Conference noted::equitation

2003.0. "Horses Seized in Cruelty Case/NH" by PCBUOA::LPIERCE (Do the watermelon crawl) Thu Dec 21 1995 11:08

Horses Seized in Cruelty Case - by associated press 12/21/95

Lancaster, NH (AP) - As Misty the mare clings to life at an animal shelter, 
police seized five other horses from a barn and said they plan to charge 
the owner with animal cruelty.

But Linda Roy, who takes care of the horses, said Wednesday night the 
animals were not neglected.  "you bet I deny that," she said, "I intend to 
fight this in court," she said.

A neighbor called police Tuesday and reported seeing a horse thrashing 
around in the yard, unable to get up.  "It was obvious to me and the 
neighbor that the horse was severely malnourished," Police Sgt. Eric Lougee 
said.

Roy and two other people lifted the mare to her feet and helped her into a 
trailer before the horse was taken to the Lancaster Humans Society shelter. 
 President Mila Rizzo said this was one of the worst cases of neglect she 
has seen since.

Lougee and DR. Julia Schubert-Cowan of Colebrook Veterinary Clinic went to 
the farm and investigated the horses' condition.  Lougee said nine horses 
were in the barn, one of which had been shot to death.  Tow that had been 
boarded there were picked up Wednesday night.

Roy said she shot the mare because it had gotten loose, broke its leg after 
falling through a hat hole in the barn and was suffering.

Roy said that before police arrived, she agreed to give five horses to a 
friend who offered to take them.  Police took the animals instead, saying 
they feared for the animals' safety.

Roy said she did not know what might be wrong with Misty.

"I thought it was worms.  She doesn't seem to get what she needs from the 
grain," she said.

Rizzo said the case could be financially devastating to the shelter, which 
operates under a no-kill policy. She appealed for contributions.

Lougee said he found homes for the horses.  Misty, Rizzo said will remain 
at the shelter until she recovers.

"Sometimes, despite your best efforts, they just don't make it," she said, 
"but she has a good attitude.  It's heartbreaking - they have fight and 
drive, but all of a sudden,it just crashes."

    tHIS IS THE MOST HORRIBLE THING I HAVE EVER HEARD!!!
    There is so many people in the world that love these
    animals with all of their heart.....sometimes we forget 
    that there are OTHERS out there ... Thank you for bringing
    this to my attention.  I will call the shelter (I lived in
    Lancaster for 4 years) and see if things went well for
    Misty and send a $ Contribution.
    
    
    Wendy