RIVERVIEW, Fla. – It was near 10 p.m. on October 25, 2020, when 29-year-old Joshua Clarke Philpott suddenly struck a horse standing in the middle of Raulerson Road in Riverview with his GMC Sierra.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Traffic Crash Report, the horse died at the scene from the impact of an estimated speed of 25 miles per hour. Neighbors who owned horses arrived, claiming the animal was not theirs, but that it possibly belonged to the Cat House boarding facility just up the road on Boyette.
The deputy stated in his report that it was not established that night who actually owned or had responsibility for the horse.
Damages to Philpott’s vehicle were estimated at $6,500, disabling the vehicle according to the crash report. Philpott, however, was reported as not injured and requiring no medical transportation. He allegedly was wearing his seat belt.
On March 5, Philpott sued Country Cat House II, a for-profit pet boarding service, located at 15501 Boyette Road. A Country Cat House is located on the property as a “five-paw feline resort” according to the company’s website and has been in business for over 20 years.
The business may also board or care for other animals including horses, but the company’s owners refused to speak to The Free Press, and their defendant attorney is unknown. As a result, it is not known if they in fact owned or boarded the horse.
According to the lawsuit, Defendants and Cat House owners Eileen and Scott Dalton “negligently allowed a horse to run at large or stray” upon Raulerson Road. No other lawsuits against them or their company were found in the court records for the past 10 years.
Philpott’s lawsuit indicates he suffered physical injuries and property damages and demands recompense. A 10-year court records search indicates Philpott has been cited with nine traffic-related violations and a third-degree felony theft since 2011.
Philpott’s attorneys are Winters and Yonker of Tampa. Two inquiries to clarify matters, in this case, were made but there was no response.
Philpott could not be reached for comment.
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Cat Country House did have horses when I boarded my cat there. However, the other side of the story was the driver going too fast, even at 25 mph to stop and not hit the horse? This wasn’t a good thing for either side.
Frivolous lawsuit and insurance fraud, plain and simple.