Man Facing Jail Time for Hanging Donkey

GILMER — According to the Upshur County District Attorney’s office, Anthony George Bassler, Ore City, pleaded guilty to cruelty to livestock and now faces 18 months in prison. According to KETK, he has also waived his right to an appeal. In addition, he is required to pay $610 to the Gilmer Animal Clinic.

Bassler was indicted on a charge of cruelty to livestock animals after being accused in June of hanging a donkey by the neck from a tree. The 35-year-old remains in the Upshur County Jail on $50,000 bond. He was arrested July 3 after he was seen abusing a donkey in June, two days before hanging it in the woods behind his house on Janis Street in the Camp Joy community. Upshur County Sheriff�s Lt. Freddie Fitzgerald testified in July that witnesses saw the donkey try to kick Bassler as he tied a rope around it.