Tennessean.com
February 2010
He is sentenced to 11 months, 29 days at 75 percent, all of which was suspended with one year of probation. Whiticker is ordered to pay $1,000 restitution to Volunteer Equine Advocates, who has cared for the seized animals.
A Portland man who was accused of mistreating five horses on his 72-acre farm was found guilty on one count of animal cruelty.
Edward Whiticker, 65, was arrested following an investigation that started Thursday, Jan. 28.
Five starving, diseased horses were seized from Whiticker’s property on Opossum Road in Portland and held as evidence against Whiticker, who was charged with five counts of animal cruelty.
Ribs and hips show through the skin on the seized horses, and several suffer from rain rot, a fungal condition.
“These animals are in a life-threatening situation,” said Jamie Clifton, chairman of Volunteer Equine Advocates days after the arrest.
Whiticker appeared in General Sessions Court on Friday, Feb. 19. He was found guilty of one count of animal cruelty. The other four counts were not prosecuted.
He is sentenced to 11 months, 29 days at 75 percent, all of which was suspended with one year of probation. Whiticker is ordered to pay $1,000 restitution to Volunteer Equine Advocates, who has cared for the seized animals. The seized animals are forfeited to Sumner County Animal Control.
Also part of the sentence is that Whiticker is not allowed to possess or own horses, nor may he have them on his property.