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Cantonment Man Convicted On Multiple Animal Cruelty Charges
June 4, 2015
A Cantonment man was convicted on multiple animal cruelty charges and is now facing up to 10 years in prison.
Randolph Hewell Rigby, 45, was found guilty of two counts of felony cruelty to animals and two counts of unlawful confinement of animals. The charges involved four different horses. His jury trial lasted over 16 hours, with a verdict coming just after midnight. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail as he awaits sentencing by Judge Jennie Kinsey on June 29.
“Thanks to all who had a hand in helping the horses that were seized from that property. It has been a long hard case, but justice has been served. Sadly, we couldn’t save them all. For some, we arrived too late and they died a horrible death. For those we did save, we are so grateful that we reached them in time,” said Panhandle Equine Rescue President Diane Lowery.
Four other people were originally charged in the case . George Edward Kenneth Ahl, 24, Casey Tyler Ahl, 20, and Frances Rebecca Ahl, 73, pleaded prior to trial. Each was sentenced to a year on probation and prohibited from possessing animals. George Washington Ahl, 76, died before his case was heard. Only Rigby chose to go to trial.
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 in December 2013. A 17-page document released by the State Attorney’s office detailed the investigation and provided 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 back up on her own and doing well.
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. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
19 Responses to “Cantonment Man Convicted On Multiple Animal Cruelty Charges”
I have no pity for people who mistreat animals. I hope he gets what he deserves.
I heard that animal control was doing a great job since the major problem there was fixed. I heard he went to work for the shelter and now animal control works much better, even being as understaffed as they are.
The will always be a need for Panhandle Equine Rescue. No one is better suited for rehabilitating these animals.
If animal control were more effective and efficient, there would be no need for Panhandle equine rescue! I work on abuse cases and know it takes too long to get something actually done at times… Understaffed, no money too many cases of abuse and neglect go unprosecuted…
Animal control had been called on these people repeatedly for years! Neighbors complained of the flies and stench from the dead horse that lay less than a hundred yards behind their home until it decomposed! Horses were removed from their home once before.
I don’t know this man, but I figure that he’s one of the many the older couple rented a room to. The animals have been there for a long time. The problem existed long before this guy came into the picture. Just ask former animal control employees.
Just like any criminal case, investigations take time.to build. Animal control removed the animals on the third visit and followed through with an investigation so thorough that the state attorney’s office won the case with ease. The violator is looking at up to ten years in state prison so it looks like Sgt. Nowlin and the others involved did an excellent job.
Also, Panhandle Equine Rescue did a fabulous job of nurturing the horses back to health again. They are a true asset to the county and earn every cent that is donated to them.
This MONSTER first deserves to have the same treatment he gave his innocent horses. This breaks my heart!!!!
For the person who said they couldn’t believe how long they built the case, I live on the street where this took place. I saw animal control down there several times for a month or two before they finally took the animals. The horse that died could have been saved if they’d taken him away from there sooner. There was an elderly couple that lived in that house and they were charged also. They weren’t capable of feeding those horses. The only one who should have been charged was this man because he bragged to all of us how he owned those horses. He used to run them down the road on the pavement and it would make me sick. The horses would bolt and run through our yards instead. My daughter asked to pet one once and the poor thing had sores all over it. This was while animal control was down there frequently. I just don’t understand why it took so long to help the horses.
HOW SICK! Some people disgust me and how they treat innocent, sweet animals. I wish and hope he is punished the same way he did these poor animals. ANIMALS ARE GODS CREATURES AND HE PUNISHES THOSE WHO MISTREAT THEM!
They need to tie him on the meanest Bull in the rodeo circuit and let the bull take care of the p.unishment
That looks like Sgt. Nowlin from animal control in the gray and black uniform. It is so nice to see her taking control of all the abuse going on in the north end of Escambia County. We need more people like her who truly care about the animals.
I would like to see these folks treated the same as they treated these animals, and there is never any justification for the mistreatment of any animal. However, I was also disturbed by the article stating the LEO began the case in December 2013. While I understand the process of building a case, How much additional suffering did these poor animals have to endure during the interim while the case was being built?
This needless mess could have so easily been avoided. PER has phone and email address contact. The perps could have contacted them and told them they were unable to care for the animals. We donate to PER periodicly and do so just because we know there are needy animals as well as people. I urge anyone who’s disgusted at the condition of these animals to donate a bag or 2 of horse feed or a few bales of hay when they can. PER isn’t government funded and exists on a grant here or there (maybe) and donations from concerned people.
Bottom Line: IF YOU CAN’T CARE FOR YOUR HORSES, CALL SOMEONE WHO CAN AND WILL GIVE THEM CARE AND FIND THEM A RESPONSIBLE OWNER!!
sick sick
I believe that animal cruelty is a felony in all 50 states now. I hope the judge gives him the maximum sentence.
so very sad. This man does need prison time. How does someone do this to these poor animals? I hope the judge does give him the stiffest of sentences.
This happens WAY TOO OFTEN up here.
maybe what ever prison he ends up end maybe he ill receive the same treatment locked up and no food or water then he know how it feels IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE HE HAS MISSED ANY MEALS.
thank god for stiff laws now. why do animals have to suffer for the stupied people. if youre a horse lover as I am it breaks your heart to see any horse suffer. maybe bubba will tech these people you don’t starve an animal.it wont bring them back but remind these people what they have done. people please report animal abuse,dont turn your back. animals have feeling to. if you cant feed them call the rescue they have an answer.someone out there will help find them a home
This is absolutely horrible! So very sad! I pray that the animals found alive will get the appropriate care in the future. This man deserves to go to prison!