Environmental Law

This Is Just Incredible - Follow-up

By Walter James

On February 15, 2008, I wrote an entry regarding a case in East Texas regarding a family dairy farm.  The case was started by a complaint made by a neighbor (she alleged that he dairy farm was discharging material from its discharge pond illegally across her property).  During the investigation, this neighbor filed suit against the family alleging that the discharge under criminal investigation caused the death of several of her horses. 

On May 9, 2009, based upon received complaints of neglect concerning starving horses, the Texas Blue Animal Rescue and the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society along with officers from the Hopkins County Sheriff?s Department and Sulphur Springs Police Department removed the horses.  The officers served the owner, Carol Paselk, with a warrant to remove all horses from the property.  There were 57 horses living on the property in unsanitary conditions and without access to sufficient food and water.  There was also one deceased horse.  All of the living horses were removed and relocated.  You can read the full story and review pictures of the horses at http://www.bluebonnetequine.org/breakingnews.htm.

The case against Paselk will be heard on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. in Sulphur Springs, TX.  

Perhaps the USEPA should investigate the Paselk property for illegal discharges as there was reportedly uncontrolled run-off from large piles of horse manure?  

More later.

As always, feel free to contact me via e-mail at walter.james@jamespllc.com.

WDJiii

Full post as published by Environmental Crimes Blog on May 18, 2009 (boomark / email).