Northfield Police seized eight horses from a home off Route 64 Friday after investigating allegations of animal cruelty. Brenda Field was one of many who stepped in to help taking in three of the horses.
"So, we took the animals that we felt were in the most need. Actually the police and the vet make that decision. I'm a helper at that point, and I'm a helper here caring for them," said Field.
Animal advocacy agencies with the Vermont Humane Federation aided in the investigation and seizure of the horses. They said in a press release that veterinarians assessed the health of over 40 animals, 13 of which were horses. Field says the horses were bunched together too tightly with no space for shelter, and she says that many were malnourished.
"Combination of things. When you have that many in a small group, they run the others off. They may not allow them to feed, and as an owner you're not able to specialize and take care of them individually, and I think some of them fell under the radar big time," said Field.
Field says that for now she believes the three horses in her care will recover, but she says that many of the other horses are in a far worse condition, and as the investigation continues, she cannot say whether more animals will be taken.
Field says that for now, the three horses she has will remain with her. She says it could be until spring before they are released to foster care if weather is too harsh to transport them. For now, they're on a strict diet with a large pasture and barn for shelter.
"We've got them divided out. They're in our quarantine area, and we can focus on them. We're giving them a certain cut of hay, and we'll change it as we go along. We do everything slowly, slowly. They can have all they want of this hay," said Field.
Police have not yet released the owners name or address and say it's unclear if anyone will face charges.
(WCAX - Dec 22, 2015)
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