Missouri: After trying to work with owner for months, starving horses and mules finally seized

MISSOURI -- Six horses and two mules were found starving and emaciated at a property ouside of Milan in Sullivan County and rescued by the Humane Society of Missouri.

The Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force first became aware of this situation in June of this year and tried to work with the owner to improve conditions for the animals.

The animals’ condition continued to deteriorate and it became apparent the owners were unwilling to properly care for the animals.

As a result, the sheriff’s office obtained a warrant to have the animals removed from the property.

The animals are living on one acre of land barren of all forage. The property includes several buildings and not enough open land to provide sufficient grazing to sustain eight equine. When ACT investigators visited the property last week there was no food and only minimal, filthy water available to the animals.

“Allowing animals to slowly starve to death is the very definition of cruelty,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri and Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. “We are recommending prosecution to the fullest extent of the law and will do everything we can to give these animals the second chances they so desperately deserve.” The horses and mules will be taken to the Humane Society of Missouri’s

Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union for an examination and recovery. But due to the extensive amount of time it takes to rehabilitate animals in such poor condition, the horses and mules may not be available for adoption for several months.

In the meantime, the owners of the equine are expected to be charged with six counts of animal abuse and neglect.

A hearing has been scheduled for Monday, October 24 to determine permanent custody of the animals.

(Fox2 - Oct 18, 2016)