Comments on: Walnut Hill Man Charged: Starving Horse Dead, Nine Others Rescued

By: sofia

sofia — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:37:13 +0000

I have my own 18 horses and i gust think it is just really rong

By: XACO

XACO — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 03:50:20 +0000

I did not see the original article as I do not have time to look everyday on these sights since I am no longer an animal control officer but I will blame some of this on the public for being aware of this and for waiting so long to notify authorities of the starvation. PER and animal control depend on you guys to be our eyes because we cannot be everywhere at once and you citizens always either (1) cry wolf and say it’s starving when it’s not or (2) watch it starve unti it’s almost too late and you can’t stand it anymore and you finally notify someone of the problem. I am not bashing anyone and will not look on this site to see who all screams back at me, but I am telling you the facts from my experience for the past 12 years of exactly just how you do things and expect us to jump and come to the rescue and the want to criticize on the outcome of the situation. Way to go PER, good job as always, your friend in critters:)

By: Jesus' view

Jesus' view — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:28:09 +0000

you know all of you are talking about taking him out somewhere and starving him well the BIBLE says HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE… and I SERIOUSLY DOUBT any of you are without sin of some sort… the man is done what he has done and now has to face the charges but do not throw a stone if you are not willing to throw one at yourself. If you seen this happening and did nothing about it then you are just as quilty. LEAVE HIM ALONE !!!!!! and yes he has gone without a meal I know for a fact….

By: molino_girl

molino_girl — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 16:04:30 +0000

@flomaton man here is you explanation…he was starving his horses. he expected them to eat grass that was not there instead of hay or grain. this man did not care for his horses. and as far as him being a good man aparently he is not that good of a man if he cant seem to take care of his animals.and not just the horses that are in the field but the many many dog he has in his house.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 04:33:32 +0000

Thanks Diane For being there again u Go Girl…..

By: coffeeintheam

coffeeintheam — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:51:19 +0000

KUDOS to you also UNCHAINYOURDOG. We need more out there like you.

Animals, Animals, Animals. Who really are the animals.
MAN OR BEAST?

By: unchainyourdog

unchainyourdog — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 02:03:27 +0000

I would love to hear the explanation(s) for committing FELONY animal cruelty. Yes, he was charged with two felonies and 8 misdemeanors. The felonies are for the two horses that suffered the most and endured prolonged agony: “CAUSE CRUEL DEATH PAIN AND SUFFERING ANIMALS” ~ FL Animal Cruelty Statute 828.12 (2). The 8 misdemeanors for the other horses seized: “TORMENT DEPRIVE MUTILATE KILL ANIMAL” 828.12 (1)

KUDOS to the agency (agencies) responsible for the arrest of James Bethea on FELONY animal cruelty charges, in addition to the misdemeanor criminal charges.

Starving an animal to the point of imminent death is not a *mistake*. It’s a criminal action and can get him up to 5 years in state prison and $10,000 fine on each felony charge. Each misdemeanor charge can bring 1 year in prison and $2,500 fine. Regardless of the economy, his actions were criminal.

By: flomaton man

flomaton man — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 23:10:37 +0000

they were living across the street from my family in flomaton.These people are very nice folks,we enjoyed them as neighbors,I’m sure there is an explanation to the charges.I wish the best for all ,man and animal.

By: Steve Gillis

Steve Gillis — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:24:25 +0000

Dont know some people ….doesnt look like the owner missed a meal.. take him out in the woods tie him up and leave him…come back in a a few months that get these peoples attention

By: LINDA

LINDA — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:55:00 +0000

These horses weren’t neglected/starved by folks who loved them. Hoarder is a politically correct term often applied to abhorrent practices. Humane groups would rather be contacted for assistance or guidance than respond to a frozen field with starved, dying horses. If unable to provide care and with absolutely NO other recourse available, humane euthanasia is a better choice than allowing a protracted, painful death. Once you’ve accepted responsibility for an animal’s life that’s what it is – responsibility. Man up; don’t allow it to suffer.

Bethea’s actions were irresponsible disregard for the animals’ welfare. Recently, a local man who had thwarted a robbery said “enough is enough”. Well, enough is enough when it comes to animal abuse and neglect. Anyone witnessing abuse/neglect/mistreatment of an animal should feel, if not compassion for the animal, then an obligation to their community and themselves to report it. Be their voice.

Rescue groups do need our support and many of us do provide it! Owners must greedily stop purposely over breeding and using horses as a money crop. Reopening slaughterhouses isn’t the answer. Foreign owned facilities in the U.S. were finally closed because of environmental, tax and procedural issues. Regulations and inspectors did nothing to ensure humane treatment. Research the barbaric methods used to transport and slaughter America’s horses. These activities create their own criminal community. Foreign entities owned and operated the plants to send meat overseas; you won’t find thoroughbred steak or quarterhorse chops at your local grocers unless you’re in certain south Florida communities. The majority of Americans have no desire to eat their horses (whether they view them as companion animals or working livestock) and demands humane treatment for them – and all animals.

Hopefully Bethea will receive maximum punishment and the other animals will be removed from his property!! Anyone having knowledge of his behavior should receive the message this is not acceptable and won’t be tolerated. Enough is enough.