Independence, La (NBC33) —
On June 12th, 2011, Tangipahoa Parish deputies learned that a horse became extremely dehydrated on a trail ride and was later left on the side of the road for dead.
Derrick Couch, 34, and Mike Tanner, 50, and two other subjects were horseback riding in St. Helena Parish on June 11 when one of their horses became dehydrated and developed a cramp in its leg.
The above stated subjects then headed back to the truck where the horse was placed inside the horse trailer.
On the ride back to one of the subject’s residences, the horse must have fallen down and was trampled on by several other horses resulting in the broken neck of the ill horse.
Upon learning of the horse’s death, the subjects then pulled over on the side of the road of South Cason Road, tied the dead horse to a tree and left the scene.
It was learned that Tanner and Couch were the one’s who actually tied the deceased horse to the tree and fled. Both were arrested and charged with Aggravated Cruelty to Animals.
