PETA Calls for Vigorous Prosecution of Alleged Horse-Neglecting ‘Urban Cowboy’

Group Demands Jail Time, Ban on Owning Animals for Brandon Fulton, if Convicted

For Immediate Release:
March 3, 2014

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

This morning, PETA sent an urgent letter to Atlanta City Solicitor Raines F. Carter calling on his office to vigorously prosecute Brandon Fulton, a self-proclaimed “urban cowboy” who faces charges stemming from officials’ reported discovery of neglected horses in his care, among other charges. Fulton is scheduled to face these charges in court this Wednesday, March 5.

Public records indicate that Fulton has a history of repeated animal-related violations dating back to 2011, and PETA is asking that, if convicted, he be sentenced to a period of incarceration and prohibited from owning or harboring animals and that any remaining animals be removed from his custody.

“Time and time again, officials have issued citations and warnings to Brandon Fulton for failing to provide horses with food, water, humane care, and appropriate housing,” says PETA Director Martin Mersereau. “PETA is calling on the authorities to treat these crimes with the seriousness they deserve. Like most animal abusers, Fulton appears to be a repeat offender—and only an outright ban on owning animals will stop him from neglecting them again.”

For more information, please visit PETA.org. To view PETA’s anti-violence public service announcement featuring Inglourious Basterds star and Hostel director Eli Roth, please visit http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/Prefs.asp?video=eli_roth_violence_link_psa_peta.

PETA’s letter to Atlanta City Solicitor Raines F. Carter follows.

March 3, 2014

The Honorable Raines F. Carter
City of Atlanta Solicitor
150 Garnett St. S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303

Dear Mr. Carter:

We hope this letter finds you well.

PETA is an international animal-protection organization with more than 3 million members and supporters, thousands residing in Georgia. We are writing today about a case that your office is handling involving Henry County resident Brandon Fulton, who faces cruelty charges stemming from officials’ reported October 2013 discovery that he was depriving his horses—including one who was allegedly found to be underweight—of adequate food, water, and/or shelter at an Atlanta property, in addition to violating multiple zoning laws. According to public record, Fulton’s rich history of animal-related violations in Henry and Fulton Counties dating back to 2011 includes failing to provide his horses with food, water, and/or humane care on multiple occasions. Fulton is scheduled to appear in court on March 5.

Repeat crimes are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers, and for those who fail to meet the most basic duties of ownership, as is alleged of Fulton, being “in the system” cannot instill any legitimate sense of compassion or responsibility. We respectfully ask that if convicted, as part of sentencing and in addition to incarceration, Fulton be prohibited from owning or harboring animals for as long as possible (a common provision in such cases) and that he be relieved of any animals remaining in his custody.

Thank you for your time and consideration and for the difficult work that you do.

Sincerely,

Kent Stein
Cruelty Caseworker
Cruelty Investigations Department