January 18, 2008:
Halifax County officials seized 4 horses and charged the owner with several counts of animal cruelty. The horses range from 1 to 3.5 on the Henneke Body Condition Scoring System.
From the Northeast Coast Regional Director, Amy Woodward:
Patriarch, the old man of 12-15 yrs, was humanly euthanized due to the most severe founder case on record at the vets. Xrays show he had worn(by walking) off 1/2 of his coffin bone after if protuded through the bottom of his hoof.
Jeremiah, is at the clinic under guarded conditions. We are praying his blood work wont show extensive organ damage.
Luther, Luie, a body score of 2 is happy and warm for the first time in a long time.
And finally, little Marty, a yearling is spending his very first night in a warm stall.
Halifax County officials seized 4 horses and charged the owner with several counts of animal cruelty. The horses range from 1 to 3.5 on the Henneke Body Condition Scoring System.
From the Northeast Coast Regional Director, Amy Woodward:
Patriarch, the old man of 12-15 yrs, was humanly euthanized due to the most severe founder case on record at the vets. Xrays show he had worn(by walking) off 1/2 of his coffin bone after if protuded through the bottom of his hoof.
Jeremiah, is at the clinic under guarded conditions. We are praying his blood work wont show extensive organ damage.
Luther, Luie, a body score of 2 is happy and warm for the first time in a long time.
And finally, little Marty, a yearling is spending his very first night in a warm stall.
4 Horses Seized in Halifax County
Left: Jeremiah, currently in guarded condition.
Right: Luther (aka Luie) is more hair than actual body weight.
Right: Luther (aka Luie) is more hair than actual body weight.
Patriarch was found down beside an old round bale. His thin body was weak. His face was swollen from being down for so long and his hooves showed severe founder untreated for an extended length of time - an excruciatingly painful condition.
Patriarch was carefully helped to stand and quietly loaded onto the waiting trailer. Once off the property, consultation with a veterinarian over the phone gave us permission to administer pain meds so that he could travel more comfortably.
Patriarch was humanely euthanized upon a thorough veterinary exam that showed extensive, irreversible damage to hooves from founder.
Marty, the yearling behind Patriarch, is untrained and was difficult to catch. His body condition is not as poor as the others. However, he too is showing signs of neglect and it was decided to remove him as well as his fate was not likely to differ from the others.
Patriarch was carefully helped to stand and quietly loaded onto the waiting trailer. Once off the property, consultation with a veterinarian over the phone gave us permission to administer pain meds so that he could travel more comfortably.
Patriarch was humanely euthanized upon a thorough veterinary exam that showed extensive, irreversible damage to hooves from founder.
Marty, the yearling behind Patriarch, is untrained and was difficult to catch. His body condition is not as poor as the others. However, he too is showing signs of neglect and it was decided to remove him as well as his fate was not likely to differ from the others.
USERL extends many thanks to Halifax County Animal Control Officers and the Sheriff Deputies for their work on this case . And many thanks to the USERL investigators and transporters for their hard work today. It was a difficult day, but 3 horses are now in good care and 1 horse is now resting peacefully from the pain he endured for many months.
We will update this case as it progresses.
We will update this case as it progresses.
Copyright © United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. All rights reserved.
July/2008:
In an negotiation, the owner pled guilty to one count of animal cruelty for the horse that was euthanized, and cannot own horses for 2 years (with probation). The remaining horses in the case were given custody to USERL.
Thank you to the Northeast Region for their care of the horses and this case. Job well done!
In an negotiation, the owner pled guilty to one count of animal cruelty for the horse that was euthanized, and cannot own horses for 2 years (with probation). The remaining horses in the case were given custody to USERL.
Thank you to the Northeast Region for their care of the horses and this case. Job well done!
Above: Marty and Luther enjoy a meal together.
Below: Jeremiah, who was in critical condition when he was seized, is now filling out and doing great!
Below: Jeremiah, who was in critical condition when he was seized, is now filling out and doing great!
Marty is doing great and is now at a weight suitable for his age.