Working
in cooperation with the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, the Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) Animal Cruelty Task
Force is rescuing 16 horses and 2 donkeys from a property near Milo, Mo.
in Vernon County. At least five of the horses appear to be severely
underweight. One horse is unable to stand and
will be taken to an equine veterinarian for emergency treatment. Seven
deceased horses also were found on the property yesterday by the
sheriff, a USDA/Missouri state deputy veterinarian and an HSMO animal
cruelty investigator. The only available food for
the animals appeared to be low-quality hay.
Early this week, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the Humane
Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force received calls from
concerned citizens notifying them of dead and starving horses on this
property. HSMO was asked by the Sheriff’s Office
to assist in the investigation and possible rescue of the surviving
horses and donkeys. Following a visit to the property yesterday by the
Vernon County Sheriff, the USDA/Missouri state deputy veterinarian and
an HSMO animal cruelty investigator, a warrant
was obtained last night to remove the animals today.
“These suffering animals are benefitting today from the collaboration
between all agencies involved -- the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office,
the USDA, the Humane
Society of Missouri and the Vernon County Prosecutor’s Office,” said
Debbie Hill, vice president of Operations for the Humane Society of
Missouri. “They will receive the care they desperately need at our
Longmeadow Rescue Ranch. In addition, we will recommend
prosecution to the fullest extent of the law and, toward that end,
provide the prosecutor with all relevant information and evidence
concerning the condition of the animals.”
The rescued horses and donkeys 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
later this month in Nevada, Mo.
If custody of the horses and donkeys 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 many weeks following the disposition
hearing before they would be available for adoption.
