Horses starved to death
Auburn, WY (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Mar 3, 2003
County: Lincoln

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Brad Marco Draney

An Auburn man was arrested and charged with nine counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty March 3 after he allegedly starved two of his horses to death at his property on 3rd West County Road, according to documents filed in Lincoln County Court.

Brad Marco Draney, 46, kept nine horses on his property before two of them reportedly died from neglect and malnutrition. Lincoln Deputy County Attorney Jim Sanderson said Friday that Draney has pleaded not guilty and is free on his own recognizance.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's office reportedly received numerous complaints dating back to the beginning of January and on into March, the month the second horse died, according to an affidavit. The first horse died January 26.

The sheriff's office contends it made many visits to Draney in regard to the health of his animals after receiving those complaints and that deputies made recommendations to Draney regarding the care of his animals.

Katrina Hoxie said that, after the second horse died, she and others began an e-mail campaign asking the sheriff's office to have the horses removed.

She says she agreed to care for the seven surviving animals after the sheriff's office said it had issued a warrant for Draney's arrest but that the horses needed a place to go.

Hoxie says all of the animals will probably live but, because they are in such poor health, they need lots of veterinary care. They also must be fed five times per day, she said, and that puts a strain on the family finances.

The horses are still dehydrated and infested with worms, she said.

"Horrifying infestations of worms, which can travel through the heart and cause organ damage," Hoxie said, further explaining the animals' condition. "Some of them have had halters on, it looks like, for years. We have some eye infections and cuts."

To help, the Star Valley Horse fund has been set up at the Jackson State Bank, where donations will be accepted.

Current state law makes animal cruelty a misdemeanor punishable by no more than six months in jail and a $750 fine.

References

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