LARGO - The owner of five horses and a donkey found weak and malnourished last August began a six-month jail term today, according to SPCA Tampa Bay.
George Hale pleaded no contest to six counts of animal cruelty. In addition to the jail term, Hale was sentenced to five years of probation and must pay $10,000 in fines.
In August, SPCA officers investigating an anonymous tip found the five mustangs at a boarding facility, Rosebud Ranch, located at 1200 Donegan Road. They were so emaciated that their ribs showed, and they had no food or water. The donkey, while in better health than the horses, was living in a pen containing more than a foot of fecal matter.
The horses have recovered and four of them have been adopted, according to a statement by SPCA public relations manager Melissa Weeks.
Some of the horses received new names that reflect their rescue. Hope and Faith, formerly known as No Socks and Two Socks, have been adopted. Three Socks, renamed Promise, is awaiting adoption.
Sammy and Aflac kept their names and have been adopted by a family in Citrus County.
The donkey now lives permanently at the SPCA.
SPCA officials say Promise needs a patient owner she can trust. For information on adopting her, visit www.spcatampabay.org.
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