Alert 2/21/08 Junior Horton’s Day in Court
Just asthis was to be sent out, we checked again with Carroll County and the trial scheduled for tomorrow has been continued. A new date has not been announced.
Please read on. Please push for HB538.
We have an opportunity to make history by helping pass HB538, the puppymill bill patroned by Del. Orrock. Several recent alerts have addressed how you can help. (See the website to review earlier alerts: www.VirginiaVotersForAnimalWelfare.com.
“Junior” Horton’s puppymill was a major impetus for HB538.
Tomorrow Mr. Horton is scheduled to be tried in Carroll County’s General District Court.
Can you attend? There is no guarantee that the trial will actually move forward tomorrow and not be continued, but last word (late day 2/20) is that it will take place. If you can go, please let the prosecution (the Commonwealth Attorney) know you plan to attend; all contact information is below.
For those who feel that HB538 has been weakened too much, please take heart. Look at the charges Mr. Horton faces! These charges could be made against other puppymills. HB538 provides a way to identify and inspect such places before they get to the horrible state Mr. Horton’s place was in. Major thanks to VA PAWS for bringing this to the attention of Carroll County!
Our “ask”:
1. keep the faith and keep pushing for HB538’s passage
2. make sure you reach every member of the Senate Ag committee, saying you want HB538 passed (see posted alerts for members names and contact info)
3. make sure you reach every member of the Senate Finance committee, saying the same thing
4. come to Carroll County tomorrow if you can; if you cannot, contact the Commonwealth Attorney, Gregory Goad, and let him know you support rigorous enforcement of the law with Mr. Horton
Here is the information, taken from our Court Watch program:
2/22/08 9:30 a.m.
TRIAL OF LANZIE HORTON, JR.
Carroll County General District Court
605 Pine Street; Hillsville, VA 24343-0698
phone: 276-730-3050 fax: 276-730-3054
Clerk: Donna Janette Webb
email: dwebb@courts.state.va.us
Case #s: GC08000813 through GC08000852
charges case #s
not paying dog licensing tax when due GC08000813
pet shop not offering adequate care (25 counts) GC08000814 through 817
GC08000825
GC08000833 through 852
animal cruelty generally (14 counts) GC08000818 through 824
GC08000826 through 832
Prosecutor: Gregory Goad, Commonwealth Attorney
PO Box 280; Hillsville, VA 24343
phone: 276-730-3091 fax: 276-728-5111
email: ggoad@carrollcountyva.org
Asst. Commonwealth Attorney: Karen O. Boyer
phone: 276-730-3090 fax:
email: kboyer@carrollcountyva.org
Background:
On 11/1/07, Carroll County Animal Control authorities were contacted by Virginia Partnership for Animal Welfare and Support (VA PAWS) concerning a puppymill located in the Town of Hillsville. A team of animal control professionals along with a veterinarian visited the property and found 1,080 small breed dogs of various ages in several locations on the property including building and cages. The owner and operator of the puppy mill, Lanzie Horton, Jr., had a license to keep 500 dogs. He consented to the surrender of 980+ dogs on that date. Source: Carroll County Animal Control Press Release
There was an outpouring of assistance from a network of shelters to aid in this rescue operation. Volunteers from the Washington region joined others from Florida and New York who streamed to the rural town of Hillsville. “It’s been incredible,” Carroll County Administrator Gary Larrowe said. Larrowe had declared a state of emergency after hundreds of dogs were found living in filthy cages. Officials said they think it is the largest suspected puppy mill ever found in the state. Source: Petloverstips.com, 11/11/07; Houston Chronicle, 11/11/07; inRich.com, 11/11/07.
Horton surrendered to authorities on 1/31/08 and was released on $5,000 bond. Source: WHSV, Harrisonburg, VA News. He was charged on 1/31/08 with 14 counts of animal cruelty (punishable by fine of $2,500 and 1 year in jail on each charge), 25 counts of animal neglect (punishable by fine of not more than $500 each count) and one count of failing to obtain a license tax for 125 unlicensed adult dogs (punishable by fine of $250). The charges accuse Horton of depriving dogs of necessary food, drink, shelter or emergency veterinary treatment, and of failing to adequately house, feed, water, exercise or care for animals in his possession. Source: The Roanoke Times, 2/2/08.
A court date of 2/5/08 was set to appoint an attorney for Mr. Horton, but he retained his own counsel. The trial date is now set for 2/22/08 at 9:30 a.m. Source: Telephone conversation 2/5/08 with Carroll County Circuit Court Clerk; Carroll County Circuit Court records.
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Lillian Clancy and Don Marro