Deputies: Horse Found Dead, Lying in Feces
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MANSFIELD, Tenn. — Deputies said a horse was left to die in a barn and found starved and lying in its own feces. The owner, 51 year old Mark Tharpe, was arrested Wednesday and charged with animal cruelty. “If the horse wasn’t sick and you let it get in that kind of condition then, yea, there’s no excuse for that,” horse owner David Tonner said. Henry County deputies said the barn on Vale Road didn’t belong to Tharpe, but one of his relatives. That family member didn’t want to go on camera but said he had no idea the horse was exposed to such bad conditions. “All the rescues are full now but you can get somebody to get you some help, if nothing else just some feed,” Tonner said. Tharpe told officials he had put the horse down but Sheriff Monte Belew says no bullet holes were found. Belew says the horse had dug steep rings around itself, signs he said that the horse fought for its last breath. “If you got an animal you’re responsible for taking care of it,” Tonner said. For now officials say they’re working with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to help them solve this mystery. “They will examine hopefully some remains and some photos and they will be assisting us in the case as well,” Belew said. Deputies say Tharpe is out on a $5,000 bond. His first court appearance is December 3rd.
