The horse, Pugsley, was euthanized around 3 p.m. today at the University of Tennessee veterinary clinic, said Horse Haven of Tennessee’s executive director, Nina Margetson.
“He was getting worse and wasn’t getting better, and we had come to the end of options and for his quality of life, it didn’t seem fair to go any further,” Margetson said. “It’s pretty tough. We kept hoping he would change. We consulted with veterinarians this morning, and there was nothing else we could do.”
James Ford Jr., 46, was arrested at his Gravelly Hills Road home on July 10 by Blount County Sheriff’s Office deputies in response to complaints by the Blount County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The society, along with Horse Haven, removed the seven horses from the property that day.
Five of the horses, including a mother and her yearling colt, were initially kept overnight at the veterinary clinic and then released to Horse Haven’s custody, Margetson said.
Margetson said each horse has its own personality.
“We try not to double up on names so each one is remembered,” she said.
Pugsley, who was named after a character on the television show “The Addams Family,” was brought back with hopes he could make a recovery. Margetson said the other horses appear to be recovering.
“We have positive outlooks for them,” she said. “A couple have long roads in front them, but nothing like him.
Ford’s preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 18.
(Knoxville News Sentinel - July 19, 2013)
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