutrition, now have a second chance at life thanks to rescue organizations from in and out of Mississippi. But all the other surviving horses, instead of being protected, were loaded up on trucks, and are now in Louisiana, owned by Mitch Stanley, who owns a commercial transport business and livestock feedlot business, and who is said to transport horses to slaughter.. The group, “Justice for Copiah County Horses” advocates say these horses will be transported to slaughter houses. I thought it was against the law to slaughter horses. I wish someone could SAVE THESE HORSES FROM BEING SLAUGHTERED!
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He is a dispicable low life Bastard, belongs in jail. and the key thrown away! Where can I donate for these awesome horses????????? Everyone please do the same !!!!!!
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PEASE READ AND SEND OUT FOR HELP. HERE IS THE CHANCE TO SAVE THESE HORSES, BUT THERE IS LITTLE TIME, THEY WILL BE SHIPPED TO BE SLAUGHTERED ON FRIDAY!!
Dec 23, 2014 — The MS Herd update! Renee has been in contact with the Stanley Brothers. 60 horses are sitting in Presidio, TX. They will be shipped into Mexico on Friday.
He will allow us to purchase the herd, as a whole, for $40,000 including 5 left behind in LA & transport wherever we need them to go, but we need to do this by Friday!
All of you who wanted this herd safe, NOW is your chance. Please send your tax deductible donations to DONATE@ARABIANRESCUEMISSION.ORG and Note-MS horses.
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$40,000? You’ve got to be kidding. At a sale he wouldn’t even get $20,000.
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Just learned about the above site directly and donated. These horses are being taken from Hell to Hell’s Inferno and they deserve our help. Yes, this is a Kill Buyer making a profit, but he is a Kill Buyer and that is what they do. I do not want to hear how despicable he is – I want to save these horses from being stabbed repeatedly in the spine ’til they fall to the concrete and have their throats cut all the while the horses behind them are freaked, watching, smelling and listening.
If we can’t step up and stop this, we are losers. Forget the hatred for the Kill Buyer and look for the love for these poor Arabians. We each reap what we sow and the Kill Buyers will reap what they deserve. Send all, the horses, the rescuers, the Kill Buyer, and the Killers PINK love and PINK light. The good will prosper and the evil will disappear. Believe me, it works.
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Elaine, I write what I feel, and I write my thoughts. I wonder why you think you have the right to tell me what to write and feel. If you don’t like what I write a simple solution is to not read my comments.
Almost $40,000 has been raised to save these horses, and there may be the full amount now, for which I am truly thankful, and that is my purpose and my goal.
That is what I work for and that is what I want, for these horses to be safe.
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T. Boyd – I am one of those who donated so cool it. You do not know me and I think you are silly to come after one who is helping.
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What? YOU are the one who wrote ME, a total stranger. We all donated in areas of the rescue, so what, but we don’t consider that helping in rescue gives us the liberty to overstep the bounds, and to write strangers and insult them. Please stop writing me and don’t address me again. I don’t know you, and have no interest in communicating with you. Perhaps the monitor of this site will stop your harassment.
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This is the information to send money to save the starved and abused horses who are now on their way to slaughter in Mexico, sent by Mitch Stanley from Bastrop,Louisiana, who sends horses to slaughter, who said he owns these horses who were starved, dying and some dead in Mississippi, and who is now sending these dogs to slaughter. After all these horses have already suffered, they will arrive Friday in Mexico to be slaughtered unless payment for the horses is made to save them. PLEASE help, with whatever small amount you can make! I wrote and received this response from the heroes who are trying to save these horses!
In a message dated 12/23/2014 8:21:11 P.M. Central Standard Time, info@arabianrescue.org writes:
Thank you. Please direct them to our website listed below,
arabianrescuemission.org
Terry
Terry Figueroa Making a Difference, EveryDay!
President/Founder/CEO
Arabian Rescue Mission
http://www.arabianrescuemission.org
2012, 2013 & 2014 Top Rate Non-Profit!!
home of:
East/West Arabians
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I also just donated for these Horses………………………………………….
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May Santa Claus grant you and all that you wish for this Christmas. Here’s wishing you and all your loved ones a very Happy & Joyous Christmas.” And to our rmagnificent Wild Mustangs, may the Spirit of all here grant them Peace and Freedom………………………………………
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I hope I am not taking up too much space here, but this is very urgent, and I hope you will all read this and share this with persons you know who love horses and who will fight for justice. This is about the man who is slaughtering horses and who is slaughtering the precious Mississippi horses who have struggled so hard to live.
This is about Mitchell B. Stanley, d/b/a Stanley Brothers, Bastrop, Louisiana.
Animals’ Angels USA
PO BOX 1056
Westminster, MD 21158
Phone 410-848-3153 * Fax 410-848-0213
http://www.animalsangels.org
Investigation of Stanley Brothers Farms Horse Feedlot and
Transport of horses for slaughter in Mexico
1. General Information
Date:
2/19/10-2/22/10
Location:
1803 Auction Barn Road
Bastrop, LA
Trucking Company:
Stanley Brothers Farms
747 HWY 8 WEST
HAMBURG, AR 71646
DOT # 451845
2. Background Information
The following investigation was triggered by a number of complaints Animals’ Angels received from concerned citizens regarding Stanley Brothers involvement in the horse slaughter trade and the conditions of horses observed on the Bastrop premises. Further research revealed numerous convictions and complaints.
Animals’ Angels found the following violations in public records:
Mitchell B. Stanley, d/b/a Stanley Brothers, has a previous conviction for violation of the Commercial Transport of Equines to Slaughter Regulations (9 C.F. R. Paragraph 88 et seq.) He was fined $10,550 by USDA (A.Q. Docket No. 07-0023). Among these violations was a violation for transporting a horse for
slaughter to the Beltex Corporation that was blind in both eyes.
Mitchell B. Stanley, d/b/a/ Stanley Brothers, was fined another $12,800 for violation of the Animal Health Protection Act and the Commercial Transport of Equines to Slaughter Regulations. (A.Q. Docket No. 06-0007) Records of the Bastrop Police Department show that a cruelty complaint concerning dead animals at the
Auction Barn Road property (According to the Bastrop Property Assessment Department the premises are owned by a member of the Stanley Family) was made in December 2008. According to the police report, the dispatched police officer found one dead horse and two dead cows inside the barn and three dead cows, another dead horse and a dead sheep outside. The auction manager stated that he would “purchase sick livestock and nurture it back to health“, and that he, “did not know about the dead animals outside the barn.“ No investigation was launched and no charges were filed.
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Is their any links or places you can give me more information on this occurance. I dreamt about this. And I’m seeking to understand it. Thank you for your time. ANY links/posts/news.
Joella
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To my knowledge this man was not prosecuted and convicted of the deaths of these horses, caused by him, even though he was already a covicted felon on probation.
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I am so sorry OM , i know u r taking care of these beautiful horses now, BLESS THEM.
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Complain here about Judge Lilli Mckenzi http://www.judicialperformance.ms.gov/Pages/Complaint.aspx
https://www.change.org/p/jim-hood-we-demand-justice-for-what-one-man-did-to-over-a-100-horses
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How do I find out about getting 1 or 2 of these horses before something like this happens.
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