Two people were arrested at their ranch in Southwest Coryell County near FM 1690 and CR 155 on charges relating to animal cruelty.
39 horses, more than 200 Rottweiler, two Bengal tigers, two mountain lions, a primate, a deer, and a racoon were housed on the property.
Coryell County Sheriff’s Deputies originally responded to a tip about mistreated horses, however upon arrival at the ranch, they found the other areas.
Coryell County Sheriff’s Dept. Chief Deputy Joe Blakley said, “Once we got in the house and everything and found what the conditions looked like and all the dogs in the house and everything and the deer, it ended up being larger than we even thought.”
Officers arrested Raycene Moore, 63, and Curtis Moore, 51, on 11 counts of animal cruelty charges.
They’re working on warrants for the other animals on the property beside the horses.
The Moore’s had only one permit to house big cats, and investigators haven’t found a permit for the primate.
The horses were taken to a large animal clinic in Gatesville where investigators inspected and marked every horse.
The Houston SPCA came in to help with the dogs, a big game expert came to check on the tigers, lions and primate, and a game warden came and took the deer and racoon.
In addition to further charges for the animals on the property, the Moore’s could also face environmental charges because of a dump site on their property.
The horses and dogs will remain in “quarantine” for at least 10 days until a hearing is held on their condition.
Reporters:Matthew LeBlanc, Rebecca Schleicher/Photographers:Chris Buford, Matthew LeBlanc
Watch the video here: http://www.cbs19.tv/Global/story.asp?S=13941272
