Riverview Man Arrested After Horse Found Dead In Back Yard

RIVERVIEW, FL -- 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 arrested Thursday, April 11, on two counts of unlawful confinement/abandonment of animals after Hillsborough County deputies discovered he had two horses in his back yard on Adventure Drive that were severely neglected.

When deputies responded to a complaint of animal neglect, they found the adult horses 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. After further investigation, interviews and a veterinarian examination of the horses, Middleton was arrested and bond was set at $1,000.

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 below).

This is an active investigation and additional charges could be pending.