Horse and donkey neglect, one found dead
Westmoreland, TN (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Dec 21, 2006
County: Sumner
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Harry Whitlow
Harry Whitlow, of Westmoreland, was charged last week by Sumner County Sheriff's deputies with three counts of animal cruelty when a state Department of Agriculture official determined a donkey reported lying in Whitlow's field died of malnutrition.
Other donkeys and horses, considered by the experts to be at risk, were seized from the Whitlow farm by Sheriff's deputies, assisted by a team from the Volunteer Equine Advocates group, Thursday, December 21, according to Brandon Puttbrese of The News Examiner.
The VEA group used cattle grating to make a temporary pen for five Belgian Draft Horses and six donkeys from Whitlow's farm.
The neglect the animals at Whitlow's Westmoreland farm endured was evidenced by their emaciated bodies with protruding ribs and hip bones as well as cracked and abscessed hooves, Puttbrese reports.
Whitlow was not accused of failing to feed the animals; but he was not feeding them enough and the younger and smaller animals were not getting an adequate share of food, Jamie Clifton, Director of the Volunteer Equine Advocates group, alleged in the News Examiner report, explaining that horses depend on their digestive systems for warmth.
The Volunteer Equine Advocates group helps law enforcement with live stock seizures and they provide shelter and care for the victimized animals.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the VEA, providing temporary shelter, or adopting a horse seized during an animal cruelty investigation, can contact the Volunteer Equine Advocates at (615) 832-3005 or at their website, www.vea-tnhorserescue.org. References« TN State Animal Cruelty Map
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