Updated at 12:25 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2016 — Charges filed on two suspects for animal cruelty; one horse euthanized
A horse, thought to be dead, was rescued in a Logan County field on Monday, but was unable to survive after being transported to a horse rescue shelter. Investigators will now wait on a medical report to see if criminal charges are justified.
The Sheriff’s Office received information that a horse appeared to be dead in a field located at 6265 W Highway 74C. When law enforcement and doctors arrived the horse was alive, but unable to stand. According to an investigator, the animal had kicked a trench in the dirt showing it had been there for a while.
A warrant was issued to seize the horse along with four other horses. Detective Tom Kutay requested the remaining horses be taken away.
“The concern with winter coming in and the condition of this horse was the safety and welfare of the remaining horses,” Kutay said in his report to the district attorney’s office. The investigator went on to say, “We saw no hay or feed in the area and only one salt lick for five horses. The water condition was horrible as the water source was not clean and appears had not been checked in several days.”
Nicholas, a name given by the rescue, was loaded into the trailer by deputies, Blazes Tribute Rescue and Oakridge Equine Hospital. He was taken to the equine rescue, but was euthanized on Tuesday.
“I’m completely devastated to say that we lost this sweet boy Nicholas this morning,” the Blazes Tribute Equine Rescue said in a post on Facebook. “We tried everything and sadly, the neglect won. I have some peace knowing that we got him off that property, he didn’t die alone and forgotten about. He had people with him that cared about him, that showed him respect and love, and thankful that he enjoyed a last meal. This is the last picture I was able to take of him, this was around midnight last night. This sweet boy tried so hard!”
Nicholas was sent to Oklahoma State University to have a necropsy performed and the other remaining horses will be sheltered and cared for at the equine rescue. Once reports are available, investigators will determine if criminal charges are warranted.
The Sheriff’s Office said they had visited the home twice this year with the first visit coming in March. With the first call, a horse was found deceased, but a veterinarian ruled the horse died of natural causes. In the same visit, Nicholas was checked out by the vet and told the owner she should keep an eye on the horse and assure that it is taken care of and does not get worse.
In the report filed by Kutay, it says the investigation is continuing into animal cruelty of two people “as they both had declared ownership of the animals in 2016.”
Kutay says in September, the owner started a GoFundMe site and raised almost $1,000 dollars, but says nothing was done for the horses.
Shame on law enforcement for not taking them before this. Are you kidding me?!