Date: September 14, 2026
Prepared by: Jake Arthur, Public Information Officer
Email: PIO@flaglersheriff.com
Release #: 2026 – 194
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Bunnell man after an investigation determined he starved a horse that had been left in his care.
On Tuesday, July 21, a deputy with the FCSO Agricultural/Ranch Unit responded to a property on County Road 13 for a welfare check on a horse that appeared to be emaciated. The deputy found Laredo, a 27-year-old gelding, on the property. The horse was severely emaciated with a sunken face; hips, spine, and ribs showing through his hide; and no definition on the withers down his front shoulder muscles. On the Henneke Body Condition Scoring System the deputy scored Laredo at a one, the lowest score on the scale and the mark of a horse that is emaciated.
Jim Tyrone Lee, 41, of Bunnell, had been left in charge of Laredo’s care by his owner and told the deputy he had been given instructions on how to care for the horse. Deputies determined that Lee was aware of Laredo’s severe malnutrition. Laredo’s owner surrendered him to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office and deputies transported him to a local boarding stable, where he received proper nutrition and water.
The next morning, at FCSO’s request, a veterinarian examined Laredo and scored his body condition at a one to two. Laredo had not been seen by a veterinarian since 2010. The veterinarian found no sign of infectious disease and determined his emaciation was caused by inadequate nutrition, a lack of access to feed, or both.
Bloodwork later showed Laredo also has an untreated hormonal disease common in older horses that breaks down muscle and worsens without treatment. The veterinarian determined his starved condition was caused by a lack of adequate nutrition and made worse by the untreated disease, which routine veterinary attention would have caught when his weight loss first showed.
On August 7, Laredo was transported to SKC Hands Up Horse Rescue with proper feed and care, he has already gained about 150 pounds.
Loredo emaciated on July 21, 2026 (left). Loredo on September 14, 2026, after gaining 150lbs. (right) (FCSO)
“When you starve a horse down to skin and bones you end up with a stall of your own at the Green Roof Inn,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “This guy watched a 27-year-old horse waste away for months and did nothing about it. If you can’t, or won’t feed your animals, pick up the phone. Plenty of people in this county will help you. Starving them until they die is not an option, and we will arrest you before that happens. I commend our Agriculture/Ranch Unit and the tipster for saving Loredo’s life.”
Jim Lee (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mug shot)
On Saturday, September 12, deputies arrested Lee for aggravated animal cruelty. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he was released on a 5,000 bond.
Anyone who suspects an animal is being neglected or abused can contact the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911.
