Lithia Man Arrested For Animal Cruelty After Horse Struck By Car

LITHIA, FL - A Lithia man was arrested after the his horse got loose from his property over the weekend and was struck by a passing vehicle, deputies said. The horse died from its injuries.

James Michael Kickliter’s horse had been loose in the roadway on Friday and deputies said they had told him and his girlfriend that they needed to repair the fence and gate to keep the horse safe from passing traffic. After the accident occurred Saturday morning, they told deputies they didn’t have time to make repairs, according to the sheriff's office.

Kickliter, 53, was charged with aggravated animal cruelty. The crash occurred on County Road 672, just west of CR-39, approximately 5:30 a.m. Saturday. The vehicle was heavily damaged. The driver of the vehicle suffered minor injuries, deputies said.

The sheriff’s Agricultural Crimes Unit has impounded a second horse on the property. Deputies said the impounded horse will be evaluated by a licensed equine veterinarian. The dead horse has since been removed from the roadway.

His girlfriend, Hazel Soape, 49, had her charge of aggravated animal cruelty direct filed to the State Attorney’s Office, the sheriff’s office said.

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