Man accused of causing mule to suffer ‘severe rope burns’ in Fentress County

FENTRESS COUNTY, Tenn. ( WATE ) — A man is facing an animal abuse charge in Fentress County after he was accused of tying up a mule and causing it to endure severe rope burns, according to court documents.

General Sessions records state that James Paul Johnston was arrested by the Fentress County Sheriff’s Office on April 24. He was charged with animal cruelty and was held on a $10,000 bond.

An affidavit claims that on April 15, Johnston, who had a gray roan mare mule in his care, caused the animal to suffer “severe rope burns on the girth area and all four legs.” According to the document, a rope was tied with a metal ring circle around the mule’s girth area, through its halter and then to a tree.

Johnston is accused of tying the animal and then spraying it with a water hose. When the mule pulled on the rope, it reportedly caused the rope burn to her girth area and “large lacerations” to part of both of of her front legs. The affidavit continues to say that the wounds were so deep that they extended into the mare’s muscle and left skin hanging loose.

The document also states that Johnston failed to provide immediate medical care to the mule while it was in his care. The document does not state what happened to the mule following the incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.