Severe horse neglect - 4 seized
Benton, AR (US)Incident Date: Friday, Oct 22, 2004
County: Saline
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Abuser names unreleased
Four malnourished horses were taken into custody by the Pulaski County Humane Society when Saline County Sheriff's Department deputies found them in poor condition, Sheriff Phil Mask said.
Two mares and two colts were found with no grass and little hay around them at a home off of Springhill Road, Mask said.
"They were in very bad shape," he said.
Kay Jordan, a certified animal cruelty investigator, said one of the mare's feet were so overgrown that if the Sheriff's Department and Humane Society had not intervened, the mare would not have been able to stand and feed her colt.
Horse's hooves are like toenails, she said, and "you have to clip them." Since the mare's feet were not taken care of, they spread out like saucers, Jordan said, and it could become painful for them to walk. "They become lame - where they can't walk."
"The concern was with animals and not getting the treatment they needed," the sheriff said.
Jordan classifies horses on a one to 10 scale and said she would classify these horses at a level three.
The horses have been in Jordan's custody since Friday afternoon and have been eating hay since arriving in her care, she said.
Mask said the horses did not have sufficient water or grass and had poor quality hay.
With an emergency like this, Jordan said, it's important to take horses into custody to get the them the proper care they need.
In an emergency situation, "(the Humane Society) has the right to seize the animals," she said.
She said she doesn't believe the horses have been treated for parasites, and it appears that the two mares have worms. According to the owner, she said, he was waiting to have the mares treated until they had their colts. The colts are 3 months old.
Jordan said the owners face four charges of cruelty to animals. The maximum penalty is $1,000 and/or one year in jail.
The shelter has eight "fostered out" horses right now, Jordan said. The adoption fee is $100. References
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