The Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force reports it has rescued 16 “severely malnourished” horses from a 16-acre property in Harrison County.
The horses were in paddocks and pastures with no vegetation and had no on-site veterinary care. When rescuers arrived at the property, officials found a downed horse in critical condition that was humanely euthanized by a local veterinarian.
The humane society reports that the Harrison County Sheriff’s office contacted them after visiting the property early this week finding 11 horses dead and decaying. The horses ranged from foals to 12 years old and were housed on the 16-acre property which offered no vegetation for the horses.
When an animal cruelty investigator visited the Harrison County property earlier this week, 11 dead horses were found along with 16 others described as in serious jeopardy of starvation. The live horses were found in the same enclosure as the dead horses. The owner reportedly admitted she could no longer care for so many horses and agreed to surrender the 16 horses to the Humane Society. Reports indicate the owner also agreed to secure adequate food and proper vet care within the next week for three other horses still remaining on the property.
The rescued horses were to be transported to the Humane Society of Missouri’s Long Meadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Missouri, for a lengthy rehabilitation before they can be available for adoption.
(Photo credit: Humane Society of Missouri)
