Horse Haven pushing for tougher punishments for people who starve horses

TENNESSEE -- Horse Haven is now pushing for tougher laws, after an abused horse died last month.

Veterinarians had to humanely euthanize 15-month-old "Pugsley" after he took a turn for the worse.

Advocates say Puglsey was starved for most of his life, and was unable to eat or stand before he died.

He was one of several horses seized from a Blount County property on July 10th.

 

Horse Haven has started a petition on Change.org pushing for "Pugsley's Law," which would make it a felony in Tennessee to starve horses to death.

"I would like that applied to all animals and all livestock because it's a very very cruel and painful way to die," said Sonja Cowsert, Horse Haven's Assistant Executive Director.

 

Pugsley's owner is facing charges.

So far, more than 1300 people have signed the petition. Horse Haven says the next step is finding a lawmaker to help them write a bill to present to the Legislature.

Click HERE to see the petition.

(WBIR - Aug 12, 2013)

Earlier:

• Horse seized in Louisville dies
• Pugsley, horse rescued from Louisville owner by BCSPCA, showing improvement