Puppy Mill owner found guilty of animal abuse

A Carroll ounty man—accused of running a puppy mill—loses his appeal on animal cruelty and neglect charges.
In November of last year, animal advocates took hundreds of dogs from Junior Horton’s Hillsville business.
Horton admitted to running a kennel without a U-S-D-A license.
He handed over more more than 700 dogs and was only allowed to keep 200.
In January he was charged with several counts of animal cruelty and neglect.
In May,,he was found guilty in district court.
Horton appealed that decision—hoping a circuit court judge would rule differently.
That judge did not—it upheld the lower courts ruling.
“Junior Horton” had hoped all charges against him would be dropped.
But—after nearly 7 hours of testimony, the judge found the puppy mill owner guilty of 25 counts of neglect and 14 counts of cruelty.
He must also pay more than 35-hundred dollars in fines and restitution.
“Junior” Horton, of Horton’s Pups,says, “Justice wasn’t served, I got a raw deal.“
Animal advocates say they also don’t think justice was served.
They say Horton deserved jail time.
Kathy Poole, of the Floyd County Humane Society, says, “It was so obvious he was guilty the suspended sentence annoys me because we didn’t have a dog go through our line that didn’t have at least dental problems there were many health issues that really upset me.“
The judge is allowing Horton to continue operating “Horton’s pups” but with only 250 dogs. But a new law that takes affect in January prohibits anyone who’s been convicted of animal abuse from running businesses like Horton’s. So, Horton really only has 5 more months to legally operate his business.>
Despite the new law— Horton and his family tell wsls 10 On Your Side that they will continue to breed and sell dogs.
Mollie asks: “Do you plan to raise dogs in the future?“
Horton replies, “Probably, hope so, we’ll never quit, never.“
Upon hearing that—animal rights advocates were outraged.
Poole says, “Somebody should put a stop to that man!.“
Horton has the right to appeal his case a second time—an action he’s considering.
Tony Horton, Horton’s brother, says, “If you want to own a business i suggest you don’t open it in Hillsville cause if they see you making money they’ll come in and take it away from you.“
Mollie asks, “Do you think that’s why they shut you down and not animal cruelty?“
He replies, “This is communism, this is communism is what it is.“
Horton’s father says, “We did all they work raising them and they come and take em.“
Horton has 30 days to make a decision on whether he’ll appeal.