Brevard Sheriff’s Agents Arrest Horse Sisters Owner Clairese Austin, Charged With Animal Cruelty

By  //  January 17, 2019

SUSPECT being held on $6,000 bond, ONE HORSE humanely euthanized at the scene

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office arrested 53-year-old Clairese Marie Austin of Titusville after an investigation showed that she had failed to provide proper nutrition or veterinarian care for three horses in her care. (Image by BCSO)

CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS OF ANIMAL CRUELTY

BREVARD COUNTY • TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA – The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office arrested 53-year-old Clairese Marie Austin of Titusville on Wednesday after an investigation showed that she had failed to provide proper nutrition or veterinarian care for three horses in her care.

Austin, who is the owner of Horse Sisters Rescue, was charged with three counts of Animal Cruelty. She was transported to the Brevard County Jail where she is being held on $6,000. bond.

The arrest occurred after the Sheriff’s Office was alerted by a citizen who was concerned for the welfare of the horses.

The Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Unit responded to the rescue located in Mims where they found three horses on the property who were extremely emaciated, with one being unable to stand.

Austin admitted to not caring for the horses, stating that she had not sought veterinarian care for the horses because she could not afford it.

Unfortunately, one of the horses was in such bad shape that it had to be humanely euthanized at the scene.

The two remaining horses were seized and transported from the property by trailer to the Brevard County Animal Care Center where they were examined and are currently being cared for by our team.

It was determined that the horses were suffering from extreme starvation due to neglect as the examining veterinarian advised this was the worst case of starvation that she had ever encountered.

The Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Unit responded to the rescue located in Mims where they found three horses on the property who were extremely emaciated, with one being unable to stand. 
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There is absolutely no reason that these horses should have been allowed to suffer and not be properly cared for.

In our community, there is any number of resources and citizens who would have gladly assisted with these horses. As I have said before.

“if you harm an animal you need to go straight to jail” Cases such as this are so disturbing! How can people be so neglectful and uncaring to allow such senseless acts to occur to helpless pets who provide us with absolute and unconditional love.

I would like to personally thank the citizen who notified us, our incredible Animal Services Team and our Animal Cruelty Unit for all they did to provide care for the horses and to investigate the case so the perpetrator could be brought to justice.

Our team is working around the clock, providing love and care in hopes we can save the two remaining horses.

– Sheriff Wayne Ivey

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