RSS
|
Mobile
|
Daily Emails
|
We Twitter
| Make us your home page
In January, Melanie DeAeth received an anonymous phone call informing her about neglected horses in Hopkins County.
Fifty-eight horses were malnourished and needed help, the caller said.
"I contacted the owner, and at that point my goal was to work with her and help her and maybe help her find homes for the horses," said DeAeth, who owns True Blue Animal Rescue in Washington County. "When she didn't comply with anything we were trying to do to help her, we had to call law enforcement."
After obtaining a warrant, volunteers from True Blue, the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society and authorities in Hopkins County raided the ranch Saturday to confiscate the horses. Seeing the animals' living conditions was "devastating," DeAeth said.
Horses' ribs were showing through their skins, and their spines were sagging. One of the horses died and showed no signs that it had received any veterinary care. The stables were piled with manure, she said.
"There was absolutely total neglect and lack of regard for the animals," DeAeth said. "That was shocking. The fact that an animal died. I know that animal was suffering for a while and then even when it went down, no vet was called."
About 20 trailers and 40 volunteers traveled to the property to rescue the horses. Half were sent to True Blue Animal Rescue, half to the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society.
No criminal charges have been filed against the owner of the horses, but that's still a possibility, authorities said. A civil action is being taken against the owner for permanent control of the horses, and a hearing is set for Tuesday morning.
Shelter owners from both sides are already looking for help in taking care of the animals. They need food, veterinary care and a temporary place to live, rescuers said.
"My estimate from end to end is that it will cost about $500,000 for each rescue center to cover vet bills," DeAeth said. "And we are not a big organization. We are members of the public, and that is who we are calling on to help."
People who wish to donate food or equipment to the shelters may call True Blue at 936-878-2349 and Bluebonnet at 888-542-5163. They may also e-mail help@t-bar.org or jenn@bluebonnetequine.org.
The shelters are also seeking foster care for the animals. Volunteers need to have adequate space for the horses and facilities with safe fences.
"We aren't looking for something fancy, [just] the willingness and ability to go out and feed and take care of them," said Jennifer Williams, president of the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. "I have been fostering on and off for about 11 years, and it is one of the best experiences that I have ever had."
Volunteers will be provided with help in nursing the animals back to health, rescuers said.
