NEW MEXICO -- Six malnourished and neglected horses were seized by the livestock board Wednesday morning in the Four Corners.
“The deputy and the livestock inspector are going up to the residence to serve the warrant," said Debbie Coburn.
“The deputy and the livestock inspector are going up to the residence to serve the warrant," said Debbie Coburn.
Coburn is the owner of Four Corners Equine Rescue.
She received a phone call from the livestock board after authorities received a tip that led them to the home of Joe Gallagher.
Behind the property were six horses in very bad shape.
“They're thin...very thin. Their hooves...some of them haven't been trimmed in at least two years," said Coburn.
She received a phone call from the livestock board after authorities received a tip that led them to the home of Joe Gallagher.
Behind the property were six horses in very bad shape.
“They're thin...very thin. Their hooves...some of them haven't been trimmed in at least two years," said Coburn.
This is Coburn’s fourth seizure this year.
The owner of these horses is someone she has dealt with before.
“He had come to the rescue about seven years ago and tried to adopt a couple of horses," she said.
Going on her instincts, Coburn denied his adoption.
After carefully loading the horses, they were taken to Animal Haven in Farmington for evaluation.
“They're in bad shape. I'll have to do some blood work and some fecal exams...see how bad everything is," said Doctor Joe Quintana.
The owner of these horses is someone she has dealt with before.
“He had come to the rescue about seven years ago and tried to adopt a couple of horses," she said.
Going on her instincts, Coburn denied his adoption.
After carefully loading the horses, they were taken to Animal Haven in Farmington for evaluation.
“They're in bad shape. I'll have to do some blood work and some fecal exams...see how bad everything is," said Doctor Joe Quintana.
After hours of work, Coburn is happy with the way everything turned out.
“Today is a good day that we got the horses out of there. Unfortunately it's just the first step in the process."
Gallagher faces six counts of animal cruelty and will appear in court on August 14 in Aztec.
(KOB - July 25, 2012)
