LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) – A Lafayette man has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty after a dead horse and an emaciated horse were found at his home.
The Journal & Courier reports the charges were filed against James Fitzsimons last week. Fitzsimons could not be reached for comment because the telephone number listed for him had been disconnected. Court records did not indicate he has hired an attorney.
According to a police report filed by Tippecanoe County animal control officer April Keck, Fitzsimons said in April the reason the horses were so thin was he had a hard time finding hay over the long, harsh winter.
She said the horses had resorted to eating tree bark to try to get nourishment.
An initial hearing is scheduled for Sept. 29.
