CRYSTAL SPRINGS, Miss. – A Copiah County man has been charged with four misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty who had over 100 horses injured, sick or dead on his property.
Jerry Earls, 59, may face more charges, Copiah County Sherriff Harold Jones said.
Jones told WLBT the cruelty counts involve four horses that needed medical attention, including one unable to put one foot down because of an injury and another with an old bullet wound.
So far, 90 to 95 horses have been accounted for, 14 horses were found dead and not buried, another clear cut violation of state law.
These horses were seized by the sheriff and they are in the custody and care of a local veterinarian.
The investigation into the rotting carcasses of some 20 horses began last weekend in Crystal Springs after a couple went to look at buying Earls property.
Jones said he also made sure that more than a dozen dead horses have been buried.
Earls’ ex-wife, Tori Earls, said he told her that three different people were supposed to bring backhoes and bury the horses, but none of them showed up.
