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Bastrop County Horse Abuser May Face Felony Charge


A horse, involved in a terrible case of animal cruelty, is now recovering at a rescue center in Nixon, near San Antonio.  It was taken there after Bastrop County authorities said its owner got frustrated, tied the horse to his truck and dragged it down the road.

The search is still on for the man accused of this heinous act. Mariano Resendiz Villafuerta faces one count of animal cruelty, punishable by up to a year in jail. But the lead investigator said he's determined to make sure the punishment fits the crime. He said this was torture of an animal and the charge should be a felony.

“The crime is just too cruel,” said lead investigator, Sgt. Ric Cole.

He explained that Villafuerta was bucked off his horse. Frustrated, Villafuerta tied the animal to the back of his truck and started to speed. Once the horse couldn't keep up any longer, it fell, and deputies said Villafuerta dragged the animal more than 150 yards.

Amazingly, the horse, with his hide torn to the muscle in some areas, is expected to make a full recovery.

Sgt. Cole is now working with the District Attorney to issue a new warrant for Villafuerta's arrest, changing the charge to a state jail felony. Instead of facing up to one year in jail, Villafuerta would face up to six.

Sgt. Cole said Villafuerta's last known address is in Austin. But Villafuerta does not have a social security number or driver's license on record. Austin police are now assisting in the search.

If you have any leads, contact the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office.

To donate to the rescue center were the horse is recovering, go to http://www.meadowhavenrescue.com/.

By Katherine Stolp

Photo from the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office