Starving Horses, Donkeys Rescued From Vernon County Farm
MILO, Mo. -- Eighteen animals are being rescued from a property near
Milo, Mo., by the Humane Society of Missouri and the Vernon County Sheriff's
Department.
The Humane Society said in a news release 16 horses and two donkeys are being taken on Friday from the Vernon County property. At least five of the horses appear to be severely underweight -- one horse is unable to stand, and will be taken to a veterinarian for emergency treatment.
Seven dead horses were found at the property on Thursday by the sheriff, a USDA/Missouri state deputy veterinarian and a HSMO animal cruelty investigator, the Humane Society said. The only food available for the animals appeared to be "low-quality" hay.
Concerned citizens notified the Vernon County Sheriff's Department and the HSMO Animal Cruelty Task Force earlier this week about the dead and dying animals on the property. A warrant was obtained Thursday night to remove the animals on Friday.
“These suffering animals are benefiting today from the collaboration between all agencies involved -- the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department, the USDA, the Humane Society of Missouri and the Vernon County Prosecutor’s Office,” said Debbie Hill, vice president of operations for the Humane Society of Missouri. “They will receive the care they desperately need at our Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. In addition, we will recommend prosecution to the fullest extent of the law and, toward that end, provide the prosecutor with all relevant information and evidence concerning the condition of the animals.”
The rescued animals will be taken to the HSMO's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Mo. They will remain in the custody of the Humane Society until a disposition hearing later this month in Nevada, Mo. If custody is awarded to the Humane Society, as many of the animals as possible will be available for adoption.
http://www.kmbc.com/news/30152408/detail.html#ixzz1ioQDTMOd
Original content written for KMBC.com.
The Humane Society said in a news release 16 horses and two donkeys are being taken on Friday from the Vernon County property. At least five of the horses appear to be severely underweight -- one horse is unable to stand, and will be taken to a veterinarian for emergency treatment.
Seven dead horses were found at the property on Thursday by the sheriff, a USDA/Missouri state deputy veterinarian and a HSMO animal cruelty investigator, the Humane Society said. The only food available for the animals appeared to be "low-quality" hay.
Concerned citizens notified the Vernon County Sheriff's Department and the HSMO Animal Cruelty Task Force earlier this week about the dead and dying animals on the property. A warrant was obtained Thursday night to remove the animals on Friday.
“These suffering animals are benefiting today from the collaboration between all agencies involved -- the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department, the USDA, the Humane Society of Missouri and the Vernon County Prosecutor’s Office,” said Debbie Hill, vice president of operations for the Humane Society of Missouri. “They will receive the care they desperately need at our Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. In addition, we will recommend prosecution to the fullest extent of the law and, toward that end, provide the prosecutor with all relevant information and evidence concerning the condition of the animals.”
The rescued animals will be taken to the HSMO's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Mo. They will remain in the custody of the Humane Society until a disposition hearing later this month in Nevada, Mo. If custody is awarded to the Humane Society, as many of the animals as possible will be available for adoption.
http://www.kmbc.com/news/30152408/detail.html#ixzz1ioQDTMOd
Original content written for KMBC.com.