On January 5, 2022, Parsons officers were called to the Parsons Livestock Market for a possible animal abuse case involving a horse.

When Sergeant Waylon Kepley and Community Service Officer Ricky Thompson arrived, they met with witnesses who gave a description of the events. Officers were told that the suspect was driving a truck with a horse in a trailer. The horse was not tethered to the trailer, and the driver drove off at high speed and then slammed on the brakes causing the horse to be thrown forward in the trailer. The driver would then put the vehicle in reverse and do the same thing causing the animal to be thrown to the rear of the trailer, according to witnesses.

Witnesses were able to give a clear description of the vehicle and trailer. The vehicle was located at the livestock market and contact was made with the driver. The investigation revealed that there were skid marks that supported the witness's account of what happened. The horse that was in the trailer also had cuts on its head that also sustained the witness statements.

Ty Owen Swiler, 27 of Erie, was arrested on suspicion of Cruelty to Animals. Ty was taken into custody without incident and charges have been requested to be filed by the Labette County Attorney's Office.

Ty was not the owner of the horse, but was hired to help train the animal. The rightful owner of the horse was contacted, and they picked it up after the arrest.

Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said, "we as an agency are getting tired of people abusing their animals. It does not matter if you are cruel to dog or cats or even your horses. If you are doing it in our city, we will hold you accountable for your actions. Organizations such as PETA exist because of these types of crimes. As we are currently working on animal abuse cases for the murders of Ranger and other dogs, it is disheartening to make yet another arrest for animal cruelty. I hope that we can do better for our pets and our community. I do want to thank the witnesses who called and reported this crime. See It, Hear It, Report It, works wonders to the community who embraces it, and Parsons is embracing it very well."

This continues to be an on-going investigation and citizens are encouraged to "See It, Hear It, Report It." If anyone has any further information on this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the Parsons Police Department at 421-7060 or call the Tip Line at 421-7057 or email at tips@parsonspd.com.

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