Horse neglect, 5 seized
Bellingham, WA (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008
County: Whatcom
Disposition: Not Charged
Persons of Interest:
» Lori Davis
» Ronny Davis
Five horses that were donated to a children's summer camp have been removed after being found to be malnourished, Humane Society officials and Whatcom County sheriff's deputies say.
A report from a concerned citizens led to the removal of the horses in late January from Frontier Ranch, operated by Lori and Ronny Davis, pastor of Living Water Fellowship Church in Bellingham, said Laura Clark, a Human Society spokeswoman. The group holds a county contract for animal control services.
A state Agriculture Department veterinarian found the hay at the ranch lacked nutritional value, and no charges will be filed against the owners, sheriff's Sgt. Kevin R. McFadden told The Bellingham Herald this week.
The Davises, who leased the nonprofit ranch in 2005 as a year-round retirement home for older horses and a summer camp for underprivileged children, will be given information on proper care for animals and the Human Society will continue to monitor the condition of horses that remain on the ranch, Clark said.
Davis said he would work with the Humane Society but was emotional about losing the horses and hoped to get them back.
"We don't give up on people, and we don't give up on horses," Davis said.
"The one thing I have is my integrity," he said, "and it has been assaulted."
Kelley said the Davises tried to do the right thing but lacked the experience and education for managing so many animals.
At least two horses that were given to the ranch died in recent months.
Vikki O'Flaherty of Lynden said her husband reclaimed Toast, donated to the ranch in late 2005, on Jan. 25 after they learned of the investigation, but the mare went into seizures for 2 1/2 hours and was put down the next evening.
The Davises said the death was the result of trauma from being removed from the herd and transported in a trailer in cold weather, but Nooksack Animal Hospital veterinarian Karen Kelley, who euthanized Toast, said lack of nutrition likely caused the horse's organs to fail.
Rio, donated by Rachel Wydur in February 2006, died of a heart attack at the ranch on New Year's Eve.
"They could have asked for help anytime," Wydur said. "Anyone who donated their horse would have been more than happy to help." References« WA State Animal Cruelty Map
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