Charges Against Riverview Man Upgraded In Horse Cruelty Case

RIVERVIEW, FL -- Charges against a man accused of starving two horses in his Riverview back yard have been upgraded to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Deputies added the felony charge after the investigation found that David Middleton, 60, was aware that one of the horses had colic and was suffering. Middleton, who has more than 10 years of experience with horses, failed to seek veterinary attention, resulting in the "cruel death of the horse," according to the sheriff's office.

A Riverview man is facing animal neglect charges after a dead horse was discovered in his back yard in Panther Trace subdivision.
David Wayne Middleton, 60, was originally chatged with two counts of unlawful confinement/abandonment of animals on April 11 after deputies discovered he had two horses in his back yard on Adventure Drive in Panther Trace subdivision that were severely neglected.

When deputies responded to a complaint of animal neglect, they found that two adult horses had been confined to a 40-square-foot area with no food, water or shelter. One horse had been dead for several days.

Several neighbors told deputies they had not seen the owner in weeks. Agricultural deputies were able to contact Middleton, who responded to the scene where he was arrested.

The surviving horse, Levi, was transported to a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office shelter where he is receiving medical care along with plenty of food and water (see video).

With the additional charges, Middleton's bond was raised to $3,000.

Related story: Riverview Man Arrested After Horse Found Dead In Back Yard