More than 30 horses rescued from farm, 2 dead
Knoxville, TN (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Feb 23, 2012
County: Knox

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Name Undisclosed

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

More than 30 rescued horses are being temporarily housed at Chilhowee Park following a raid at an East Knox County farm by state and local animal control officers this week.

Thirty-five animals now have been taken from the farm at 2837 Voltz Lane, including two horses that were immediately transported Wednesday to the University of Tennessee Large Animal Hospital because of their poor condition, according to a news release from the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

The animals' owners previously were cited for cruelty to animals after Sheriff's Office animal control officers executed a search warrant at the farm Nov. 23, 2011, and again on Feb. 23 in response to several citizen complaints.

The owners were granted probation last month on the earlier citations, and required to comply with random inspections over the following year.

Animal control officers, along with investigators from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Regulatory Services Division, visited the 35-acre farm Wednesday to check the conditions of 98 horses, two llamas and a donkey. They placed the property quarantine.

When they returned today, investigators discovered two dead horses, resulting in new citations. One live horse and the donkey were taken to UT for immediate care.

Another 31 horses were transported to Chilhowee Park, where they will be kept in buildings used for cattle shows and animal events, according to a city of Knoxville spokesman. The animals are being assessed by UT veterinarians, under the supervision of Knox County animal control officers. Horse Haven of Tennessee also is helping provide care for the animals.

Multiple counts of cruelty to animals charges are pending against the owners, the sheriff's office said.

Case Updates

References

• « TN State Animal Cruelty Map
  « More cases in Knox County, TN

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