TEXARKANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2008 (Wednesday)
Officer Kristi Mitchell
Public Information Officer
903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)
903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)
On April 29, 2008, Texarkana Arkansas Police Officer Joe Rochelle responded to 6010 North State Line Avenue, GCR Tire, in reference to an animal cruelty call. When Officer Rochelle arrived he located a blue Chevy Truck pulling a 22’ livestock trailer, parked in the parking lot of the business. Officer Rochelle noticed that the small trailer was packed with numerous horses. The Officer also observed that one of the horses was lying on the floor of the trailer, while the other horses were stepping and walking over it. It was apparent to Officer Rochelle that all of the horses were extremely malnourished and emaciated, along with some of the animals’ fur and hair missing. Animal control was then contacted due to the nature of the situation and to help in the investigation. Neither of the suspects, Emmons Booth, W/M 64 YOA, or Betty Blackburn, W/F 77 YOA, were able to provide proper Coggins paperwork on any of the animals. Suspect, Blackburn advised she was asked by her son to transport the horses from Memphis, Tennessee to Paris, Texas at an unknown location for an unknown reason. It was then determined that all twelve horses were to be seized and quarantined. Dwight Duncan, with the Four States Fairgrounds, was contacted and immediately offered assistance in providing spaces for the animals for the continuing investigation. Dixie Wilson, with the ARTEX Animal Welfare League, was also notified and quickly began assisting in providing care for the animals.
Both Booth and Blackburn were arrested and released on a D.L bond for cruelty to animals in transportation.
Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime is encouraged to notify TAPD or Texarkana area CrimeStoppers at 903-793-STOP.
Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.