Animal cruelty charges were filed Monday against a Johnson City man who allegedly starved three burros to death and neglected a horse to the point that it had to be euthanized.
James Carmichael, 714 Crowell Lane, was charged with four counts of cruelty to animals. Johnson City/Washington County Animal Control Officer Wayne Thomas said three other large animals on Carmichael’s property would be removed.
“He’s going to turn himself in tomorrow and I’m going to give him the opportunity to sign a release to allow them to be moved. ... If not, we’re going to take then anyway,” Thomas said Monday night.
The dead burros, two adults and a 6-month-old colt, and an emaciated mare were found in a small field behind Carmichael’s home about 8 a.m. Saturday after neighbors at a nearby apartment complex called police and reported a horse was down on the property. Thomas and veterinarian Dr. Alex Dulaney spent several hours attempting to revive the mare before finally euthanizing her early Saturday evening.
Thomas said the mother burro and her colt appeared to have been dead for about a week and the third burro appeared to have been dead for about two weeks.
“He (Carmichael) told me he believed the baby and its mother were stomped to death by the other horses. But I don’t believe that’s how it happened,” Thomas said.
“There was no hay on the property and nothing on the field to nibble on. There was about 30 or 40 pounds of sweet feed in a blue barrel, but not nearly enough for six large animals like that. ... Even the trees they could get to had the bark chewed off of them.”
Thomas said when he retuned to the property on Sunday, Carmichael had buried the three dead animals and placed a round bale of hay in the field. “That was a day late and a dollar short,” he said. “If he could do that, he could have done it before they died.”
Animal Control Director Debbie Dobbs said two other horses and a burro on Carmichael’s property were in better condition. “They looked much better than the others,” she said. “We’ll be back out there ... to get the others.”
Concerned_One96 writes:
January 7, 2013
11:35 PM
Starvation is one of the most agonizing ways an animal can die.
treestreetchick writes:
January 8, 2013
12:38 AM
This is the saddest story I have read in a while...bless the sweet innocent animals.
justmyopinion2012 writes:
January 8, 2013
5:40 AM
Awful, just awful. This makes me sick to my stomach. Those poor burros. I think James Carmichael is the animal!
MannyCalavera writes:
January 8, 2013
6:02 AM
If the guy manages to get Judge Robert Cupp, he'll be A-OK. It's ok to torture the family dog to death so long as you get a job afterwards, so this guy can probably just buy the judge a coke or something and have it all called even.
moonshinegrrl writes:
January 8, 2013
8:01 AM
Why do people that see animals starving wait to call this in? Judge Cupp and dog killer and this guy probably be hanging out. The justice system don't do anything to these people, how could they now after the precedent set with dog killer. This is another sorry excuse for a human being! I hope horrible things happen to you.
Whitey writes:
January 8, 2013
10:43 AM
Very sad to hear of the poor burros. What a shame it is that he let them starve and didn't call WCHS to feed them. WCHS would have fed them and found new homes for them. Anything would have been better than doing nothing and letting the poor things starve. This is the pits. Hard to believe there are people in the world like this.
Whitey writes:
January 8, 2013
4:02 PM
It's so sad that the animals cannot speak for themselves. We speak for them, and we let them die of starvation. This is one of the most cruel cases I've ever heard of. These poor animals suffered a lot.
mojo writes:
January 8, 2013
4:25 PM
This really does shock me. I have known Mr. Carmichael for many years. In the past he has went out of his way to help people. I just wonder if there may be medical reason for this. I really was shocked to read this. The Jim I know in his right mind would have never done this.I know I will get racked over the coals for this comment,but it is the truth.
Concerned_One96 writes:
January 8, 2013
6:43 PM
I believe that Judge Cupp has already made it quite clear that he doesn't consider animal cruelty or murder to be a very serious offense. I doubt that he'll be able to resist the urge once again let another truly bad person get away with a slap on the wrist just to tick off the animal rights advocates.
FIREBALL writes:
January 8, 2013
10:18 PM
Why would you allow your animals to get to such a state? I doubt he owned these animals with the intent to harm them.
breakout writes:
January 9, 2013
9:08 AM
No, he probably didnt intend to kill them. But, apathetic people are as dangerous as any intentional killer. He likely didn't have the time or make the effort to get food for these animals. Does that make the end result any less horrible? If he would have shot the animals earlier I believe they would have suffered less.
He shouldn't worry though. I am sure Judge Cupp will fine him $25 and he will be on probation for 30 days.
jmcpherson writes:
January 10, 2013
9:29 AM
The only punishment fitting, is to starve him. Ugh! If you can't take. Are of animal, don't get them or give them away.
provided.