Guilty verdict for starvation case in Sampson County
On January 30, 2008, a circuit judge found James Stevens, Jr. of Turkey, NC guilty of 1 count of misdemeaner cruelty to animals. Mr. Stevens has appealed the decision.
For those that remember, this was a case in the spring of 2007. Sampson County Animal Control was called to a property where an emaciated horse was struggling to stand. The mare was seized immediately to remove her from the other horses in the herd and get her protected from the elements, evaluated by a veterinarian, etc. USERL was called in to shelter the mare and provide care.
Sampson County had transported the mare immediately the same day to their livestock arena to remove her from the other horses in the pasture and offer water to the dehydrated mare. USERL transported her to a quarantine facility where a veterinarian was waiting to evaluate her. Phoenix was very dehydrated and weak, lacking any fat as well as an alarming amount of muscle (her body had been feeding on its own muscle once the fat was gone). Her emaciated body was a lesson in anatomy as every bone could be seen, even those under once large muscle groups. Her eyes were sunk into her head due to the large fat pockets depleted behind the eye sockets. Her shocking condition was further troubling from the extensive scarring over her entire body from the other horses going after her. Phoenix was just 12-14 years old....
Bloodwork was drawn to evaluate her values as her weakness indicated an extended time without food or water and successful treatment is difficult for horses in this condition without a benchmark of blood values. Phoenix drank water readily and was offered very small amounts of grass hay throughout the day and evening. Her nature was lethargic but she was responsive to those around her as she rested quietly in her stall. Phoenix was monitored continuously throughout the day and into the evening.
Early in the morning hours, Phoenix became despondent. Her caretaker stayed with her as she lay down one last time. Her vital signs were slowing, life ebbing, as her tired body slipped quietly away at 4:30 am.
Phoenix's blood work showed metobolic imbalances consistent with extended fasting (starvation). Her necropsy found no condition, illness/disease to explain her weight loss. Her teeth
were in typical fair condition for a horse her age, and although parasites were present - not nearly enough to cause starvation. Phoenix simply couldn't compete with the other horses for the feed/hay and, therefore, did not get any....
USERL wishes to thank Sampson County Animal Control and the District Attorney for their diligence in this case and a job well done.
For those that remember, this was a case in the spring of 2007. Sampson County Animal Control was called to a property where an emaciated horse was struggling to stand. The mare was seized immediately to remove her from the other horses in the herd and get her protected from the elements, evaluated by a veterinarian, etc. USERL was called in to shelter the mare and provide care.
Sampson County had transported the mare immediately the same day to their livestock arena to remove her from the other horses in the pasture and offer water to the dehydrated mare. USERL transported her to a quarantine facility where a veterinarian was waiting to evaluate her. Phoenix was very dehydrated and weak, lacking any fat as well as an alarming amount of muscle (her body had been feeding on its own muscle once the fat was gone). Her emaciated body was a lesson in anatomy as every bone could be seen, even those under once large muscle groups. Her eyes were sunk into her head due to the large fat pockets depleted behind the eye sockets. Her shocking condition was further troubling from the extensive scarring over her entire body from the other horses going after her. Phoenix was just 12-14 years old....
Bloodwork was drawn to evaluate her values as her weakness indicated an extended time without food or water and successful treatment is difficult for horses in this condition without a benchmark of blood values. Phoenix drank water readily and was offered very small amounts of grass hay throughout the day and evening. Her nature was lethargic but she was responsive to those around her as she rested quietly in her stall. Phoenix was monitored continuously throughout the day and into the evening.
Early in the morning hours, Phoenix became despondent. Her caretaker stayed with her as she lay down one last time. Her vital signs were slowing, life ebbing, as her tired body slipped quietly away at 4:30 am.
Phoenix's blood work showed metobolic imbalances consistent with extended fasting (starvation). Her necropsy found no condition, illness/disease to explain her weight loss. Her teeth
were in typical fair condition for a horse her age, and although parasites were present - not nearly enough to cause starvation. Phoenix simply couldn't compete with the other horses for the feed/hay and, therefore, did not get any....
USERL wishes to thank Sampson County Animal Control and the District Attorney for their diligence in this case and a job well done.
Phoenix at the Sampson County Livestock Arena where she was taken to remove her from the other horses in her pasture and get medical attention.
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