Photo: Courtesy Ozark County Times
An Ozark County man, 39-year-old Darrell L. Logan of Gainesville, has been charged with animal abuse in connection with allegations that he hit a horse with a shovel. The Ozark County Times reports the incident was depicted in a widely-circulated video through social media.
A criminal summons was issued in the case, setting Logan’s initial court appearance on Oct. 13.
The video was shared at least 5,000 times before it was taken down, and people from all over the country showed concern and anger, reaching out to The Times and the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the probable cause statement, the sheriff’s office was contacted by an investigator with the Humane Society of Missouri, who advised having received a report of an abused animal at a residence on Misty Lane in Gainesville. The investigator noted the alleged incident had been video-taped.
“I observed a person identified as Darrell Logan who struck a horse on the head and later on the rear of the horse with a large shovel,” the investigator wrote. “The second strike on the rear of the horse caused the shovel handle or shaft to break.”
The investigator went to the residence and spoke with someone other than Logan who agreed to allow the officer to inspect the animal.
He reported not seeing any noticeable injuries on the horse.
After inspecting the horse, the investigator reportedly received a call from Logan, and he agreed to come to the sheriff’s office.
After watching the video, Logan allegedly acknowledged the incident and said he struck the horse, and it was his child on the horse at the time of the incident.
He told investigators the shovel he struck the horse with was aluminum with a weak handle.
In Missouri, animal abuse is charged as a Class A misdemeanor.
If convicted of the misdemeanor charge, Logan could face up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,000.
In Missouri, the charge reaches felony level if the defendant was previously found guilty of animal abuse or the animal’s suffering was the result of torture or mutilation consciously inflicted while the animal was alive.
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