Kent Douglas Uitts faces six counts of the simple misdemeanor.
The horses were significantly neglected, left without food or water and kept on a less than one-acre property near the town of Lorimor, said Scott Wilson, cruelty investigator for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
No food or vegetation was found in the horses’ pen. There was only bale of straw, which provide no nutritional value, for the animals to eat. The only water trough was empty except for a few inches of ice, Wilson said.
One of the horses had a deep infected cut and was taken to Iowa State University for observation. The rest were taken to the rescue league’s Kruidenier Rescue Ranch in Des Moines and are expected to recover.
It’s unknown how long the horses went without food, water or veterinary care Wilson said. A passerby alerted authorities months ago about the horses’ condition, but until recently the neglect did not warrant law enforcement intervention, he said.
The rescue league has removed 24 horses in the past 12 months, according to executive director Tom Colvin.
The group is seeking donations for their horse rescue program so it can continue to assist authorities. Donations can be made at www.arl-iowa.org, RE: “Help for the Horses” or sent to 5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines, IA, 50313, Attn. “Help for the Horses.”
(Record-Herald and Indianola - Nov. 30, 2012)
