A Molino man has been charged by the West Virginia State Attorney’s Office in connection with 65 animals that were found starving in Molino last December.
Donkeys among animals rescued
Molino man has been charged by the West Virginia State Attorney's Office in connection with 65 animals that were found starving.
James Russell Williams, age 61 of Bet Raines Road, was charged with animal abuse, two counts of unlawful confinement of animals and two counts of unlawful disposal of dead animals. Early Friday, he remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $2,500.
On December 9, Escambia County Animal Control officres seized 18 donkeys, six miniature horses, four goats, 12 peacocks and 25 pigs in poor condition from a property near Molino.
Williams had been hired by the property owner as caretaker for the animals, according to Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille. The owner was in the hospital at the time of the seizure. The property owner later passed away.
Diane Lowry of Panhandle Equine Rewcue has thanked the community for their donations to help with the emergency hay and vet bills. PER successfully rescued all the donkeys and minis. Sadly, one of the donkeys did not survive. All the others were placed in good homes.