According to John Price with the Perry County Humane Society, charges against the horses' owners' will be filed in the next couple of days.
According to Price, the humane society responded to a call from the Perry County Sheriff’s Office at about 9 p.m. Saturday regarding underweight horses on a property on Township Road 390 outside of Hemlock.
Rebecca Starlin tipped the sheriff to the horses after driving by to see them based on reports of neglect on Facebook.
"I was shocked. I have to tell you I gasped. I have not seen horses that thin ever," Starlin said.
Price said that 11 severely underweight horses were found on the property. Price described the condition of some of the horses as "critical."
Price and several volunteers seized the horses, and they are being taken care of at another location.
Starlin and Price described a wooded area where the horses were staying with no water, no hay and barely any grain. The horses reportedly ate bark off trees to survive.
Among the 11 horses, two babies and a pregnant mare. One volunteer told NBC4 that the foal, who was in danger of dying at one point, looked as if its legs had not been developed properly in the womb due to malnutrition.
"I do think a couple of the horses will have to be euthanized. They've just gone so long without nutrition," Starlin said.
Authorities have not disclosed the name of the owner of the horses, and said that the owner has not yet been formally charged.
According to Price, he expects the Perry County prosecutor to file charges against the horse owners in the next couple of days.
Price said the horses could possibly go back to their owners dependent upon a judge determining whether the horses may be permanently removed from their owners.
To donate supplies or money to help care for the horses, contact the Perry County Humane Society at 740-347-4233.
Mail donations to: Perry County Humane Society, P.O. Box 105. New Lexington, Ohio 43764
(NBC4i - Aug 19, 2012)
