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Animals surrendered to Polk County Animal Control 

 

POLK COUNTY—On Thursday, April 22, a Polk County couple was charged with four counts of animal cruelty and the possession of a bobcat.

Jabin and Madisonrose Sprinkle, owners of Sprinkle’s Mobile Petting Zoo, are facing charges after Polk County Animal Control searched their family farm. 

According to Animal Control Officer Patti Lovelace, four mini-horses were discovered in deplorable conditions and surrendered to authorities.

The farm, which was the home of at least 80 animals, is located in the Grassy Knob area in Sunny View. 

PCAC executed a warrant after receiving an anonymous complaint regarding the bobcat, which is illegal to own in North Carolina without proper documentation, and the condition of other animals. 

Upon arrival, Lovelace immediately noticed the four mini-horses were bony and malnourished. She also stated that the enclosures that housed the animals had no grass and were filled with an unsanitary amount of manure. Lovelace states that the water tanks were barely filled, and the water had turned green.

“My big issue with this is that they were taking diseased animals that aren’t vaccinated or cared for out to the public as part of a petting zoo,” said Lovelace. “People just shouldn’t have animals if they can’t care for them properly.”

Madisonrose Sprinkle signed away ownership of the mini-horses, along with nine dogs and six rabbits, to Polk County Animal Control, where the animals received veterinary care. The mini-horses are now recovering at a local rescue.

The bobcat was seized after the game warden confirmed that the Sprinkles did not acquire the proper paperwork to own it.

The Sprinkles next court date is on Wednesday, May 21.