Horse Abuse Reported In Jackson County, OH
Horse Abuse Reported In Jackson County, OH Save Email Print
Posted: 2:09 PM Apr 23, 2008
 Last Updated: 10:26 PM Apr 23, 2008
 Reporter: WSAZ News Staff
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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JACKSON, Ohio (WSAZ)--Sheriff Deputies in Jackson County, Ohio are investigating massive horse neglect and abuse.

Investigators say it’s on a farm located in the southern part of the county.

Deputies tell us they seized more than 20 horses from the farm Tuesday night and found another 28 horse graves.

We’re told 52 counts of animal cruelty are being filed against the current owner of the horses. The owner of the farm died a year ago.

Since then, his adult son, who lives in Kentucky, was supposed to be caring for the horses. However, neighbors said they haven't seen him for more than a month.

A local vet has evaluated the surviving horses. The Sheriff's Department, in conjunction with the Jackson County Humane Society have placed the horses in the care of local volunteers.
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Posted by: Nicole & Second Chance on Apr 27, 2008 at 10:08 PM
This is just a disgrace among God's creatures. I just rescued a colt of the side of the road where I live that looks identical to the ones in the pictures. If you can't afford your animals, ask for help, how hard can that be?!?!?! And to know the "people" now live here in Kentucky...WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?!?! I hope the law gives them the fullest extent! Horses carried us for so many decades and generations and asked for nothing but love and care! That Lynn woman obviously shouldn't own any animals...who knows what a person would do to our "creatures" talking like that..PHEW..this is just horrible! My prayers to all that are involved of nursing these horses back to health...
Posted by: a different Lynne on Apr 25, 2008 at 12:08 PM
The dispatcher told me her lieutenant had her contact the care giver by phone asking if he was feeding these horses. The care giver stated he was and that only 3 horses were underweight due to their age. I contacted the sherriff's dept on Nov.4th,5th & 7th requesting a deputy physically look at these horses. On Nov 7th, 2007 I contacted 1 of our county commissioneers, who is a respected horseman, asking for help. He assured me he would help. Due to health issue's, I felt confident that I could leave this case in the hands of the commissioneer. I regrete this decission, because these horses could have been helped 5 months ago if a deputy had responded when I made my first call. I did keep a daily diary of my phone calls with the sherriffs department as well as with the commissioneer. This morning, I gave a copy of this to Sherriff Shasteen. I hope that he understands my frustration not only for the horses, but in how I felt his staff treated me.
Posted by: A different Lynne on Apr 25, 2008 at 11:29 AM
WOW...the other Lynn is scarey because people who abuse animals typically abuse children as well. Ok..That said let me start with this. First off, Nov. 1st, 2007, I received information regarding this farm from a friend of mine asking if there was anything I could do to help. By "help" I mean with getting the animals out of there. I was asked not only because I have horse of my own, but in the past have been involved with our local humane society. Unfortunantly, our H.S. is a tiny group of volunteers without an agent so they must rely on help from our local law enforcement. I drove past the farm and saw over 20 horse of various ages and sizes (some babies)in various stages of weight loss. I called in a report to both the Sherriff's Department and the Jackson County Humane Society. I followed up for several days with the sherriffs department (as did one of the humane society volunteers) checking the status of this case. Con't in another post.
Posted by: angie on Apr 25, 2008 at 09:30 AM
my horse was stolen from grayson. it is a registered tenn. walking horse palimno in color. it was taken to ohio. are there any there of this kind? it is a male horse with a left main
Posted by: Kathy S on Apr 25, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Also, we've lost beloved pets who were truly part of our family. Pets who meant more to us than a lot of "people" in our "Family" because our pets loved us unconditionally, knew our moods & comforted us, & never abused or hurt us like our "human" relatives Then along would come some total idiot & say "oh get over it, it's just an animal" NO! Our pets are not just "an animal". You don't "get over" a human death in your family or most of us don't so don't tell me (or other pet lovers) to "get over it", it's "just an animal" Just keep your mouths shut folks if you don't have more compassion, empathy & love in your hearts than to say something like that to someone who has lost a beloved pet I've cried over my pets dying more than some "humans" in my family, why? B/c my parents abused/hurt me all my life & were mean,evil,cruel "people". My pets weren't. They gave me nothing BUT love. I know I'm not alone here on that. Some people are so cruel. I pity them
Posted by: Kathy S on Apr 25, 2008 at 07:05 AM
AMEN "Animal Lover" and the two "Anons"! Animal Lover? Couldn't say it better myself Thank you so much! I totally agree with you & I'm another one who definitely prefers "animals" to some "humans" You're also absolutely right about what's wrong with this country/world anymore. People have lost their compassion/empathy and heart for everyone and everything but THEMSELVES or most of them have. I'm so glad to see you and the others here don't think I'm crazy b/c you all see the horror in these beautiful animals being tortured/killed or allowed to die as well as I do. I feel sorry for people like Lynn b/c they're missing out on a lot of joy by seeing "animals" as they apparently do because my "animals" bring me a LOT of joy. Maybe that's why our hearts ARE more loving/tender folks, we DO let "animals" into them & once they touch you, you're never the same. You're a BETTER person IMHO. I'm glad some of us (most of us) condemn this horrible abuse & CARE
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 24, 2008 at 09:33 PM
IF YOUR NOT ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR ANIMALS THEN CALL THE HUMAN SOCIETY AND GIVE THEM TO THEM.....DON'T STARVE THEM TO DEATH.....THAT IS SO CRUEL....HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT, IF SOMEONE PUT YOU IN A PEN AND STARVED YOU?????
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 24, 2008 at 09:05 PM
I would give my animals away before I took off and left them with no food or water. I say If or when they find this guy that they tie him up in the middle of the field with no food or water and leave him there for a month.
Posted by: Animal Lover on Apr 24, 2008 at 05:50 PM
To Kathy S: I feel exactly the same way. To Lynn's post you have your own opinion to the classification of animals which seems to be so unfeeling and obtuse, but let me ask a question are you in the class of Mammalia? There are approximately 5,400 species of mammals, and the human species is a placental mammal, a member of the order Primates. Go to Wikipedia and read up on mammals before you say just an animal is not in the same classification of humans. There are many similarities. I would rather spend my time with just an animal than an animal from the human race. If people can't afford to take care of animals the way they need to be taken care of then give them to someone that will love them and take care of them the right way, or better yet don't get just an "animal". No wonder the world is such a screwed up mess, because people don't care about ANYTHING.
Posted by: Kathy S on Apr 24, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Sorry, my other one posted before I was finished. Back to Lynn's post about these being just "animals"...how can you be so callous about these poor animals? The photos and story broke my heart last night & I'm not sorry I have a heart that loves animals AND children. So no, I am one who will NOT get "over it" because I prefer animals to most humans. THEY at least take care of their young which is more than a lot of "humans" do. And you ARE correct when you say animals are "not even in the same classification as humans". No...they're NOT. Did you learn that in school? Wow. Very astute. BUT they're far better than a lot of "humans" IMHO You're entitled to your opinion but so are we animal/pet lovers who DO consider them more than just "animals". This man and the other one need punished. They killed or allowed to die and suffer before dying I'm sure, beautiful animals that are God's creations too. So that's OK with you Lynn? Not with me.
Posted by: animal lover.. on Apr 24, 2008 at 01:46 PM
this is to birdrye. what dose this have to do with jackson p.d.? They are there when you need them,doing their job!!! SO LAY OFF and you dont quit your day job if you even work??????
Posted by: Anon. on Apr 24, 2008 at 01:44 PM
I find what this man did a tragedy. But to those of you that say he should sell I wonder if you have tried to sell horses lately. Since the closure of slaughtering houses for horses the price has dropped and nobody wants the horse or has the hay to feed the animal. So until we realize that at some point horses need to be slaughtered and their meat used for something we will continue to see decline in horse health.
Posted by: To Birdbrain on Apr 24, 2008 at 12:53 PM
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office would be handling this case, not the Jackson Police. You seem to be bitter toward law enforcement, so I'm guessing you got caught doing something you shouldn't have been doing. Judging from your writing ability (or, rather, lack thereof) it must have been truancy.
Posted by: Lynn on Apr 24, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Fact of the matter is people can not afford to feed these animals thanks to the rising cost of everything in this country. I would much prefer they let these horses starve to death than their children. Get over it people they are animals, not even in the same classification as humans.
Posted by: Jackson Resident on Apr 24, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Here's the story from out local newspaper, it includes more information: http://www.thetelegramnews.com/main.asp?SectionID=6&SubSectionID=83&ArticleID=2486
Posted by: Renae' on Apr 24, 2008 at 10:11 AM
ANIMALS are kind to DUMB PEOPLE!!!
Posted by: Barbara on Apr 24, 2008 at 08:38 AM
This is outragous. I personally run an animal rescue and haverescued horses as well and If the owners didn't want or couldn't afford to take proper care they should have put them in a rescue or gave them away .I have dealt with several cases of stravation with horses this year because of the hay prices being so high and hay being hard to find.Its a struggle for everyone with horses with hay being as it is but you don't keep them if you can't care for them. The hay dealers are also to blame for being greedy and wanting out landish prices for hay and helping with the starvation problems around this area.That may be a problem but its still no excuse for the owners to abandon incent animals to fend for them selves.If you can't do right by your animals Dont have them. There are thousands of animal lovers who would give then a good home, love and care.I hope they hang the owners .
Posted by: BIRDEYE on Apr 24, 2008 at 06:37 AM
ALL OFF JACKSON POLICE ARE JOKES? UNLESS IT IS THERE FAMILY . I KNOW THIS FOR SURE.
Posted by: K on Apr 24, 2008 at 03:44 AM
This is uncalled for! This guy should have been reported a long time ago. Horses do not get that way over night by looking at them in the photos they have probably not been fed in months. If he did not want to take the time to take care of them then he should have put them up for sale or gave them up to a shelter. Now instead of it being a quick fix it will take over a year or better to bring them to 100% (they should be adoptable before then) because it is not just the fact they are way under weight they will more than likely have hoof problems which depending on the severity can take a lot of time to fix, it is likely they will have parasites because they have not been wormed,and the missing hair can be caused by several things one poor nutrition and certain types of skin problems related to neglect such as rain rot it could also be caused by parsites. Bottom line if you do not want them or can not afford them sell them or give them to someone who can and will take care of them.
Posted by: curious on Apr 23, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Where at in Jackson were these horses? Who was the person that owned them? There is no excuse for this to happen.
Posted by: Stephanie on Apr 23, 2008 at 10:57 PM
I am outraged! I am a horse owner and an active member of the ASPCA. I think that the people involved in this horrible act should be treated with the most severe punishment. The men that where to have owned these horses should never be allowed to own an animal ever again, nor less own any more farms anywhere. What horrible people, I can only hope that they get these guys and the judge lends them no mercy! There is no excuse for this! There is no excuse for any type of animal abuse for this matter and it upsets me so!
Posted by: X on Apr 23, 2008 at 09:55 PM
I mean that is uncalled for. People would have helped or he could have sold the horses. There is no excuse for this. The penalties need to be much more stiff. Hearing of any type of animal abuse makes me furious....No excuse!!!
Posted by: Melissa on Apr 23, 2008 at 09:54 PM
How could anyone let this happen? Do people not living around them feel that they have no responsibility in reporting this? This is why things like this happen... People are too lazy to pick up the phone and call to get these neglected animals help. If they would have it would not have ended like this. It is so sad.I would have been glad to give them all a loving home.
Posted by: horselover on Apr 23, 2008 at 09:05 PM
You know what this makes me sick! I hope that this person gets treated the same way that he treated these poor horses. You know I have always wanted a horse but can't afford to buy one, so why couldn't he have gave them away or sold them to someone that would've taken care of them?
Posted by: derrick on Apr 23, 2008 at 08:24 PM
thats a shame, but it doesnt matter, the man won't be in any trouble...starve/abuse an animal and you wont be in any severe trouble... police joke about it if u call them ! But let it be there family or children and it's a whole diff story... sick country people...
Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 23, 2008 at 06:29 PM
why didn't anyone report this sooner
Posted by: SOME1 on Apr 23, 2008 at 03:30 PM
DID THE HORSES EAT ALL THE POT THE COPS GOT LAST WEEK?
Posted by: worried on Apr 23, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Who do you report horse abuse to in West Virginia?
Posted by: Ari on Apr 23, 2008 at 02:18 PM
they should tie this guy up somewhere and not give him any food or water and see how he likes it.
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