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MERCEDEES LYNN COX and TYLER JAMES WILLIAM HANNERS arrested - Two mares found severely malnourished

- Florida, USA -


On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous call reporting that two horses had been starving at a property in the 16600 block of the southwest 42nd Loop.


Responding deputies found an 8-year-old Chestnut Quarter Horse mare named Cinnamon and an 18-year-old Old Bay Thoroughbred mare named Broadway, who were severely malnourished.


In a press release, the sheriff’s office said that Corporal Struble, Corporal James Manning, and Marion County Animal Control responded to the scene to conduct an investigation from which it emerged that 24-years-old MERCEDEES LYNN COX and 27-years-old TYLER JAMES WILLIAM HANNERS (both pictured), had bought Cinnamon and Broadway in June 2022.

Since then, Cinnamon and Broadway have lost a significant amount of weight.


Cinnamon and Broadway were in such visibly poor body condition that a veterinary with the Peterson Smith Equine Hospital was called in.


According to the press release, “Broadway was found to have a displaced colon, colic from ingesting sand, and a body condition score of one, which indicates she was emaciated. Due to the severity of Broadway’s condition, the veterinarian recommended medical euthanasia to prevent further suffering. Cinnamon was diagnosed with a heart murmur, heaves, rain rot, and a body condition score of two. With a proper medication and feeding regimen, Cinnamon is expected to make a full recovery.”

The sheriff’s office said that COX “continually insisted that the horses received adequate feedings despite the fact that both of the horses were visibly malnourished.”


The investigation determined that COX and HANNERS failed to provide adequate food, water, and medical care for Broadway and Cinnamon.


COX was arrested on September 1, 2022, and booked into the Marion County Jail on two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty. She was released the following day after posting a $2,000 bond.


HANNERS turned himself in on September 6, 2022, and he was also charged with two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty. He was released the following day after he was able to post a $2,000 bond.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



The Marion County Sheriff’s Office kindly provided Voice For Us with a picture of Broadway and a picture of Cinnamon.



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ELAINE BUTE arrested after ten horses found in neglectful conditions were removed from her property

- New York, USA -


Ten horses are now safe and in the care of the nonprofit “Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester”, after they were removed from a property in Orleans County.


WBTA reports that on July 26, 2022, Lollypop Farm Humane Law Enforcement investigators responded to a request from Orleans County Animal Control and on the property, they found “a thin Palomino with overgrown hooves standing on at least 2 feet of packed manure.”


After obtaining a search warrant, investigators returned to the property and discovered ten horses in a severe state of neglect.

“The horses were thin, with overgrown hooves, and standing in tight stalls filled with manure”, said Lollypop Farm in a Facebook post.


According to investigators, there was insufficient water in the areas used to house the horses.


On August 16, 2022, authorities arrested the horses’ guardian, 68-years-old ELAINE BUTE, of Carlton, and charged her with ten counts of animal cruelty. BUTE is due to appear in Carlton Town Court on September 12, 2022.


Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester advised that “Due to the ongoing investigation, these horses are not available for adoption.”


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.




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CYNTHIA JEAN HAMILTON, arrested for aggravated animal cruelty, is accused of starving horses

Updated: Jul 12, 2022

- Montana, USA -



~ Update: July 12, 2022


Flathead County District Court Judge Robert B. Allison dismissed the case of 69-years-old CYNTHIA JEAN HAMILTON (pictured).


HAMILTON had been arrested in January 2022, and charged with aggravated animal cruelty following an investigation started in September 2021, into horse abuse and neglect.


On June 30, 2022, HAMILTON signed a bill of sale “relinquishing her ownership in the horses to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office”, resulting in prosecutors to file a motion to dismiss the case on July 1, 2022.


On the same day, Judge Allison dismissed the case, “vacating a trial that was originally scheduled to begin July 11”, reports Flathead Beacon.





~ Update: February 6, 2022


On Thursday, February 3, CYNTHIA JEAN HAMILTON (pictured below) appeared in Flathead County District Court in Kalispell before Judge Robert B. Allison for her arraignment hearing and pleaded not guilty to one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty.


HAMILTON, of Norco, California, is accused of starving seventeen (17) innocent horses.


HAMILTON is expected to go to trial in July 2022.

If convicted, HAMILTON could face a maximum sentence of only two years in the Department of Corrections and/or a fine of $2,500.


HAMILTON is represented by public defender Liam Gallagher.

She remains out of custody.


As reported by Flathead Beacon, “The horses will remain in the county’s care until court proceedings are finished and authorities are requesting donations of grass hay or light alfalfa grass hay. Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino estimates that each horse consumes half a ton to one ton of hay per month, the costs of which the county must cover.”




~ Original story:


Following an investigation which started in September 2021, into horse abuse and neglect at a residence in the Columbia Falls area, 68-years-old CYNTHIA JEAN HAMILTON (pictured below) has been arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty.


On September 19, Flathead County Animal Control was sent to a home in the Columbia Falls area for an animal cruelty complaint involving several horses.


Responding Animal Wardens saw there were five horses they believed were not being fed adequately.


As a result of the investigation, it came to light that the horses’ guardian, HAMILTON, had more horses being pastured in different addresses around Flathead County.


Flathead County Sheriff’s Office detectives obtained a search warrant for the pastures and seized a total of seventeen horses all in various stages of starvation and other health issues.

It was also reported that one horse may have died prior to the initial report.


Flathead Beacon reports that according to charging documents, the veterinarian who conducted physical exams on ten horses, concluding they all had below average body scores and all had parasites, which required “a strong course of treatment.”


Records state HAMILTON told the authorities that she could not afford to feed the animals.


The horses are in the care of Flathead County Animal Control and will remain until court proceedings are finished.


Authorities are requesting donations of grass hay or light alfalfa grass hay.

If you are in the position to donate, please email county officials and let them know. Thank you!


On December 30, HAMILTON, of Norco, California, was booked into the Flathead County Detention Center.

Online records show that HAMILTON is no longer in custody and has a court date scheduled for February 3, 2022.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.




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