Case Details

Horse neglect - 11 seized
Milford, OH (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Feb 1, 2007
County: Defiance
Local Map: available
Disposition: Not Charged

Person of Interest: Dave Eicher

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 10663
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: horse
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The condition of 11 horses in western Defiance County has prompted an investigation and their confiscation.

The county sheriff's office removed the horses from their owner, Dave Eicher, 06974 Seevers Road, on Feb 1 evening. The residence is located in Milford Township in northwest Defiance County.

According to the sheriff's office, the animals were suffering from malnutrition, "a neglectful environment" and "general lack of care."

"You could see their ribs, that's how you could tell," said Deputy Mark Denning. "They were basically neglected."

One horse was tied to a two-by-six so it wouldn't run away, according to Westrick. The other horses were held in fenced areas, he said.

The animals were taken to Voice for Horses Rescue in Lucas County's Spencer Township, -- a 20-acre facility -- with the owner's agreement, Sheriff David Westrick said. Denning said they would be examined be a veterinarian.

"The vet will be out this afternoon," Diana Murphy, president and founder of Voice for Horses Rescue, said this morning. "Several of them have a skeletal appearance. The majority haven't had their feet trimmed. Every six to eight weeks they should have their feet trimmed. These have gone several months."

Murphy said it appeared that all of the animals will survive, "but I can't guarantee it. Some of them are pretty thin."

The sheriff's office said a representative from Voices for Horses and a deputy met with Eicher on Thursday.

No charges have been filed, although this remains a possibility. One likely charge could be cruelty to animals, according to the sheriff's office.

"We're looking into charges," said Westrick. "This just happened ... the first and most important thing is to get the horses to safety. We're going to continue to look into this."

Eicher is a horse dealer who buys animals at auction and resells them, authorities said.

Westrick said the investigation began after his office received complaints about the horses' conditions.

If Eicher is charged, the horses will be held until a judge orders their disposition, said Murphy, who said her group works closely with sheriff's offices. No charges have been filed yet.

I understand that the horse owner was cooperative, so that will be taken into consideration,� the sheriff said of the case which is under investigation.

Case Updates

Two charges of cruelty to animals have been filed against the owner of eight horses and three ponies removed from Defiance County and taken to a rescue in western Lucas County this winter.

Dave Eicher is to appear Friday in Defiance Municipal Court on the charges filed by the Defiance County sheriff. They are minor misdemeanors. Each carries a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

All the animals remain at Voice for Horses Rescue in Spencer Township, where operator Diana Murphy said they have gained weight since they arrived Feb. 1. At that time, five appeared to be of ideal weight, three were thin, and three others were quite thin, appearing to have no fat.
Source: Toledo Blade - March 7, 2007
Update posted on Mar 12, 2007 - 3:55AM 

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References

Crescent News - Feb 2, 2007

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