Charges reduced in animal abuse case

Suspect released on own recognizance

By Nathan Owens

Staff Writer

EL DORADO — A man accused of housing 12 malnourished pit bulls had his felony charges reduced to misdemeanor charges at his first court appearance on Wednesday. After he pled not guilty, the judge released him on his own recognizance without bond.

“We plead not guilty your honor,” Attorney Gary McDonald said in representation of his client, Jimmy D. Massey. “I’ve known him all his life.”

District Court Judge Jack Barker complied with the prosecuting attorney’s recommendation.

“He can be released,” Attorney Greg Thomas said.

Massey, 36, of El Dorado, was arrested Tuesday and initially charged with eight felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, but upon further review the charges were reduced to eight misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. His next court date is scheduled for May.

The main determinate between the aggravated felony charges and the misdemeanor charges is whether or not the owner “tortured” his animals, said Charles Hartsell, Union County Animal Control Officer.

“Seeing a dog without food or water isn’t enough to claim it was being tortured,” he said.

According to state law, a person commits the misdemeanor offense of cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly does one of the following: subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment; kills or injures any animal owned by another person without legal privilege or consent of the owner; abandons an animal at a location without providing for the animal’s continued care; fails to supply an animal in his or her custody with a sufficient quantity of wholesome food and water; fails to provide an animal in his or her custody with adequate shelter that is consistent with the breed, species, and type of animal; or carries on any motorized vehicle or boat in a cruel or inhumane manner.

On Tuesday authorities seized 12 dogs from a house on the 300 block of Christian Drive. Most of the dogs were chained to stakes, which is illegal within city limits. However Frank Massey, owner of the property, said their location is outside of the city’s limits and that his family has been raising healthy animals for decades.

“I’ve raised animals for 60 years, earned trophies for raising hogs, dogs, cows, you name it. And it’s part of my legacy to be the best at what I do,” he said. “You’ve gotta take good care of them.”

Jimmy Massey began breeding and selling pit bulls 14-15 years ago, mostly for hog hunting.

“The reason for the hog hide was to train them to sniff and smell out hogs, not for dog fighting,” Frank Massey said.

While animal control officers said the dogs were being hidden, the Massey’s questioned their reasoning.

“They weren’t being hid. They were in a shady spot to keep them out of the sun,” Frank Massey said.

Also, the Massey family said the dogs were being fed once a day by Jimmy and if he couldn’t do it after work, then a relative or friend would come by to feed the dogs.

“All these years, we’ve done this and I’ve never been in no trouble,” Frank Massey said.

The pit bulls are being held at the local animal pound while Massey’s case continues through court. The family plans to get the dogs back soon.

His next court appearance is scheduled for May regarding Jimmy Massey’s plea against the eight misdemeanor charges.

Nathan Owens may be reached at 870-862-6611 or email at [email protected]. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter: nowensednt.

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