This was the case for what believe to be two seven to eight year old thoroughbreds just outside of Meadville.
The emaciated animals were brought to the ANNA Shelter Equine Clinic just after 7pm on Thursday after state police received a tip from a neighbor.
"The state police were involved, they were the ones that called us. I think a neighbor turned them in. They went out and examined them...and we just went out and picked them up, " said ANNA Shelter Veterinarian, Blake Roseberry.
A racing Thoroughbred is supposed to weight around 1000 pounds, but these horses are believed to be 300 pounds underweight.
The local vet at the ANNA Shelter says that the two horses are severely emaciated but that is just the beginning of their problems.
"I would guess this horse to be at least 200 to 300 pounds underweight, maybe 300 pounds when we get him back to full health," said, Roseberry.
"They both have really bad skin infections, both have eye infections, hoof infections, both have mange, both have lice. They are both very uncomfortable. They have thrush, they have a really painful hoof condition, those open sores are not only filled with maggots, they're painful," said, Ruth Thompson-Carroll of the ANNA Shelter.
Just like with any animal cruelty case, it is going to be a long road to recovery...but for right now, making the animals comfortable is the top priority.
Another main concern is feeding the animals. Nursing the animals back to health is a delicate process that the ANNA Shelter says takes time.
"The feeding thing, just like a starving dog it is going to take time for them to digest the food. something we're going to work on slowly. We're estimating 3-4 months of recovery and then they'll go up for adoption," said Thompson-Carroll.
Although the cruelty case is severe, the ANNA Shelter is very optimistic.
No word at this time if any charges have been filed.
(ErieTVNews - Jun 18, 2015)
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