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Jury Convicts Robin And Lynn Floyd On 7 Animal Abuse Charges
June 18, 2010
A North Escambia couple has been found guilty on multiple animal cruelty charges by an Escambia County jury.
(Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect changes resulting from an error in the Escambia County Court of the Clerk’s records concerning sentencing for the Floyds.)
Robin Brownie Floyd, 53, and Lynn Livingston Floyd, 43, both of Gilmore Road, Century, were both found guilty on seven of eight charges of confinement of animals without sufficient food or water.
Both Floyds were sentenced to six months probation and ordered to pay over $500 in costs each. They were also ordered to take a horse training or treatment course, and they are not allowed to have custody of a horse for the length of their probation, according to Escambia County Clerk of the Courts records. They were given 10 days to find a home any horses they may have. But, according to court records, they are allowed to work around horses.
Panhandle Equine Rescue received a tip that several thin horses were being moved by the Floyds to Santa Rosa County, according to PER President Diane Lowery. She said the horses were being transferred to a Santa Rosa County residence and then moved out of state to a horse rescue in Georgia. Lowery said that when PER investigated in September, they found three emaciated horses still on the Gilmore Road property.
Warrants were issued on three counts each, and the Floyds turned themselves in at the Escambia County Jail on October 15. Additional charges were filed by the State Attorney’s Office in December.
PER, Lowery said, took photos of the other horses to the State Attorney’s office and requested that there be more charges, “since every horse that suffered neglect mattered”.
For photos of the horses submitted by PER, click here. (Some readers may find the photos disturbing. Submitted photos by Panhandle Equine Rescue from 2009 and 2006.)
Comments
41 Responses to “Jury Convicts Robin And Lynn Floyd On 7 Animal Abuse Charges”
Now, I haven’t talked to Lynn about this situation and I really don’t intend to, but from what has been printed, it clearly states that they were trying to get the horses to somewhere that they could be properly cared for. THAT was the responsible thing to do. I believe I read on here before that they had actually rescued some of these horses from other people who couldn’t care for them, so basically, they were doing the job of PER and then got thrown in jail, their pictures plastered for all to see and, as is obvious here, their reputations tattered.
Those who are casting stones here don’t even know these people nor do they understand exactly what the issue was at trial: were these animals in this condition while under the direct supervision and care of these people? Yes, they were. That is why they were found guilty. If you would bother to check this out you would find that if you find an animal living somewhere in deplorable conditions and accept custody of it and proceed to transport it DIRECTLY to a vet, you are still guilty, just as the Floyds were, of this “crime”. THAT is wrong. If you are trying to help it, the entire story should be known and you should be commended for trying to help it NOT condemned.
Maggie,
Some people just don’t care about the truth. You know what it is so don’t let their rude comments bother you. They say ignorance is bliss, but ONLY to the one who is ignorant. It’s torture for everybody else.
Evil and bad things happen when good people do nothing. These are Gods creatures and if you love horses you know they have feelings and needs just like your pet dog or cat. Animal cruelty sounds harsh. Starving an animal is cruel, letting an animal remain untreated when it needs medical attention is cruel. People get animal with good intentions or just because I want one.Just like when people have children with no idea of the amount of care , money or time. They are not all bad people.Probably very nice.I will say very ignorant. The people who comment about property. Give me a break. You do not deserve such a beautiful animal.
The photos + date stamps on the photos speak for themselves, these horses where clearly underfed. If they were being properly cared for they would have showed much more improvement between sept. and nov. 09′.
You DO need to watch out for PER! If they come on your property make sure they are escorted by an Escambia County Sheriffs Officer. Make sure you say…NO Pictures Please! Then be sure to take your own pictures after they leave so you have proof that you have feed, grass and water. They forget to look for those items while they do their 30 minute investagations before they have someone arrested months later!.
So,Save EVERY vet bill, hay bill and grain bill you have if you live in Escambia County because sooner or later YOU will be the next VICTIM of the WITCH HUNT. In the Byrneville area alone they have visited over 7 farm friends of mine…are you next….are they out of control??? Is your fencing old or is it electric fence…they’ll come see you. Do you have a barn or shed? If not remember a great big ole oak wont do any more… better get to building. Got a horse thats to fat….They’ll come see you, and once they do they just keep comming back.
And for Gods sake don”t call in a rescuse if you need help… just have the horses put down or you go to jail. We all saw how the Floyd’s were treated for doing the “right” thing.
Maybe its time to create a Escambia County Horse Association like they have done in Santa Rosa and tell PER to get OUT! Before more GOOD PEOPLE are railroaded into arrest records for trying to help out their neighbors and customers!
Saddleupnride needs to read the rules and watch his mouth. Are you PER? I have owned animals all my life. I know the case well enough. You have shown your ignorance quite well. I am not in anyone’s “back pocket”. Just a hard working farmer that knows and understands sick animals.
Type on the internet unwanted problem horses overview by Dr. Lenz. He is a vet.
This will help YOU understand why there even is such a problem/
Saddle upand Ride,
I personally know for a fact that Mr. Hudsons animals are taken care of above and beyond what the normal animal cargiver gives around here, so if you want to make a personal attack on him, you had better know the people you are talking about. Yes animals are property, no he doesn’t belive that they should be mistreated but you need to know the whole situation! Facts are animals Are property, but that still doesn’t mean that they should be mistreated. I think you owe Mr. Hudson an apoligee, that man cares more for his animals than you will ever imagine, Hell his dog has his own swimming pool and palm trees, now would you go to that extent, No I didn’t think so! So you need to ease up off of him, Thank you!
they were probably trying to get them to Santa Rosa county because there you can get help caring for your horses during hard times instead of having them taken away / being put in jail.
I get that PER does a dirty job not many other people do – but there needs to be a reining in on some of the craziness. I know someone who did everything they were asked, then surrendered the horse and still had felony animal cruelty charges placed against them. I DO know all of the details in that circumstance, and it was just wrong.
I have horses and because they are completely dependent on me for their survival / well-being, they get anything and everything they need to thrive. A horse may be classified as property, but those same laws you want to quote also address the way a horse should be treated – food, water, shelter and appropriate medical care. If you want to quote laws, you have to quote all of them.
People, please get off of your high-HORSES!!!!! You are judging a situation that you did not witness. Just from what I have read, it appears that these people were trying to send these horses somewhere else to help them when a tip got called in against them. You don’t know how long this family had these horses or in what condition the horses were in when this family got them. They may have nursed them to the best of their abilities….. Just try to get all of the information before coming to a conclusion on someone else’s life. At least come to an educated guess people, good Lord!!!!! some of these comments are only what I would expect to hear from a real redneck!
It is just wrong for anyone to mistreat animals, if you can’t afford to take special care of them in a proper way, then you don’t need to get them…
the thing is horses are not ppl and should not be treated as ppl if you think a horse is as good as a person would you marry a horse if you think they are then mabe you should and i still feel horses and cows are property and if you want then butcher it for food if i was hungry i would kill my horese and eat it
I liked the Ted Nugent “Quote” .
I am not old enough to pay tax dollars but I am old enough to know better than to keep talking about people I don’t know, my parent taught me better manners than to keep kicking someone when they were down.
Maggie, dear, I think the commenter talking about “poor people” was talking about the Floyds. There are lots of comments about people in general talking about people not being able to afford or take care of their animals. Looks to me like they were agreeing with the comments.
If they were talking about the Floyds, I don’t know if she is poor, and certain am not saying that she is or is not poor.
However, he got an attorney paid for by MY tax dollars and YOUR tax dollars because he told the court he was indigent — TOO POOR to pay for an attorney!
What’s that they say on the cop shows when they haul you off to jail — “if you can not afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you…”?
Mike Bee
Please see Williams rule #3 No Libel. That’s saying something is not true about someone. Don’t do it.
“Poor people like these shoudn’t own aniamls!” This is a direct quote from your blog. You are infering that the Floyds are poor and can barely feed their children.
Do you know the Floyds financial status? Have you spoken to their book keeper or the IRS? Do you know if they have children or if they have trouble feeding them?
Can’t you leave them alone?
resident- so if your momma decided she wanted to kill and skin you out behind the barn that would be just dandy, huh?
Lidia,
I did do some research and i definitely do not agree with what some of those slaughterhouses are/were doing. Thats ridiculous! I did look up a few youtube videos, and what they’re doing is not cool. If they would improve their slaughter methods (which would be easy) that would fix a major part of the problem. Instead of campaigning for the removal of all slaughter houses, why not campaign for more humane slaughter methods, treatment, and enforcement of those laws?
But coming from a guy who has skinned many deer, I just dont see how you could skin a deer alive, much less a horse, without taking a trip to the emergency room…? I know what i’ve seen and done, and dont believe everything i hear… sorry…
Respectfully,
jlh
jlh, with all due respect, please research what went on at Cavel, the Illinois slaughterhouse when it was in operation, and what goes on now in Mexico, Canada and more and more often, the Miami area. You are right, though, I’ve never skinned an animal, I am aware, however, what happens in regard to horse slaughter. I’m also aware legislation is under consideration to outlaw the transport of horses to slaughter for human consumption. For the folks here who believe animals are merely property and as such are disposable as the “owner” sees fit, there’s really no argument to change their attitude. It has often been said you can tell what a nation and people are like by the way they treat animals. That speaks for itself. Again, I’m glad animal rescues exist to try and take care of the results of human irresponsibility.
If you cannot afford to take care of animals then why get them! People if you can barely feed yourself and your children then you must know that animals particularly horses or cattle eat far more than humans. Why get them leave them where they are! Poor people like these shoudn’t own aniamls!
I KNOW ROBIN AND LYNN AND I KNOW THEY ARE GOOD PPL
HORSES ARE PROPERTY ND I FEEL YOU CHOULD BE ABLE TO DO WAT EVER YOU WANT TO UR ON PROPERTY NOT STARVE BUT IF YOU WANA TAKE IT BEHIND THE BARN AND KILL IT THEN SO BE IT IT IS URS NOT PER PER SHOULD STAY OUT OF OTHERS BUSINESS
JB-
It’s a far better outcome than dealing with PER or other so called Rescue organizations also, who after people try to do the right thing press charges. The Floyds would have been better off to have euthanized their property than to have tried finding a humane solution.
sktmax, Your right animals are defined under the law as property.
Maggie,
One thing that you said is correct: Humane euthanasia is a far better outcome for ANY animal than dehydration and starvation!
Sounds like if you donate unwanted and sick animals to a rescue you get probation to me. According to the law that is abandonment, if they are sick then you should take them to the vet, that fall under normal care,,,, for your own sake DO NOT call PER nor any other RESCUE. You would be safer to have your vet euthanize the animal… that is not against any laws in the state of florida.
“I’m stymied to come up with anything funnier than people who think animals have rights.”
Ted Nugent
Donate all sick , unwanted horses to PER.
Fed up you need to shut up! You weren’t there and are totally clueless and your comments are null and void!!
Robert Hudson, Everytime you write a comment against PER it just continues to show that you are the biggest fool of all!! Your comments just prove that you have NO compassion for any animal of any sort. PER takes great care of the horses that they RESCUE from persons that neglect and starve them. I’d hate to know that a person of your type would ever own an animal.
You must be in someone’s back pocket to say the dumb things that you come up with about PER.
This comment is as nice as I can be, I could be much harsher but I don’t want to be shown as ignorant as some of the comments that are here.
Bless You All who so faithfully give of your time and monies to care for neglected, abused, and starved animals.
Commom Sense and others have stated that
“ANYONE who neglects an animal or lets it go without food or water should be treated the same way. Let them sit in confinement and wonder when they will get any life giving food and water.”
John chapter 8 verse 7
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Were these not the words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ? Should his laws and the court sentence of the United States punishment not be enough. What is wrong in this world today. What price would your soul pay for the act s you want committed against your fellow human being.
Linda,
I highly doubt that you could skin a horse alive. If you know anything about skinning animals, you would know that it would be impossible to skin an animal that is still alive and kicking (literally, which would be the case if it was alive). And for an animal the size of a horse, well a kick could be deadly.
PER not being able to afford the horses in their care is one thing. Actually NOT CARING for them is a whole other story!!! PER DOES take care of the horses in their care, with every last penny they have. They do not let them starve.
There’s a huge difference there.
ANYONE who neglects an animal or lets it go without food or water should be treated the same way. Let them sit in confinement and wonder when they will get any life giving food and water.
Those calling for a reopening of slaughterhouses obviously do not know the methods used. Stun bolts intended for cattle which do NOT render the horse unconcious before being strung up by its heels and skinned alive in many cases. The Federal govt oversights supposedly in place to ensure “humane” treatment when American slaughterhouses were still in operation, simply were not enforced – pregnant/nursing mares shipped, babies shipped, ill, lame horses shipped. Horses stolen from owners’ pastures shipped for easy money. Horses purchased by seemingly loving families (often illegal aliens) from unsuspecting owners shipped to slaughter. Maybe that’s where these horses were headed. I don’t belong to PETA, don’t like alot of how they go about getting their point across. I do advocate for animals against the uninformed and often downright cruel. Personally, I’m glad folks like PER are out there to try and help and protect the animals from ignorant, selfish, lazy and greedy humans who cast aside or abuse them. Over breeding, breeding for the almighty dollar resulting in overpopulation is a good place to start in solving the problem. Legitimate rescues are there to take care of what the irresponsible have caused.
You people are missing the point: The Floyds were found guilty by a jury of their peers for their (lack of/mis) treatment of their horses. PER was not judge or jury–they just pointed out what must have been obvious to the twelve people who heard the entire case!
Watch out for PER. Inspect them. If the horses were being transferred to a rescue in Georgia , why interfere? What next? Farm to farm animal inspections? Horse insurance required for horse owners? Federal health care for horses? Shut down abortion slaughter houses for unwanted babies and allow horse slaughter houses to open for sick , unwanted horses.
With HYPOCRITICAL MOCKERS in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quite in the land. Judge me O Lord according to my righteousness; let them not rejoice over me.
Let them not say in their hearts, Ah so I would have it: let them be ASHAMED and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed in SHAME and DISHONOUR that magnify themselves against me.
Psalm 35
Robert hit the nail on the head!
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Matthew 7:1
Funny how PER can take in horse’s and not have the funds to take care of them,( OH , please help us we are broke) but when some one else does it they wish to press charges. Talk about two faced. Sounds more to me like do as we say and not as we do. If they would reopen the slaughter house’s , we would not be in this mess. Thanks Peta, you really know how to mess things up!
I agree..the same should be inflicted on these people…lock them up without enough food and water…get the feel of it…..
A personal attack? Saying that they should experience how those poor animals felt? Amen ‘UnbeWeavable’!!!
William-
Read your rules
Is this not a personal attack!
Those two should simply be confined without sufficient food or water for six months.