by GARY REAVES / WFAA-TV

Posted on January 12, 2010 at 2:16 PM

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 FANNIN COUNTY, Texas, USA - The owner of a dozen miniature donkeys and horses found stranded and starving in arctic temperatures is now behind bars. 

Gilbert Lee Epperson is accused of allowing 24 miniature donkeys and four horses starve to death. 

“They’re absolutely adorable and they’re very friendly and people just want to have them as pets,” said Deanne Murillo, with Habitat for Horses. 

Epperson has been charged with 25 counts of animal cruelty and was booked into the Fannin County Jail. 

“How do you drive by with your fast-food in your car seat next to you when you’re going home and look and know they’re not eating anything?” Murillo said. 

Sheriff Kenneth Moore said the owner had plenty of excuses as to why the animals were in such bad condition. 

“He said he is sorry; he didn’t have time to take care of them; he was out of a job,” Moore said. “Then he left and went out of state and was working. Those are just wasteful excuses in my opinion.” 

The rescue team from Habitat for Horses was forced to put another horse down and are hoping the 14 surviving animals pull through. 

Animal lovers across North Texas have pitched in to help the survivors. Dora Woodfin, a Paris Rancher, brought hay and volunteered to take a stallion back to her ranch. 

“Ooh, I am angry,” she said. “This is just unacceptable, unacceptable behavior.” 

Activists with Habitat for Horses will ask the court to allow the animals to be put up for adoption. They said they have already been swamped with requests from people wanting them. 

E-mail greaves@wfaa.com

(Pic. by www.ehow.com/how_2307481_feed-starving-horse.html  with thanks