Horse neglect Evansville, IN (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Mar 9, 2010 County: Vanderburgh
Disposition: Alleged Case Images: 4 files available
Alleged: Steven Lee Duncan, Sr.
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Horses were rescued on Evansville's east side as authorities investigate charges of animal neglect.
The owner of those horses, 54-year-old Steven Lee Duncan Senior of Evansville, was arrested and has bonded out of jail Tuesday night.
It all began Tuesday [March 9, 2010] afternoon in the 2400 block of south Green River Road.
Vanderburgh County Sheriff's deputies and animal control were called to the home Tuesday afternoon after receiving complaints of animal cruelty.
"Upon our arrival we noticed there were approximately 18 horses that were in very deplorable conditions," Deputy Jim Tucker with the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office said. "They were standing in at least two to three feet of their own feces."
A veterinarian was also called to the scene to evaluate the health of the horses found both inside the barn and outside.
Deputy Tucker, who owns horses himself, said the conditions those horses were forced to live in were terrible.
"Not being a veterinarian, just from my perspective, seemed to be with their hair is kind of the mange situation," Tucker said. "They don't look like they were underfed. They just don't look like they were taken care of."
A veterinarian on scene determined 13 of the horses' physical condition and/or their living quarters were poor enough to charge the owner.
The vet also determined two of those horses needed immediate medical attention, and one of those is considered critical.
Investigators made the decision to take custody of the horses, knowing it would be no easy task to find another home for 18 horses all at once.
That's when the Vanderburgh County Equestrian Club and the Warrick Wranglers stepped up to help out.
The horses were taken to the Vanderburgh County 4-H fairgrounds.
"It's one of those things where we all love our horses," Annette Schonabaum, who was helping the abused horses, said. "You can tell all the 4-H kids are here to help. It's one of those things that they do love and they'll jump in to help."
A small army of horse lovers assembled in just two hours time because in their community, they said word travels fast.
"A couple of people found out that there was a need for hay and water buckets, lead ropes and halters and just help handling them when they get here and word spreads to where we just come and do the job," Schonabaum said.
Duncan faces 13 animal cruelty charges.
Case UpdatesSteven Duncan Sr., showed up to court again Friday morning without an attorney which postponed the progress hearing.
Duncan was an Evansville horse owner charged with neglect back in March.
He told the court that he is currently in the process of hiring an attorney.
Until counsel is obtained, the court cannot file the bond from the Vanderburgh Co. Prosecutor's Office and Animal Care and Control.
The bond states that Duncan has 10 days to produce nearly $10,000 to pay for the care and keeping of the horse.
In the meantime, the prosecutor's office plans on meeting with Duncan and his attorney to see the horses can be put up for adoption.
"Mr. Duncan could relinquish the horses," Vanderburgh Co. Deputy Prosecutor Camala Cooley said. "If that's not the case then we would have a hearing regarding any monies that are due for their upkeep."
"They're getting to be horses they're enjoying being out in the pasture and interacting with each other instead of the situation they were in being confined in the stalls," Animal Care and Control Superintendent Monica Freeman said.
Freeman says it will still be several months before the horses fully recover.
Duncan's progress hearing date is set for May 14. | Source: WFIE - April 23, 2010 Update posted on Apr 26, 2010 - 1:16AM |
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