Horses Euthanized; Man Arrested For Animal Cruelty

A Prichard man is in jail charged with animal cruelty. Police say Robert Cole was arrested Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at approximately 10:20 a.m., Prichard Animal Control responded to the 4300 block of Woodruff Road in response to an animal neglect call. Upon their arrival on scene, they discovered five horses on the property, two of which were lying down inside their stables in poor health conditions. Animal Control than proceeded to contact the property owner and caretaker of the horses. Two of the horses were evaluated by a veterinarian who determined they had to be humanely euthanized due to malnourishment. Subsequently, a third horse died overnight, also due to a lack of food.

Cole is charged with 3 counts of Animal Cruelty. He will also be charged with three counts of failure to provide adequate food and water and three counts of failure to keep shelter clean, in accordance with the City’s ordinance. The same charges are also pending against the owner of the animals at this time.

The two additional horses on the property have been turned over to Oak Hollow Farm in Fairhope.