Animal Rescue

Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force rescues 11 horses and 2 mules near death and discovers twelve deceased horses in Gasconade County

Update-March 3, 2010-The horses have been treated for internal and external parasite infestations. Their skin conditions are improving but this will be a slow process as they start to grow new healthy hair coats. As they have gained weight and start to feel better, their personalities have started to show, their heads are held higher and their appetites have grown stronger. The stallions will need to gain additional weight before gelding (neuter) them and making them available for adoption.

Many of the horses had sharp points and other dental issues which have all been corrected and treated. One of the geldings, Ruger, had a broken tooth that caused a painful and infected pocket in his lower jaw. He has had surgery to have the tooth removed and is recovering.

Some of the equine (horses and mules) that had less weight to gain will soon be available for adoption.

For more information on adopting the animals as they become available visit www.longmeadowrescueranch.org.

Update-February 10, 2010- Humane Society of Missouri receives custody of 13 equine rescued from Gasconade County

Today, the Humane Society of Missouri received custody of 11 emaciated horses and 2 neglected mules. On January 26, 2010, the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force, working in cooperation with the Gasconade County Sheriff’s Department, rescued the 13 equine from a property near Rosebud, Missouri. Most of the animals were severely underweight with no access to food or fresh water. Many had teeth and hoof problems, external parasites and severe rain rot (a skin problem). Twelve deceased horses also were found on the property with one carcass in the only available water source.

Currently, the equine are being evaluated, treated and cared for by staff at the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. Ranch staff estimate it will be weeks and possibly several months before these animals will be available for adoption. The cost for their care has exceeded $10,000.

“We are extremely pleased to gain custody of these horses so we can continue their lengthy rehabilitation,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri. “We are very grateful for the support animal lovers in Gasconade County and everywhere have shown for the plight of these deserving horses and mules.”

Tuesday, January 26, 2010-Working in cooperation with the Gasconade County Sheriff’s Department, the Humane Society of

Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force is rescuing 11 horses and two mules from a property near Rosebud, Missouri. The horses appear to be severely underweight and have no access to fresh water. Twleve deceased equine also were found on the property.

The Gasconade County Sheriff’s Department received an anonymous call on Monday notifying the Sheriff’s Department of dead horses on the property. The Sheriff’s Department then contacted the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force to assist in the investigation and possible rescue of the surviving horses. The Gasconade Sherriff’s Department served a warrant to remove the animals today.

The rescued horses will be taken to the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, MO. The animals will remain in the custody of the Humane Society of Missouri until the disposition hearing scheduled for February 10, 2010 in Hermann, MO.

If custody of the horses is awarded to the Humane Society of Missouri, as many of the animals as possible will be made available for adoption. Due to their poor condition, it may be several weeks following the disposition hearing before many of the horses would be available for adoption.

Donate to our Animal Cruelty Fund to help us continue to rescue neglected and abused animals in Missouri.