CRERS
Well-Known Member
I just got off of the phone with the sheriff's office - Sheriff Coleman was not in so I asked who I would speak with in regards to an animal welfare issue. The deputy sheriff knew exactly what I was talking about and asked if I was referring to the Miniature horses. He told me that they've been getting calls, faxes and emails as far away as England & New Zealand. I said that I know because people all over the world are being enlightened to the plight of these horses, everyone is watching and waiting to see what is done for these animals. He was very quiet.
I was polite, however, I called him on a few things - I was told that there was never an issue of no food, water, etc... the only 'issue' was that the owner did not have enough pasture for all of the horses. My response to that was any animal in this condition is not being properly cared for and whether it is a situation of not enough pasture, food, water, veterinary care or whatever, the condition they are in most certainly constitutes NEGLECT as is highly apparent by their condition. The conditions they're living under are horrendous.
He told me that 2 veterinarians have been out to see the horses and that the owner is following instructions and also that the sheriff's department has been out there almost daily to over-see that he is following instructions. I was told they've all been wormed.......I asked if they've been seen by a farrier. No response. A few times he became dead silent on the other end.
I asked the deputy if he was familiar with the term Hoarding and he had absolutely no idea what that meant. I explained it to him and asked him if the owner was planning to keep all of the Mini's that he's having an issue caring for......he said yes, he owns them. I asked him to familiarize himself with the definition of a 'hoarder'.
I was also told that he's been in contact with the AMHA and he's getting help by the 'right' people now. Someone has offered him pasture and he will be moving some there - I asked if they were going to continue monitoring the situation at the 'new pasture' and he said they would.
I was also told that the horses in the pens are in there because they're in excess of 40 years old and some have cancer. Why is it that I hear 'it's old and has cancer' constantly for excuses of horses being extremely thin. This was the excuse of Limerick's owner, who we successfully prosecuted after proving the horse DID NOT have cancer and was just being starved, plain and simple.
All in all, I honestly do not think they have any clue as to the severity of this situation or they're protecting this owner for whatever reason.
I let him know that the world is watching Bourbon County, KS and will continue watching.
I was polite, however, I called him on a few things - I was told that there was never an issue of no food, water, etc... the only 'issue' was that the owner did not have enough pasture for all of the horses. My response to that was any animal in this condition is not being properly cared for and whether it is a situation of not enough pasture, food, water, veterinary care or whatever, the condition they are in most certainly constitutes NEGLECT as is highly apparent by their condition. The conditions they're living under are horrendous.
He told me that 2 veterinarians have been out to see the horses and that the owner is following instructions and also that the sheriff's department has been out there almost daily to over-see that he is following instructions. I was told they've all been wormed.......I asked if they've been seen by a farrier. No response. A few times he became dead silent on the other end.
I asked the deputy if he was familiar with the term Hoarding and he had absolutely no idea what that meant. I explained it to him and asked him if the owner was planning to keep all of the Mini's that he's having an issue caring for......he said yes, he owns them. I asked him to familiarize himself with the definition of a 'hoarder'.
I was also told that he's been in contact with the AMHA and he's getting help by the 'right' people now. Someone has offered him pasture and he will be moving some there - I asked if they were going to continue monitoring the situation at the 'new pasture' and he said they would.
I was also told that the horses in the pens are in there because they're in excess of 40 years old and some have cancer. Why is it that I hear 'it's old and has cancer' constantly for excuses of horses being extremely thin. This was the excuse of Limerick's owner, who we successfully prosecuted after proving the horse DID NOT have cancer and was just being starved, plain and simple.
All in all, I honestly do not think they have any clue as to the severity of this situation or they're protecting this owner for whatever reason.
I let him know that the world is watching Bourbon County, KS and will continue watching.
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