2008 Woodie Awards
Knox County police issue warrant for horse rescue
Bonnie Birdsell
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
Fifteen horses recently were removed under suspicion of animal negligence from property located in Knox County.
The horses, whose condition had been monitored since April, were rescued the morning of Nov. 8 about one mile south of Highway 6 and just southwest of Hurdland, Mo., about 17 miles from Kirksville.
The Knox County Sheriff's Office issued a warrant to inspect, care for and impound the animals in conjunction with the rescue. The decision to remove the horses was made by the sheriff's office and an on-location veterinarian.
Among the 15 horses was a stallion and several mares and foals that appeared to be in poor condition upon rescue, according to a press release issued by the Humane Society of Missouri.
The Humane Society of Missouri is waiting for more information before pursuing legal action.
"The Humane Society of Missouri is awaiting the reports of two veterinarians: the on-site veterinarian the day of the impound as well as from the veterinarian that examined [the horses] upon receipt at the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch," said Carmen Skelly, statewide investigator for the Humane Society of Missouri.
The horses arrived at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in the afternoon on Nov. 8, said Jeane Jae, director of communications for the Humane Society of Missouri.
Workers at the Union, Mo., ranch, which is a 165-acre refuge for abused and neglected horses, cows, goats, pigs, ducks and other farm animals, will care for the horses until the morning of Dec. 4, when the general disposition of the horses will be determined before the Knox County Associate Circuit Court.
The Humane Society of Missouri became aware of the case April 27 through formal complaints from concerned local citizens and other Missouri agencies.
Two Rescues and Investigations correction notices had been left with the owner, but Skelly said the neglect of the 15 horses did not stop.
"The owner or custodian continued to knowingly fail to provide adequate care or control," Skelly said.
The horses, whose condition had been monitored since April, were rescued the morning of Nov. 8 about one mile south of Highway 6 and just southwest of Hurdland, Mo., about 17 miles from Kirksville.
The Knox County Sheriff's Office issued a warrant to inspect, care for and impound the animals in conjunction with the rescue. The decision to remove the horses was made by the sheriff's office and an on-location veterinarian.
Among the 15 horses was a stallion and several mares and foals that appeared to be in poor condition upon rescue, according to a press release issued by the Humane Society of Missouri.
The Humane Society of Missouri is waiting for more information before pursuing legal action.
"The Humane Society of Missouri is awaiting the reports of two veterinarians: the on-site veterinarian the day of the impound as well as from the veterinarian that examined [the horses] upon receipt at the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch," said Carmen Skelly, statewide investigator for the Humane Society of Missouri.
The horses arrived at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in the afternoon on Nov. 8, said Jeane Jae, director of communications for the Humane Society of Missouri.
Workers at the Union, Mo., ranch, which is a 165-acre refuge for abused and neglected horses, cows, goats, pigs, ducks and other farm animals, will care for the horses until the morning of Dec. 4, when the general disposition of the horses will be determined before the Knox County Associate Circuit Court.
The Humane Society of Missouri became aware of the case April 27 through formal complaints from concerned local citizens and other Missouri agencies.
Two Rescues and Investigations correction notices had been left with the owner, but Skelly said the neglect of the 15 horses did not stop.
"The owner or custodian continued to knowingly fail to provide adequate care or control," Skelly said.
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