No Criminal Charges for Animal Service Workers

Manatee County Animal Services workers who were connected with Napier’s Log Cabin Horse and Animal Sanctuary won’t face criminal charges.

That’s from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office detectives who have concluded there’s just not enough evidence to hold employees responsible for any of the wrongdoing that went on at the rescue that was shuttered earlier this year. The shelter’s owners, Alan and Sheree Napier, however, do face animal cruelty and fraud charges, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported.

Animal Services had an ongoing transfer contract with the shelter, which means animals in the county’s care were often transferred to the Napiers. The couple’s shelter was raided back in February with about 300 animals confiscated as a result.

The sheriff’s office’s investigation focused on how Animal Services workers handled complaints filed about the sanctuary. Investigators looked at 39 complaints that were lodged between 2007 and 2014, the Bradenton Herald reported. Of those complaints, some 20 arrived by email and only four of those were followed up on by an animal services officer.

Even so, the sheriff’s office said there’s not enough evidence to pursue charges. Prosecutors are now reviewing the sheriff’s office’s 484-page report.

Check out the Bradenton Herald’s full story here.