By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
The ownership of a horse seized after its owner was arrested on a felony animal cruelty charge in April has been awarded to the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office.
Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez told the 830 Times Friday a hearing on the horse was held May 17 in the court of Maverick County Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Rosanna “Roxi” Rios in Eagle Pass.
Following evidence presented during the hearing, Rios ordered ownership of the horse, named Fool For It, be awarded to the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office.
“Fool For It” came to the attention of the sheriff’s office after a Del Rio woman shot a video on April 4 of the horse lying on her side and being relentlessly whipped by a man, later identified as her owner, Rodolfo Sanchez of Eagle Pass. The incident occurred at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds.
Sanchez took the horse back to Eagle Pass following the incident, and sheriff’s deputies traveled to that city, arrested Sanchez on felony animal cruelty charges and seized the horse.
Martinez on Friday released a copy of the order signed by Rios following the hearing.
It reads, “This court finds that respondents, Rodolfo Sanchez and Luis Manuel Chia, as owners of the following described animal: ‘Fool For It,’ 3-year-old, sorrel, mare, quarter horse, did cruelly treat the animal by neglecting to seek medical examination for a potential medical condition that a reasonable owner would have investigated. This court further finds that the respondent, Rodolfo Sanchez, caused unjustifiable pain and suffering to the animal by repeatedly striking said animal with a whip.”
The order also reads, “It is therefore ordered that said respondents, Rodolfo Sanchez and Luis Manuel Chia, are hereby divested of any and all ownership interest of ‘Fool For It.’”
Rios next awarded the ownership of the horse “to Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office for possible placement with an appropriate nonprofit animal shelter.”
Rios also ordered Sanchez and Chia to pay costs associated with care of the horse in the amount of $5,166.14.
The judge noted in her order that the owners have the right to appeal the order.
“The court finds that the estimated costs likely to be incurred to house and care for the impounded animal during the appeal process is $4,500. It is therefore ordered that the amount of bond necessary to perfect an appeal is $9,666.14.”
Martinez said Friday if Sanchez and Chia wish to appeal the Eagle Pass judge’s order, they must do so before the end of June. He also noted that the felony animal cruelty case against Sanchez has been filed with the district attorney’s office here.
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