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Fifth Suspect Arrested In Cantonment Animal Cruelty Case

A fifth and final suspect has been arrested in connection with a Cantonment animal cruelty case.

George Washington Ahl, 76, was charged with three counts of causing the cruel death, pain and suffering of animals,  and four counts of unlawful confinement of animals. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on his own recognizance.

Last month, George Edward Kenneth Ahl, 23, Casey Tyler Ahl, 19, Frances Rebecca Ahl, 72, and  Randolph Hewell Rigby, 43, were arrested on similar charges. The charges against the five defendents were brought directly by the State Attorney’s Office.

According to case documents, multiple horses, donkeys and goats were seized from the 400 block of Crowndale Court, while several other animals were found dead on the property.

Escambia County Animal Control officers began their investigation last December. A 17-page document released  by the State Attorney’s office details the investigation and provides numerous graphic examples of abuse investigators said they found.

Officers reported finding one horse that was dead and apparently stuck in a fence. Several horses were so malnourished that their bones were protruding, while other had hair loss and marks consistent with a condition called rain rot fungus. Many of the animals had numerous sores and wounds, according to the report. Most were malnourished, and one horse had resorted to eating feces. There was little food available for the animals.

Animal Control also located eight poodles, a doberman and five cats on the property.

One of the malnourished horses, a black Tennessee Walker named Ebony, was taken to Panhandle Equine Rescue for rehabilitation. When officers found Ebony on the property, her bones were showing, her stomach was distended and distended, and she suffered from rain rot.

Over the next several weeks, PER and volunteers worked to save  Ebony. She was the subject of several NorthEscambia.com articles as PER and volunteers kept watch over her and raised funds for a sling to help her to her feet. Now, she’s able to walk and run on her own and has gained several pounds.

As of Friday morning, George Edward Kenneth Ahl, remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $55,000. Casey Ahl and Frances Ahl were released from jail on a $16,000 bond, and  Randolph Rigby was free on a $21,000 bond. Each has pleaded not guilty the charges against them.

Editor’s note: George Washington Ahl’s mugshot was unavailable from the Escambia County Jail Thursday night.

Pictured above: Escambia County Animal Control, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Cantonment Station and volunteers use a makeshift sling to lift Ebony, a horse seized from Crowndale Court in Cantonment.. Pictured below: Ebony, was unable to get on her feet in her stall about a week after she was seized. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.