Attorneys/Judges
| Prosecutor(s): | Ade Brehe-Kruger |
13 horses seized, 12 more found dead
Rosebud, MO (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 26, 2010
County: Gasconade
Disposition: Not Charged
Person of Interest: Dennis Hiatt
A Gasconade County man is charged with 14 animal abuse charges in the death and neglect of horses at a Rosebud property.
Dennis Hiatt, 48, is charged in Gasconade County Associate Circuit Court with 14 counts for misdemeanor animal abuse.
The Humane Society of Missouri urged prosecutors to file felony animal cruelty charges in the case, but Gasconade County Prosecutor Ade Brehe-Kruger said under state statute only misdemeanor charges apply.
The Humane Society of Missouri rescued 13 horses and recovered the bodies of 12 dead horses, including one in a pond, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, from a property in Rosebud.
The animals are being treated at the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch south of Union.
The Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force worked in conjunction with the Gasconade County Sheriff's Department during the rescue. A warrant was served at the property after the sheriff's department received an anonymous tip alleging cruelty to the animals.
There will be a hearing Feb. 10, 2010, in Gasconade County Circuit Court to determine if the horses will remain in the custody of the Humane Society or be returned to their owner. No charges have been filed.
Longmeadow Rescue Ranch Director Amanda Hirschberg said the horses weighed "a few hundred pounds" less than they should and lack of shelter and poor nutrition damaged their skin.
Hirschberg added that "long-term starvation" and lack of water also led to health complications. References |
