Auburn couple accused of starving horse charged with animal cruelty | Crime

An Auburn couple is facing animal cruelty charges after they allegedly let one of their horses nearly starve to death.

Prosecutors say Jason Markley and Cherish Thomas were negligent for not consulting a veterinarian and allowing the condition of their horse, Mr. Pibb, to deteriorate.

An organization called Save a Forgotten Equine, or SAFE, took Mr. Pibb into its care and brought him back to good health.

"You could see his ribs. You could see his hip and he had a condition called rain rot right here. When that happens, their hair literally comes out in clumps," said SAFE's Bonnie Hammond. 

Prosecutors charged both Markley and Thomas with animal cruelty, but Markley denies the charges. He said the couple fed the horse, which was a Christmas present for their kids, different types of food and hay, but none of it worked.

"We fed the horses, so when they said we willingly starved them, well I'm not going to say it's a lie, but it's a total wrong fact," he said.

Vets later discovered that the horse was full of parasites and his condition was grave.

With criminal charges hanging over his head, Markley now says he regrets the Christmas present,.

"In hindsight I don't ever want a horse ever again," he said. "I like horses, I'll go visit horses, but I don't want the responsibility."

Mr. Pibb is 26-years old, but Hammond said he's still got a few good years left in him. He is ready for adoption, along with about 20 other horses SAFE has in its care.