Case Snapshot

Case ID: 13485

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: dog (non pit-bull), horse, cow

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Horse neglect, two found dead
Norman, OK (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Mar 21, 2008
County: Cleveland

Disposition: Not Charged
Case Images: 3 files available

Abuser names unreleased

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Veterinarian Sharon Marshall shook her head Tuesday [March 25, 2008] after examining 21 horses on a rural Norman property where Norman police found two horse carcasses.

She described several of the horses she saw as "significantly undernourished.� Norman police hauled away 28 horses for examination, along with the unidentified property owner's four dogs.

"Unfortunately, this is getting to be all too common,� Marshall said, citing the skyrocketing cost of feed and a recent federal ban of slaughtering horses for meat.

Police animal welfare officers spent the afternoon investigating the case at E Bethel Road and 144th Avenue NE.

Norman police Maj. Jim Maisano said officers did not arrest the man who lives there because the investigation is not complete, though charges of animal neglect or cruelty could be brought later.

Maisano said police received the first call Friday of possible neglect in the area, but they were unsure of which property until Tuesday.

Maisano said police found two horse carcasses and a cow carcass. Marshall said they had been dead for several weeks.

Surviving horses were taken to a private 17-acre ranch for further examination. Marshall said a few horses had injuries to go with malnutrition.

Maisano said it appeared the owner "was providing some care to the horses,� but not nearly what they needed.

Marshall said it could take four to five months for the horses to get healthy.

One to three horses in the worst condition may have to be euthanized, she said, admitting "economics is a factor.�

Feed for the horses will run into thousands of dollars.

"Hay prices have doubled in the last year,� she said.

The Lexington veterinarian said drought two years ago and last year's excess rain � along with the growing demand of biofuels � have created shortages of hay and grain.

For some, it can make the cost of feeding their horses prohibitive. On the other end, a 2006 federal law that prohibits the slaughtering of horses makes it difficult to get rid of older horses.

Marshall believes those circumstances will make cases like she saw Tuesday more common. She said she understands the causes, but was still saddened by the condition of the horses.

"My own preference is if you can't feed them, don't keep them,� she said.

Case Updates

References

	NewsOK - March 26, 2008
	KOCO - March 27, 2008

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