Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office detectives charged a Plant City woman with one felony county of animal cruelty.
According to Sheriff’s Office reports, detectives were notified in April, of an abused horse that was previously acquired from Lynda Jo Vilches, of Plant City.
Detectives initiated an investigation and verified that a 25-year-old thoroughbred named Rusty had been neglected.
Agriculture detectives determined that while Rusty was under Vilches’ care, she deprived him of the proper nourishment by feeding him so little that he suffered malnutrition amounting to excessive and unnecessary pain and suffering. In addition to the sever malnutrition, Rusty’s left front fetlock was injured and left untreated, as well as severely overgrown hoofs, which causes extreme pain and discomfort with each step the horse took.
After consultation with a veterinarian, it was determined that there was no medical condition identified that would cause Rusty to be emaciated like he was — other than malnutrition due to neglect.
Rusty was euthanized April 24.
Vilches turned herself in May 18, to the Hillsborough County Jail.
