Seized Texas Horses Returned to Owner
by: Pat Raia
October 26 2009,
Article # 15152
More than 30 horses removed from a petting zoo at a Texas feed store will be returned to their owner.
Dallas County law enforcement authorities and SPCA of Texas personnel removed the 35 horses and more than 300 other animals from Earnest Kearney, owner of the Kearney Store in Sunnyvale, Texas, on Oct. 6.
On Friday, Dallas County Justice of the Peace Gerry Cooper ordered the SPCA to return the horses along with other livestock to Kearney. Cooper also ordered Kearney pay the SPCA $12,000 for the animals' care. The SPCA retained custody of 130 seized pigeons and chickens.
"It's not a victory, but maybe it will make people have more understanding when they come to look at people's animals," Kearney said.
Kearney still faces one count of Class A misdemeanor Animal Cruelty in connection with the seizure.
