Man Arrested After Discovery Of Neglected Horses

December 20, 2018
Isaac Estes-Jones
As reported last week, a Lampe man was arrested and charged with animal abuse and possession of a controlled substance following an investigation into abandoned horses discovered in southern Stone County on December 8.
Ray Dean Clark, 56, of Lampe, was booked into the Stone County Jail at 10:19 a.m. on Tuesday, December 11. This followed investigations by the Stone County Sheriff’s Office over that previous weekend and two search warrants served.
According to affidavits of probable cause, used in filing charges against Clark, Deputy Holmes was dispatched to an address on Persimmon Lane in Lampe for a report of animal neglect.
On the scene, two horses tied to approximately 8 foot leads were found. According to the probable cause statement and press releases issued by the Sheriff’s Office, these animals appeared to have been left in the area for an extended length of time without access to water or food.
Both animals are said to have eaten all of the grass they could reach on their leads. One of the animals was dead when officers arrived. The second horse apparently died a short time later. The Missouri State Human Society was contacted. The animals are undergoing necropsy to determine cause of death, the first press release issued by the Sheriff.
The probable cause statement submitted by Deputy Holmes states that neighbors in the area told officers that the horses belonged to Clark. They alleged that “this was a common practice for [Clark] and stated he would tie up and leave the horses... for long periods of time.”
With information gathered over the weekend, the Stone County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Clark’s home on Point 18 Lane in Lampe.
During the execution of that warrant, an updated press release states that the Missouri Humane Society Animal Rescue Team, in cooperation with the Sheriff’s Office, seized several dogs, cats and chickens.
While executing that search warrant, officers allegedly noticed evidence of methamphetamine use.
Another search warrant was obtained and executed. Officers allegedly found a small bag with methamphetamine inside a container in the residence.
Paraphernalia allegedly used in creating methamphetamine was also allegedly found during the search.
Ray Clark was booked into the Stone County Jail where he is currently being held in lieu of $50,000 cash or surety bond.
Clark is charged with two counts of felony animal abuse and one count of possession of a controlled substance.
Online court records indicate that Clark was convicted of misdemeanor animal abuse in 2010 and served one year of probation.
Court records also indicate that Clark has an ongoing case regarding possession of controlled substances from 2017.
Isaac Estes-Jones
As reported last week, a Lampe man was arrested and charged with animal abuse and possession of a controlled substance following an investigation into abandoned horses discovered in southern Stone County on December 8.
Ray Dean Clark, 56, of Lampe, was booked into the Stone County Jail at 10:19 a.m. on Tuesday, December 11. This followed investigations by the Stone County Sheriff’s Office over that previous weekend and two search warrants served.
According to affidavits of probable cause, used in filing charges against Clark, Deputy Holmes was dispatched to an address on Persimmon Lane in Lampe for a report of animal neglect.
On the scene, two horses tied to approximately 8 foot leads were found. According to the probable cause statement and press releases issued by the Sheriff’s Office, these animals appeared to have been left in the area for an extended length of time without access to water or food.
Both animals are said to have eaten all of the grass they could reach on their leads. One of the animals was dead when officers arrived. The second horse apparently died a short time later. The Missouri State Human Society was contacted. The animals are undergoing necropsy to determine cause of death, the first press release issued by the Sheriff.
The probable cause statement submitted by Deputy Holmes states that neighbors in the area told officers that the horses belonged to Clark. They alleged that “this was a common practice for [Clark] and stated he would tie up and leave the horses... for long periods of time.”
With information gathered over the weekend, the Stone County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Clark’s home on Point 18 Lane in Lampe.
During the execution of that warrant, an updated press release states that the Missouri Humane Society Animal Rescue Team, in cooperation with the Sheriff’s Office, seized several dogs, cats and chickens.
While executing that search warrant, officers allegedly noticed evidence of methamphetamine use.
Another search warrant was obtained and executed. Officers allegedly found a small bag with methamphetamine inside a container in the residence.
Paraphernalia allegedly used in creating methamphetamine was also allegedly found during the search.
Ray Clark was booked into the Stone County Jail where he is currently being held in lieu of $50,000 cash or surety bond.
Clark is charged with two counts of felony animal abuse and one count of possession of a controlled substance.
Online court records indicate that Clark was convicted of misdemeanor animal abuse in 2010 and served one year of probation.
Court records also indicate that Clark has an ongoing case regarding possession of controlled substances from 2017.