Man Enters Plea On Eight Animal Cruelty Charges

May 15, 2011

A Century man has pleaded no contest to eight animal cruelty charges related to the December seizure of several malnourished dogs and horses from his property.

Willie Lee Jones, 54, entered the no contest plea to three counts of cruelty to animals and five counts of confinement of animals without sufficient food, water or exercise. Two additional confinement charges were dropped by prosecutors. Judge Thomas Dannheisser withheld adjudication on all charges and set a sentencing hearing for later this month. Jones remains free on bond.

On December 22, 2010, Escambia County Animal Control, Panhandle Equine Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized at least six dogs and four horses from Jones’ home at 6420 North Century Boulevard, just south of Tedder Road.

One of the dogs, a pit bull, was found chained to a piece of post, according to the Sheriff’s Office incident report. Another, also a pit bull, was found in a cage by itself with open sores on its body. A female pit bull was found with three puppies. The puppies were playful and appeared to be of reasonable health, according to the reporting deputy, but the mother’s ribs and hips were clearly visible.

Two of the pit bulls were euthanized due to their poor health, according to Escambia County Animal Control. The other animals are all recovering after receiving veterinary care.

One of the horses was stabled by himself in what deputies described as “an old dilapidated building”.

“The horse was standing on a thick layer of manure that coated the entire floor of the stall,” according to the Sheriff’s Office report.  There was no food or water for the horse.

A man that lives on the property told deputies that he had fed and watered the horses shortly before authorities arrived, but it was the last of the food. He said that Jones was due to purchase more food and hay for the horses the following day.

Deputies found another horse  in small enclosure standing in a pile of manure that was several inches thick. None of the horses on the property had food or hay, and several lacked adequate water, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Pictured above and below: A Century man is facing six animal cruelty charges in connection with these animals seized in December. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

14 Responses to “Man Enters Plea On Eight Animal Cruelty Charges”

  1. tiny on May 17th, 2011 11:05 am

    I didnt know this person very well, Ive known of him for 30- plus years.
    Really sad to know he is capable of watching SUFFERING not a true
    lover of animals would allow this to happen,Kinda seems like if I cant
    have them no one can (SELFISH BEHAVIOR) shame on YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Atmore G on May 17th, 2011 8:53 am

    It all boils down to this.. If you take ownership of any animal, you should be willing and ABLE to care for it.. If you get to the point you can no longer properly care for and feed the animal, you should call the Humane Society of the local shelters and inform them before it is too late.. There is no excuse for this.. I can understand ignorance, but I cannot understand the cruelty and uncaring attitude of anyone who would watch an animal waste away and die..

  3. molino jim on May 16th, 2011 10:04 am

    Yes he needs to be punished, but it’s not easy to give away a horse. If you want a “free” horse go to the live stock sale with a trailer and leave it unlocked. Odds are you’ll have one when you return. When the government outlawed the sale of horse meat to other countries this cause a glut of horses on the market. I have not knowingly eaten horse meat, but I fail to understand why we butcher cows and not horses for those that may want the meat.

  4. OldMarine on May 15th, 2011 3:20 pm

    As a Street kid who knew starvation on a daily basis I can very easily relate to the pain of starvation .
    As a struggling Christian I can vaguely understand forgiveness
    As an Animal Lover and owner of many I can not

  5. unchainyourdog on May 15th, 2011 2:04 pm

    @Christine ~ Jones, as a human being, was capable of asking for help. The animals that suffered in his *care* had no voice. Regardless of his income and/or excuses, he violated FL Animal Cruelty Laws and that is a fact.

  6. Bjay on May 15th, 2011 9:24 am

    Christine- The FACTS are that the man should have gave the animals up long before they were able to take them. If you cant take care of something then find someone that can. Its called being an adult. It is his fault and nobody elses. I hope the judge hits him with the most severe penalties that the law would allow.

  7. Jack on May 15th, 2011 8:31 am

    the question “why didn’t someone try to help” makes me wonder why the questioner didn’t do something. Maybe she meant “why didn’t someone, (but not me) try to help”?

  8. Echo on May 15th, 2011 8:31 am

    It’s a shame he can’t be euthanized, after being starved and without water for a month!

  9. KIKI on May 15th, 2011 8:20 am

    this man doesn’t look like he has missed a meal, so why did he not share with his animals?

  10. Queenbee on May 15th, 2011 6:54 am

    The female dog that was seized with the puppies is still up for adoption. Go to http://www.panhandleequinerescue.org for more info.

  11. dad on May 15th, 2011 5:43 am

    Christine, Even if he didn’t have food because he couldn’t afford it, and no where in the article does it say that, there is no excuse for not providing water. I’m sure he could have found some type of old container and filled it with water for the animals. Not to mention cleaning up the filth the horses were standing in. That doesn’t cost anything.
    This doesn’t happen overnight. These animals were starved for a long time. he could have done something.

  12. Aminal Lover on May 15th, 2011 2:31 am

    @christine
    You must not have been following the case.

  13. joe on May 15th, 2011 1:07 am

    often people do not ask for help. why I do not know. It is hard to offer assistance while respecting another persons privacy. I would have no way of knowing these animals were in trouble unless the man asked for help. most people do not go around keeping tabs on their neighbors. I respect others privacy but hope if help is needed they will ask.

  14. christine on May 15th, 2011 12:45 am

    why didnt someone try to help him get food and hay and give a chance first before they took the animals.and if still occured then arrest him.every one deserves a chance first.he probably needed help.lets get facts before making judgement.only god can make that call

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News