News

Sheriff's deputies charge man with neglect of horse, donkeys and goats

By Bill Moss, Published: July 18, 2013

ETOWAH — The Henderson County sheriff's department charged a 39-year-old local man with cruelty to animals after finding a horse, two donkeys and six goats in poor condition at a barn in Etowah.

Jeffery LandersResponding to a tip, investigators with the Animal Enforcement Unit found the horse and donkeys to be in "extremely poor condition," Maj. Frank Stout said in a news release. They charged Jeffrey Scott Landers of 3766 Howard Gap Road with three counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals and cited him as well under a county ordinance for mistreatment of animals. Landers relinquished ownership of the six goats in lieu of a $3000 civil penalty, the news release said. He was released under a $1500 bond after his arrest on July 13.

After a physical exam and body conditioning evaluation by a veterinarian, officers seized the horse, both donkeys and  goats and took them into protective custody.