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Case ID: 18338
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: horse
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Neglected horses seized, one dead
Middletown, OH (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Jul 20, 2011
County: Butler

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 2 files available

Alleged: Sandra Givens

A Middletown woman is facing numerous animal cruelty charges after wardens found one deceased horse and several others malnourished in Madison Twp.

Sandra Givens, owner of the American Quarter horses, was charged with seven counts of cruelty to animals, a second-degree misdemeanor, for allegedly leaving the seven horses without adequate water and food.

If convicted, Givens faces a maximum $750 fine and 90 days in jail per count, Butler County Chief Dog Warden Julie Holmes said.

Holmes' office received a complaint regarding the horses' condition on July 20. Givens was charged on July 22 after a horse was discovered dead. She had previously been investigated and given a warning in May, according to Holmes.

Givens, who declined to comment for this story, was arraigned July 26 in Middletown Municipal Court; a pretrial hearing is set for Aug. 8.

Four of the six surviving horses are now in the care of the Animal Friends Humane Society based in Hamilton, and two horses will stay under the supervision of the humane society until they can possibly be returned to an out-of-state co-owner.

Givens also was previously under investigation by the Greater Dayton Humane Society after several complaints were made about the condition of her horses while in Dayton, according to Holmes.

The agency offered on two different occasions for Givens to give up her horses to the humane society, which she declined.

Givens claimed to have the horses visited by a veterinarian in May, but said she had trouble getting to the horses and there were money issues in buying hay, Holmes said.

"In the past three months her horses would show slight improvement when we investigated Givens in May," said Holmes. "We do not know when the horses started to deteriorate. It's hard to tell what caused the poor condition of these horses."

The horses were kept in a large barn, where it's up to each owner to take care of their horses. But officials say Sandra Givens woman wasn't taking proper care of these animals and, now facing 7 misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty. Butler County Humane officer Julie Holmes was called to the barn on Friday night. "The Sheriff's Office called me out here on one that was down, and had literally dropped dead here in the stables."

Four other horses were taken into custody, and two more are in supervised custody. "What we're seeing is a huge case of neglect. And part of it is because the owner wasn't physically or financially care for the animals."

According to the animal advocates, when there was food, sometimes the owner would not come down to give it to the horses. "Can you imagine the horse seeing all the others eat, and, their food is just a couple feet away, and they can't get to it. Just outright neglect."

Reports also indicate that one horse was in its stall for 3 months, surrounded by its own waste. Holmes says, "It burns the skin, and, take the hide off." She adds, "It is my understanding that she has had horses for several years. And this is not a novice owner. So it is somebody, who should have the knowledge already, to know that this is a problem and should not have let them get in the condition."

"Although we do not currently have a facility for large animal rescue, we have wonderful humane officers, staff and volunteers that are tending to the needs of these horses around the clock," said Meg Stephenson, Executive Director for Animal Friends Humane Society.

"We are looking into raising funds to purchase or build a facility for the housing of large animal rescue in the years to come. In the meantime, we are still very much in need of financial assistance for medical care and supplies. Feed buckets, halters, leads, fly spray, hay, grain and other basic supplies can be dropped off at the Humane Society, 1820 Princeton Road in Hamilton. All support is greatly appreciated."

Anyone who is interested in providing a forever home and a second chance for any of the horses can submit an adoption application to the Humane Society. Applications are available online at

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