Man Fined, Jailed on Animal Cruelty Charges

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was fined and jailed Wednesday on animal cruelty charges in connection with the seizure last week of an emaciated horse found wandering near Eastman Road. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Brian Fite appeared before Judge Arthur Fort during a hearing to decide whether Fite’s paint stallion would remain at Safe Haven Equine Rescue or be returned to its owner.

Fite told the judge he spends most of his time working out of town and had paid someone to feed and water the horse. He also told the judge his horse was a prize-winning stallion that had won several ribbons at trail rides and rodeos. Fite was ordered to pay $531 in restitution to Safe Haven Equine Rescue for feeding and sheltering the horse since it was first removed from Fite’s care June 3. The horse will remain in quarantine at Safe Haven for the next 14 days and should fully recover in about six months, according to Safe Haven Executive Director Richard Fincher.