Carol Paselk, the former owner of the 57 horses T-Bar and BEHS helped law enforcement officials seize in May, was just found guilty of two counts of animal cruelty!
In reference to the story May 2009 (see below) , 57 horses seized by Hopkins County law enforcement assisted by True Blue Animal Rescue of Brenham and BEHS of College Station.
On Thursday October 29th 2009, Carol Paselk was found guilty on two class A misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty. The presiding Judge was Amy Smith. Prosecuting Attorney was Hopkins County Attorney Dusty Rabe. Ms. Paselk received 365 days jail time for the first count, which was probated for two years. And 275 days jail time for the second count which she will serve. In addition she will have to pay $500.00 in fines and court costs. Also, 80 hours community service, restitution paid to the rescues for expenses incurred above normal care due to her neglect of the animals.
Also, it was ordered by Judge Smith that Ms. Paselk will not be able to own or care for ANY animal, inside or outside of her home for the duration of her sentence. Ms. Paselk is currently being held in the Hopkins County Jail on a $10,000.00 bond ($5000.00 each count) pending appeal. True Blue Animal Rescue would like to thank Judge Amy Smith, C.A. Dusty Rabe and the jury for finding for the horses and finally giving them the justice they so deserve.
T-Bar hopes that this case will let the public know it is NOT okay to abuse or neglect animals and that there are consequences if it happens. The horses are all doing well, gaining weight, are or will be ready for adoptive homes very soon.
If anyone is interested in adopting or being a foster home for one or more of these horses, they can contact us at [email protected] .
Girl Scout Troop 280 visits T-Bar
Girl Scout Troop 280 came out to visit Tbar. They collected and donated rags and paper towels to help us take care of the animals. They also donated $50 from their cookie money to sponsor one of the Hopkins Co. horses. We let them sponsor one of the stallions here and they even got to name him. His name is now Brownie. Here are pictures of the girls meeting our blind horse Jasmine, then meeting and learning about a skinny horse like Brownie. They watched Dale give Brownie a bath and then they cleaned his stall! It was a great day and at the end they sat in front of the barn for a group picture! They plan to come back in the fall!
A Texas Justice of the Peace has awarded custody of 57 Thoroughbred and Arabian horses to the equine welfare groups that have been caring for them since the animals were seized May 9.
Hopkins County law enforcement authorities and volunteers from the True Blue Animal Rescue and the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society seized the animals from owner Carol Paselk. Melanie DeAeth, president of True Blue Animal Rescue, said the horses were malnourished and needed veterinary and farrier care.
On Tuesday, Justice of the Peace Yvonne King ruled that the horses were neglected and that rescue groups should continue providing rehabilitative care until the horses can be placed in adoptive homes. Paselk was unavailable for comment.
UPDATE: Criminal charges have now been filed against Carol Paselk.
For Immediate Release