23 severely malnourished horses rescued Deming, NM (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 County: Luna Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Ronald Lee

Case ID: 8632 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: horse View more cases in NM (US) Suspect was in animal welfare field Login to Watch this Case

Twenty-three horses have been removed from 4470 Spearhead Road NE, and the man said to be responsible for the animals� care was arrested. The Luna County Sheriff�s Office and the New Mexico Livestock Board have filed charges against Ron Lee, 50, for 23 counts of cruelty to animals. Olin Lynch, an inspector with the Livestock Board said the animals were severely malnourished. Sheriff�s Investigator Frank Pe�a said there was no evidence of food for the horses at the Spearhead Road address.

Sam Wilson, supervisor for the New Mexico Livestock Board, said the horses were to be examined by a veterinarian after they were moved to a site the Livestock Board did not want identified. Lynch said the animals would be put on a diet that will improve their health.

�This has been on-going for three or four years now,� said Lynch. �He was previously charged and received a criminal summons.�

A series of continuances followed and, eventually, Lynch said, charges were dismissed when Lynch was unable to appear for a hearing as he had been dispatched to Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. �He claims to run a horse rescue and says he is licensed by the New Mexico Livestock Board,� Lynch said. �He is not licensed by us. In the past, he�s said he�s rescued them. He�s had most of these horses two or three years.� Investigators said Lee previously housed horses at a location off McCan Road. �Every time he moves, we always get anonymous calls. This is his third move since September (2005),� Lynch said. A hearing on the latest charges will be held within 30 days, Lynch said.

A horse-rescue Web site (www.eq-uinerescue.com) includes Diamonds in the Rough Horse Rescue and Adoption � to which investigators said Lee is connected � with a McCan Road address and Deming telephone number, which has been disconnected, and an email address.
There was no listing for the rescue service in the telephone book or with directory assistance.

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References

Las Cruces Sun News - May 17, 2006

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