Horse dragged behind flatbed trailer Midland, TX (US) Date: Aug 1, 2003 Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Ramiro Almagar

Case ID: 1655 Classification: Vehicular Animal: horse View more cases in TX (US) « Back to Search Results Login to Watch this Case

A West Texas man faces criminal charges after allegedly dragging an injured horse across a roadway after it fell off of his flatbed trailer. Ramiro Almagar, 40, was charged Friday with transporting an animal in a cruel manner and obstructing a highway. Assistant District Attorney Bob Stevens said the man could face more charges.
 
"We will not tolerate cruelty to animals in Midland County," Stevens told The Midland Reporter-Telegram for a story in Saturday's editions.

Almagar faces one year in jail and fine up to $4,000 for the cruelty charge and up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000 for the other charge.

The incident unfolded July 7 when Almagar shot the sick horse in the head with a .22 caliber rifle and then drove it to a landfill for disposal. Landfill employees turned him away because the animal was still alive, Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter said.

After leaving the landfill, the horse fell off of the trailer. Almagar put a chain around the animal's neck and dragged it to the side of the road to avoid obstructing traffic. Witnesses said the horse was kicking and flopping around while it was dragged.

When the animal was out of the roadway, Almagar shot the horse to death and dragged the carcass back to the landfill.

Almagar could not be reached by the newswpaper for comment Friday and it wasn't clear if he had an attorney. The Associated Press was unable to reach him by phone.

Following the incident, the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals posted a story on its Web site that encouraged people to contact the Midland County sheriff and urge him to recommend cruelty charges in the case.

References

Corpus-Christi Caller-Times

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