From Kathryn W. Warnick, President, Humane Society of Missouri
With no food to eat or water to drink, horses in a herd compete for anything edible — tree bark, wood fencing, dead grass clumps. The most forceful push the weaker away. The result?
Just what the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force found on a property near Guilford, Mo. last week — thirty three emaciated horses, two donkeys, and two goats in dire condition.
This horse and dozens of others are in grave condition following last week’s rescue in Andrew County.
When we arrived on scene at the request of the Andrew County Sheriff’s Department, we also discovered six recently-deceased horses, and another so desperately ill, an independent veterinarian recommended it be humanely euthanized on the spot.
Starving mares could no longer provide milk to their malnourished foals. Two of the horses were so unstable, they had to be taken to a nearby equine hospital for emergency treatment. Sadly, one did not survive.
The veterinarian stated that without help, the remaining animals would not survive the next few weeks.
The rescued horses, donkeys and goats were brought to the Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Mo. where they are finally receiving the care they were denied. Many of the horses are dangerously malnourished and will require months of care to fully recover. With your donation, they will gain weight and strength and we’ll find them the loving owners they need.
The Andrew County Sheriff has vowed to recommend charges against these owners. With your help, we can assist him and the prosecutor in making their case with photos, veterinary reports and expert testimony.
Your donation means these helpless animals can become strong and healthy and live a life free of suffering–the life they deserve.
