Copyright 2009 © United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. All rights reserved.
January 30, 2009:
This colt and mare came in from a cruelty case investigation. The colt (on left) arrived extremely thin and lethargic. Although he ate, it was very slowly. He was reported by the owner to have a problem with choke due to an abnormality with his esophagus, but no defect was found via endoscopy by a USERL attending veterinarian. What was found was severe dental issues. He is doing much better now that his problem teeth have been worked on; eating grain and hay with no problems and getting more energy every day. He will require more dental work as he gets stronger.
The mare (on right) was severely underweight. A large mare of 17 hands, her weak rear legs (lack of muscle) were making it difficult for her to get up when she lay down. The owner reported arthritis as to the reason she was down so much. No obvious arthritis has been found. She has gotten stronger with good nutrition and has now not had any issues with getting up for the past 6 weeks. Check back soon for updated photos!
This colt and mare came in from a cruelty case investigation. The colt (on left) arrived extremely thin and lethargic. Although he ate, it was very slowly. He was reported by the owner to have a problem with choke due to an abnormality with his esophagus, but no defect was found via endoscopy by a USERL attending veterinarian. What was found was severe dental issues. He is doing much better now that his problem teeth have been worked on; eating grain and hay with no problems and getting more energy every day. He will require more dental work as he gets stronger.
The mare (on right) was severely underweight. A large mare of 17 hands, her weak rear legs (lack of muscle) were making it difficult for her to get up when she lay down. The owner reported arthritis as to the reason she was down so much. No obvious arthritis has been found. She has gotten stronger with good nutrition and has now not had any issues with getting up for the past 6 weeks. Check back soon for updated photos!
April 3, 2009
Today the neglect of 11 horses will end with the seizure of all horses on the property at 4849 Enniskillen Road in Fayetteville, NC belonging to Tammy Montiel, the owner of “Private Equine Animal Sanctuary”. Horses in her care were donated for retirement at the facility.
Montiel first had problems in Harnett County in May/2008 when officials there were investigating the care of the horses. She was evicted and moved the horses to a location in Cumberland County. Officials there began to get reports of neglect at the farm later in the year and have been monitoring and educating Montiel on the care of the horses. Cumberland County Animal Control seized two horses in life threatening condition in January, and asked for assistance from the United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. after attempts to resolve the issue were unsuccessful. After initial compliance from USERL investigators, the horses have worsened in her care and now require seizure to get them the help they need.
Cumberland County Officials and Investigators and volunteers with the United States Equine Rescue League are working together to remove them from the property. The horses will be transported to USERL quarantine facilities where they will receive medical and nutritional care.
Charges have been filed against the owner, Tammy Montiel.
Eight of the eleven horses are being housed and cared for by the USERL Quarantine/Rehab Foster Farms.
Donations towards the care of these horses can be mailed to:
USERL
9660 Falls of Neuse Road
Suite 138 Box 300
Raleigh, NC 27615
**you can note Cumberland County horses on the check.
and an online payment can be made soon! Details will be updated at www.userlstore.org
Today the neglect of 11 horses will end with the seizure of all horses on the property at 4849 Enniskillen Road in Fayetteville, NC belonging to Tammy Montiel, the owner of “Private Equine Animal Sanctuary”. Horses in her care were donated for retirement at the facility.
Montiel first had problems in Harnett County in May/2008 when officials there were investigating the care of the horses. She was evicted and moved the horses to a location in Cumberland County. Officials there began to get reports of neglect at the farm later in the year and have been monitoring and educating Montiel on the care of the horses. Cumberland County Animal Control seized two horses in life threatening condition in January, and asked for assistance from the United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. after attempts to resolve the issue were unsuccessful. After initial compliance from USERL investigators, the horses have worsened in her care and now require seizure to get them the help they need.
Cumberland County Officials and Investigators and volunteers with the United States Equine Rescue League are working together to remove them from the property. The horses will be transported to USERL quarantine facilities where they will receive medical and nutritional care.
Charges have been filed against the owner, Tammy Montiel.
Eight of the eleven horses are being housed and cared for by the USERL Quarantine/Rehab Foster Farms.
Donations towards the care of these horses can be mailed to:
USERL
9660 Falls of Neuse Road
Suite 138 Box 300
Raleigh, NC 27615
**you can note Cumberland County horses on the check.
and an online payment can be made soon! Details will be updated at www.userlstore.org
Press Release:
Case Background:
This case began in Harnett County in early 2008. Several attempts were made by Harnett County officials and their cruelty investigator to educate the owner on the basic care needed for these horses. After much pressure, the owner surrendered several horses to two organizations. USERL agreed to take in three of those horses in May/2008 and their stories are here. None had health reasons for their weight loss, except for one that needed dental work to properly chew her food. Two gained weight very easily and quickly on twice a day feedings, and the third gained weight at an average rate on twice a day feedings.
At the time these horses were surrendered in May of 2008, the property owner evicted Montiel and the horses were moved to a Cumberland County address. Harnett County officials worked with Cumberland County officials to update them on the cruelty case and the move of the horses to that county.
Later in 2008, Cumberland County began receiving neglect reports about Montiel's horses and began visiting to check on the horses. Several were in poor condition in late 2008, and two of those were seized under exigent circemstances for life threatening conditions to get them medical care. Those two horses are pictured at the top and arrived to USERL in January. At that point, USERL and Cumberland County Animal Control worked together to educate Montiel on their care once again. USERL offered to her to accept 6 of the horses in the worst condition into the USERL Horse Program to reduce her burden and help her better financially care for the remaining horses. Montiel refused to donate the six horses.
Although Montiel appeared to respond in the beginning to the education and compliance requests, the horses remained in poor body condition two months later with no improvement in their weight and several losing weight, and with inadequate food on the property to care for them all. It was decided in the best interest of the remaining horses to remove them before further deterioration of their health.
This case began in Harnett County in early 2008. Several attempts were made by Harnett County officials and their cruelty investigator to educate the owner on the basic care needed for these horses. After much pressure, the owner surrendered several horses to two organizations. USERL agreed to take in three of those horses in May/2008 and their stories are here. None had health reasons for their weight loss, except for one that needed dental work to properly chew her food. Two gained weight very easily and quickly on twice a day feedings, and the third gained weight at an average rate on twice a day feedings.
At the time these horses were surrendered in May of 2008, the property owner evicted Montiel and the horses were moved to a Cumberland County address. Harnett County officials worked with Cumberland County officials to update them on the cruelty case and the move of the horses to that county.
Later in 2008, Cumberland County began receiving neglect reports about Montiel's horses and began visiting to check on the horses. Several were in poor condition in late 2008, and two of those were seized under exigent circemstances for life threatening conditions to get them medical care. Those two horses are pictured at the top and arrived to USERL in January. At that point, USERL and Cumberland County Animal Control worked together to educate Montiel on their care once again. USERL offered to her to accept 6 of the horses in the worst condition into the USERL Horse Program to reduce her burden and help her better financially care for the remaining horses. Montiel refused to donate the six horses.
Although Montiel appeared to respond in the beginning to the education and compliance requests, the horses remained in poor body condition two months later with no improvement in their weight and several losing weight, and with inadequate food on the property to care for them all. It was decided in the best interest of the remaining horses to remove them before further deterioration of their health.
USERL wishes to thank both Harnett County Animal Control and Cumberland County Animal Control for their diligent work on this case, as well as to the Cumberland County Sheriff's office and USERL Investigators and volunteers that assisted the horses Friday.
May 30, 2009: Update
After several weeks of treating for infestations of lice and skin abrasions from scratching, and beginning a basic feeding program, all the 8 horses USERL is caring for from this case are gaining weight very well. Following are photos of all the horses on the day of seizure and photos of some showing how they are doing now. More photos of all the horses will be added in the following week.
After several weeks of treating for infestations of lice and skin abrasions from scratching, and beginning a basic feeding program, all the 8 horses USERL is caring for from this case are gaining weight very well. Following are photos of all the horses on the day of seizure and photos of some showing how they are doing now. More photos of all the horses will be added in the following week.
April 3, 2009
April 7, 2009
May 19, 2009
April 7, 2009
May 19, 2009
May 9, 2009
Three of the eleven horses are being cared for by the Cumberland County Animal Shelter. Recent photos coming soon!
Photo of Horse #11 coming soon!
May 31, 2009
April 3, 2009
April 3, 2009
April 3, 2009
April 3, 2009
April 3, 2009
April 3, 2009
April 3, 2009
April 3, 2009
April 3, 2009
June 1, 2009
May 1, 2009
This is the horse from the top of the page that was seized under exigent circumstances by Cumberland County Animal Control in December of 2008 for immediate life-saving treatment. He was severely underweight with pressure sores from being down due to malnutrition. Cumberland County Animal Control asked USERL in January to take custody of the horse, and another seized the same day that was down, and complete rehabilitation with them. Now strong enough to be transported, the small bay was taken to a veterinary clinic for a complete evaluation. Montiel said this horse had an abnormality of his esophagus that caused him to choke - hence his poor body condition. A thorough veterinary examination and endoscopy found no signs of previous chokes or gross evidence of abnormalities with the esophagus. His teeth, however, were found to be in very bad shape leaving him with no grinding surface to chew food. His teeth were floated, with a follow up in 6 months to do more work on them.
Now known as Elf, he began to eat better almost instantly. He does "gurgle" as he eats, and therefore does have a slight abnormality of the esophagus. However, since there was no evidence of trauma to the esophagus, or other obvious signs, this abnormality is slight and has not affected his rehabilitation. Elf has never choked and eats textured feed, hay and grass just fine now. His weight gain was astonishing after the simple procedure to float his teeth - a basic and very affordable veterinary procedure.
Now known as Elf, he began to eat better almost instantly. He does "gurgle" as he eats, and therefore does have a slight abnormality of the esophagus. However, since there was no evidence of trauma to the esophagus, or other obvious signs, this abnormality is slight and has not affected his rehabilitation. Elf has never choked and eats textured feed, hay and grass just fine now. His weight gain was astonishing after the simple procedure to float his teeth - a basic and very affordable veterinary procedure.
January 30, 2009
June 3, 2009
June 3, 2009
October 8, 2009:
Tammy Montiel was arrested and charged with 13 counts of Animal Cruelty today. (Read WRAL news story)
All horses are now out of rehabilitation and are at full weight and doing very well. News of the court proceedings will be announced as they occur.
Tammy Montiel was arrested and charged with 13 counts of Animal Cruelty today. (Read WRAL news story)
All horses are now out of rehabilitation and are at full weight and doing very well. News of the court proceedings will be announced as they occur.