By Matt Smith/Staff Writer
A Cleburne man who tried to feed starving horses Tuesday was beat up for his good deed, according to police reports.
The man accused of assault is Chad Michael Greenslade, 29, of Arlington, who is related to Michael Greenslade, 49, of Cleburne. Michael Greenslade was arrested Tuesday morning on charges of animal cruelty after police found two dead and three emaciated horses in a three-acre field at his home in the 1700 block of Texas 171.
Upon hearing about Michael Greenslade’s arrest, which occurred about 8 a.m., the man Chad Greenslade is accused of assaulting contacted the Cleburne Police Department to ask if he could deliver a bail of hay to the remaining horses.
He drove the hay to the horses midday with a forklift and returned to his place of business, according to police reports.
Shortly after, police responded to a call of two men fighting in the area. Chad Greenslade left the scene in a silver Honda before officers arrived.
Cleburne officer Robert Duddington spotted the car traveling north on Texas 171 while en route. They passed, and Duddington turned around to chase him. He pulled over near Texas 171 and South Main Street.
Chad Greenslade was taken into custody on a charge of evading arrest and detention. Duddington and other officers at the scene noted blood spattered on his shirt.
The other man involved in the incident said Chad Greenslade pulled in front of him as he entered the parking lot of his work upon returning from dropping hay for the horses. Chad Greenslade approached him and began yelling about trespassing on his property, according to the man’s statement to police.
The man said he felt threatened because Chad Greenslade stood yelling within 18 inches of his face. The man told police he asked him to step away and pushed him away after Chad Greenslade raised his fist to punch him. He began screaming threats to do bodily harm, the man said.
As Chad Greenslade punched him, the man attempted to subdue him on the ground, the man said. Chad ceased attacking the man once workers from his building approached the fight scene, according to reports. Two witnesses confirmed the man’s version of events to the police. Officers noted lacerations to both sides of the man’s face and bruises to his hip and arm.
Chad Greenslade was charged with evading detention and Class A assault with no weapon and minor injury. Police impounded the Honda because Chad Greenslade is accused of using it in the commission of a felony. He remains at the Johnson County Corrections Center in Cleburne on bails of $1,000 and $5,000.
Michael Greenslade was released on a $2,000 bond for the animal-cruelty charge.
The charge is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000 and one year in jail.
The Humane Society of North Texas took the living horses. Officials said they don’t know whether they can be saved.
Matt Smith can be reached at 817-645-2441, ext. 2339, or msmith@trcle.com.
