RFP Staff
♦ Teresa Diann Burkett, 52, of 708 Deal Street in Landis, was arrested Sunday by a deputy from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and charged with “cruelty to animals”.
An officer from Rowan County Animal Control visited Burkett’s property on a complaint and allegedly found 5 horses in undernourished condition. Taken into Animal Control’s custody, the horses were to be evaluated by a veterinarian. The animals appear scrawny and their ribcages protrude. The warrants for Burkett’s arrest alleged Burkett intentionally deprived the animals of necessary sustenance.
Update: One of the horses was in such poor shape from an alleged lack of water and food that it will be euthanized.
Burkett was charged with 5 counts of cruelty to animals (misdemeanor).
Under a $5,000 secured bond, Burkett was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center. Her first court hearing will be October 12th.
In December of 2013 Burkett was arrested and charged with simple assault (misdemeanor) and assault by pointing a gun (misdemeanor).
