On April 8, animal control officer April Keck, responding to a citizen complaint, found a dead horse and another severely emaciated in the yard at 8218 S. County Road 550 East. The horses had resorted to eating tree bark in an unsuccessful bid for nourishment.
The surviving horse, a 6-year-old quarter horse named Little Bit, was removed the next day and, thanks to an outpouring of donations from the public, transferred to Indiana Horse Rescue's Frankfort facility.
Keck said she plans to submit her report to the prosecutor's office and is recommending that charges to be filed against James Fitzsimons, who has relinquished ownership of the horse.
"I am going to be pushing for charges," Keck said Monday. "I'm just not sure if it will be in the realm of animal neglect or animal cruelty. I'm hoping for a prosecution of some sort."
Meanwhile, Little Bit continues to gain weight at Indiana Horse Rescue Central. From the moment rescue personnel approached the mare on April 8, it became clear she was a fighter.
"She actually made them chase to catch her," facility manager Jamie Showers said. "Right there it indicated to us she wasn't just ready to lay down and die. She was ready to run and be a horse but didn't have the nourishment to do so. Now she's got a lot of fire. She wants to kick up her heels. She's showing behaviors more horselike than (just meant to) preserve life."
Little Bit required constant attention the first 24 hours. Evaluations by a veterinarian and a dentist found the horse severely malnourished with parasites and a possible skin condition. Sharp points in her teeth — likely from lack of use — had created sores. The space between her thighs was so great a football could fit through without touching skin.
Three weeks into her recovery, Little Bit has gained more than 40 pounds. She receives three meals a day with ample time to graze. Too brittle to be placed with other horses, she grazes alone. When she feels up to it, she runs.
But there's a long road ahead. Volunteers and staff monitor her regularly. In her bedroom, Showers has a video monitor of Little Bit's stall.
"She's up there with some of the worst we've seen," Showers said. "She's lucky in that she's young enough to come back from this. A lot of times we'll see this with older horses, and they don't have the constitution to come back."
Little Bit's personality has begun to show.
"I like to say she's got a lot of fight in her," Showers said. "She has opinions about things. If she doesn't want to do something, she has no problem turning around and biting or kicking at you."
Fitzsimons has declined to comment to the Journal & Courier. He buried the dead horse on his property.
Keck said she has had limited contact with Fitzsimons since an initial interview. During that conversation, he indicatedthat he could not afford to feed the horses, she said.
Keck said the progress the horse has made with regular feeding makes her believe charges against Fitzsimons are warranted.
"What it came down to was basically no care from the owner," she said. "The only thing Indiana Horse Rescue has done is introduce regular feeding and parasite control, which is something all horse owners are responsible for. That just shows a lack of care on the owner's part."
How you can help
To donate and support Indiana Horse Rescue, visit the website at www.ihrcentral.com or contact the facility at 765-601-4104.
(Journal and Courier - April 30, 2014)
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