The two individuals that were arrested in connection with an Animal Cruelty case involving horses pastured at a location on County Road 32 – are now out of jail.
59 year old Leon Junior Green and 33 year old LaToya Diane Green, both of Gadsden – were released just before 5:00pm Monday after making bond of $2,500 each. The two had been placed under arrest last Friday (July 7th) charged with cruelty to animals following an investigation involving at different stages the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Animal Control and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
That investigation was launched following outcries from members of the community, citing alleging mistreatment of horses owned by the Greens.
Unfortunately one of the horses left in the pasture on County Road 32 had to be euthanized, however the pony along with two other horses which had been there previously are now in the care of the Red Clay Ranch Equine Rescue & Sanctuary, located just across the state line in Chattooga County, Georgia.
Lee and Phil Rast are the owners and operators of Red Clay Ranch and on Tuesday morning WEIS Radio News spoke with Lee by telephone, and she gave us an update on the condition of the three horses.
We’ll present that interview on Wednesday.
Red Clay Ranch Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. happened by accident, or by luck, or by Divine Providence. It was not the original plan for our retirement. That said, we are enormously grateful that fate directed us into this mission.
Having horses was initially intended as a retirement activity, but the overwhelming need for a rescue facility in our area became abundantly apparent. Starting with our four personal horses, we accepted two retirees from a local University equitation program. Being blessed with acreage, we continued to accept old horses for sanctuary.
We soon discovered that neglect and abuse were prevalent all over the country, and Georgia was no exception. We could not turn a blind eye and soon found ourselves with ever increasing numbers of equine in need. RCR’s current population holds at about 80 with some being trained for re-homing. We have adapted certain areas of our property to accommodate those with special requirements such as our blind horse population.
We are thrilled that we have found our mission in our retirement! What could be better than offering love and care to these, the most beautiful of God’s creatures?
RCR is a fully licensed, 501c3 non-profit organization designed to offer rehabilitation and sanctuary to equine in need. We are internationally accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. We accept abused, neglected, starved horses as well as elderly horses who are living out the remainder of their days in green pastures. Also in residence are younger horses that are not otherwise adoptable due to infirmity or injury.
Owned and operated by Lee and Phil Rast, RCR is unique in that all property is privately owned. There are never administration fees or property rental fees. Thus, 100% donations are directed solely to the care of the horses.