Investigating Increasing Calls of Horse Neglect
By: Josh Berry
Updated: September 14, 2012
Saturday (8/4) a group targeted animal abuse, taking our camera along to confront a suspected offender.
It comes after two horses were rescued earlier this week in Grant County that were found severely neglected.
The group -- Stop Animal Cruelty of Hot Spring County report they've received dozens of animal neglect calls every month this summer and year, and it's not slowing down.
Their latest case is still under investigation but they said the two horses were one of the most severe cases they've seen.
"This will break your heart seeing stuff like this," said Ken Matthews, who has helped care for the horses after they were rescued.
Their hip bones protrude. Their rib cages show. And apparently they were worse than what we see now.
"3 days ago you could see everything," said Matthews.
When they found the horses Wednesday in Grant County they were 300 pounds underweight.
They're nowhere near full weight now, but they're well on their way. Matthews said it's thanks to the acting Sheriff's Office and the local group Stop Animal Cruelty.
Earlier in the day we followed along as the group investigated a horse neglect call.
They had received multiple phone calls reporting these horses.
After looking around a bit, it seemed the horses had the essential needs so it's unclear how they got this way.
The owners werent home but if they were, these ladies would try to confront and confirm the horses conditions.
Most of the time, they don't want prosecution, only to educate. While some people are receptive to those attempts, not everyone welcomes their presence.
"Others get very very hostile with us," said Stop Animal Cruelty Vice President, Linda Hall. "We've encountered a gun being pulled on us one time."
The group said these investigations can become very intense. Often they're immediately told to leave. They said they need more volunteers to better handle the heavy case load.
This time they just left a compliance form on the door letting them know there were there and what they found asking that the owners call back.
What they don't want to happen is for the horses condition to get like the ones they found Wednesday.
"If you need help with animals there's ways to ask for it," said Matthews.
He pleaded that nothing deserves to suffer like these horses did.
"If we can get them healthy, that's what I'm looking for."
It comes after two horses were rescued earlier this week in Grant County that were found severely neglected.
The group -- Stop Animal Cruelty of Hot Spring County report they've received dozens of animal neglect calls every month this summer and year, and it's not slowing down.
Their latest case is still under investigation but they said the two horses were one of the most severe cases they've seen.
"This will break your heart seeing stuff like this," said Ken Matthews, who has helped care for the horses after they were rescued.
Their hip bones protrude. Their rib cages show. And apparently they were worse than what we see now.
"3 days ago you could see everything," said Matthews.
When they found the horses Wednesday in Grant County they were 300 pounds underweight.
They're nowhere near full weight now, but they're well on their way. Matthews said it's thanks to the acting Sheriff's Office and the local group Stop Animal Cruelty.
Earlier in the day we followed along as the group investigated a horse neglect call.
They had received multiple phone calls reporting these horses.
After looking around a bit, it seemed the horses had the essential needs so it's unclear how they got this way.
The owners werent home but if they were, these ladies would try to confront and confirm the horses conditions.
Most of the time, they don't want prosecution, only to educate. While some people are receptive to those attempts, not everyone welcomes their presence.
"Others get very very hostile with us," said Stop Animal Cruelty Vice President, Linda Hall. "We've encountered a gun being pulled on us one time."
The group said these investigations can become very intense. Often they're immediately told to leave. They said they need more volunteers to better handle the heavy case load.
This time they just left a compliance form on the door letting them know there were there and what they found asking that the owners call back.
What they don't want to happen is for the horses condition to get like the ones they found Wednesday.
"If you need help with animals there's ways to ask for it," said Matthews.
He pleaded that nothing deserves to suffer like these horses did.
"If we can get them healthy, that's what I'm looking for."
Comments
With the drought, lack of grass and poor hay crops, there will sadly be a lot more of this I am sure. It's hard to keep them well fed when food is hard to get. We need a food bank for hungry horses.
S M.
August 5, 2012 at 3:40 pm
