Jackson County man charged with animal cruelty

By Deborah Buckhalter

Published: May 12, 2008

A Jackson County man was arrested on animal cruelty charges Monday and, with his consent, many of his horses have been turned over to a volunteer who offered to rescue the Arabian mares and stallions.

Tommy Neal James, 55, was booked into the Jackson County jail late Monday afternoon, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a press release from that agency, a deputy was assigned to the case after authorities received a complaint that several of James’ horses appeared to be in poor condition. One horse had also died, authorities learned.

Because of the poor condition of the other horses in the same group, a formal complaint was filed against James alleging animal cruelty, and an arrest warrant was issued, according to the press release.

The horses were located at 4930 Hasty Pond Road in Marianna.

The animals’ rescuer, Melanie Higdon, said it appears that even the most emaciated of the horses, a mare named “Medaha,” has a good chance to recover now that they’re receiving the proper nutrition and health care.

Many of the animals, she said, appeared to be suffering from malnutrition and were worm-infested.
She has rescued 10 stallions, one gelding, and the rest are mares.

All the stallions have been placed in temporary foster care with various families in the area, and all the mares are right now with Higdon. However, she said she has found homes for all or most of them with owners who can adopt the animals once authorities clear them for permanent placement.

The incident has given rise to a new organization that Higdon had been planning to start for about two years.

She has now established Hidden Creek Horse Rescue.

“There’s such a need for it in this area,” Higdon said. “Sometimes people fall on hard times and just can’t give the horses the care the need. They don’t know where to turn in order to get assistance for their horses under those circumstances. I started the idea about two years ago, but it’s been kick-started because of this. If I just kept talking about it instead of doing something, I wasn’t going to accomplish too much.”

Higdon said she can be reached at 526-2231 by anyone who may be in need of her help, or who may want to donate to the cause.

Higdon said she’s working to achieve non-profit status for her new organization so that potential contributors could realize tax benefits in giving.

“It would be great if people were able to help with the feed and the vet bills, because I do believe there is a real need.”

A Web site, floridahorserescue.com, can be viewed for more information about the organization.

The rescue operation at James’ farm has been ongoing for several days.

In fact, Higdon said she found it rewarding that she’d spent her Mother’s Day rescuing a mother-to-be on James’ farm.

She’s also happy to report that the pregnant mare was in relatively good condition and should give birth to a healthy foal soon. It was a pretty meaningful way to spend that red-letter day, she said.