Starving Horses in Virginia
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Starving Horses in Virginia
Read in the Post today there were eight horses seized and one was found dead. All appeared to be Thoroughbreds. The paper stated that with the current drought and rising price of hay may produce more cases of neglect and abuse (I sure hope not). The horses are at another farm now and being fed hay and slowly progressing to grain. Cats and dogs were also seized from the farm.
A horse gallops with his lungs
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
Perseveres with his heart
And wins with his character. --Tesio
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Secretariat73
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Emaciated animals removed from Clarke County property
By Stephanie Mangino
The Winchester Star
Berryville — A Nov. 29 hearing will determine the fate of several animals recently seized by Clarke County officials from a property in the 3500 block of Wycliffe Road.
The animals include seven horses, six dogs, and 10 cats, Clarke County Commonwealth's Attorney Suzanne M. "Suni" Perka said on Wednesday.
An eighth horse was deceased at the time the investigation started, she said.
The seizure occurred after Mitchell K. Rode of Equine Medical Services went to the scene and assessed the condition of the animals, Perka said.
According to state law, such animals cannot be impounded by a jurisdiction unless the action is recommended by the state veterinarian or a state veterinarian's representative, she added.
On Friday, a petition was filed allowing the county to seize the animals, she said.
The horses were allegedly in the most severe condition, with six having scores between one and two on the body condition scoring system used for the animals, Perka said.
A score of one denotes an extremely emaciated animal, according to the Complete Rider Web site at www.completerider.com/bodycondition.htm. A score of two describes a very thin animal that could still be called emaciated, according to the site.
The remaining horse was assessed at a score of three, which denotes a thin animal. "The best was a three," Perka said.
Perka said officials are still trying to determine who was supposed to be caring for the animals.
The upcoming Clarke County General District Court hearing will determine if the animals had been abandoned, cruelly treated, or deprived of adequate care, Perka said. If the court finds that has occurred, state code says the court can order a number of actions. According to the Code of Virginia, the animal(s) can be:
* "Sold by a local governing body;
* Humanely destroyed, or disposed of by sale or gift to a federal agency, state-supported institution, agency of the Commonwealth, agency of another state, or a licensed federal dealer having its principal place of business located within the Commonwealth;
* Delivered to any local humane society or shelter, or to any person who is a resident of the county or city where the animal is seized or an adjacent county or city in the Commonwealth and who will pay the required license fee, if any, on such animal;"
* Delivered to the person with a right of property to the animal, if the condition of the animal(s) is not attributable to the actions or inactions of that person.
After the hearing occurs, Perka said "We expect that criminal charges will be following."
Perka said this is the third horse seizure that has occurred during her 10 years in office.
The Nov. 29 hearing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in Clarke County General District Court.
By Stephanie Mangino
The Winchester Star
Berryville — A Nov. 29 hearing will determine the fate of several animals recently seized by Clarke County officials from a property in the 3500 block of Wycliffe Road.
The animals include seven horses, six dogs, and 10 cats, Clarke County Commonwealth's Attorney Suzanne M. "Suni" Perka said on Wednesday.
An eighth horse was deceased at the time the investigation started, she said.
The seizure occurred after Mitchell K. Rode of Equine Medical Services went to the scene and assessed the condition of the animals, Perka said.
According to state law, such animals cannot be impounded by a jurisdiction unless the action is recommended by the state veterinarian or a state veterinarian's representative, she added.
On Friday, a petition was filed allowing the county to seize the animals, she said.
The horses were allegedly in the most severe condition, with six having scores between one and two on the body condition scoring system used for the animals, Perka said.
A score of one denotes an extremely emaciated animal, according to the Complete Rider Web site at www.completerider.com/bodycondition.htm. A score of two describes a very thin animal that could still be called emaciated, according to the site.
The remaining horse was assessed at a score of three, which denotes a thin animal. "The best was a three," Perka said.
Perka said officials are still trying to determine who was supposed to be caring for the animals.
The upcoming Clarke County General District Court hearing will determine if the animals had been abandoned, cruelly treated, or deprived of adequate care, Perka said. If the court finds that has occurred, state code says the court can order a number of actions. According to the Code of Virginia, the animal(s) can be:
* "Sold by a local governing body;
* Humanely destroyed, or disposed of by sale or gift to a federal agency, state-supported institution, agency of the Commonwealth, agency of another state, or a licensed federal dealer having its principal place of business located within the Commonwealth;
* Delivered to any local humane society or shelter, or to any person who is a resident of the county or city where the animal is seized or an adjacent county or city in the Commonwealth and who will pay the required license fee, if any, on such animal;"
* Delivered to the person with a right of property to the animal, if the condition of the animal(s) is not attributable to the actions or inactions of that person.
After the hearing occurs, Perka said "We expect that criminal charges will be following."
Perka said this is the third horse seizure that has occurred during her 10 years in office.
The Nov. 29 hearing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in Clarke County General District Court.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/alexbrown/messages?msg=16983.2
Pics of the horses seized- this discussion was prompted as the seized horses could use some blankets.
Pics of the horses seized- this discussion was prompted as the seized horses could use some blankets.
