More than 20 horses seized at Enumclaw farm
ENUMCLAW, Wash. (AP) - King County Animal Control has seized more than 20 horses, as well as a goat and a cat, from a farm in Enumclaw, Wash.
Animal Control's Cameron Satterfield said Thursday that "you could see some ribs" on a number of the horses and some could not walk very well.
A tip alerted the county to the situation at the farm.
Animal Control's Cameron Satterfield said Thursday that "you could see some ribs" on a number of the horses and some could not walk very well.
A tip alerted the county to the situation at the farm.
Support the local horse rescue and rehabilitation outfits. Â Donations are a critical need, as another poster had said, last years drought and fires have sent hay and grain prices through the roof. Â Volunteers are also needed as horse care is a time consuming task.
I volunteer at one that is already full of rescued horses and is trying to adopt out the ones they have brought back to health so there can be room to care for more abused animals.
Please help if you can.Â
If you have 20 horses with ribs showing, feet untrimmed and in ill health, your in way over your head. Those of us that have had horses know what expensive animals they are to keep and properly maintain. It goes way beyond just having hay. You also need to properly maintain their feet, get shots, float the teeth, worm them, the list goes on and on. I have heard that a bale of alfalfa is $18 at the feed store these days. Just a quick math lesson, 1 bale of hay can feed 2 horses for about 4 days (depending on the bale size). Grain can cost upwards of $20 for a 50lb bag. This time of year there is no nutritional value in grass so it costs a lot to feed. If your barely affording to have one horse properly maintained dont get 19 more. Oh, lets also talk about the cost of vet care for horses. Lets just say its expensiive and leave it at that.
This may be another out of control government agency. There are many reasons a horse may have exposed ribs that don't constitute abuse. Where is the interview with the owner? Is the owner trying to help distressed horses?
 @al_wa I was there last night, and I can tell you for a fact that these were abused and neglected horse. As for your question about the owners, they came out, but wouldn't talk to the media.
These horses had infections, really long hooves, atrophied muscles, and matted fur, as well as being extremely skinny. The owners didn't care a bit about the horses, and if they were really innocent, we wouldn't have had to take the animals. We were there two nights ago as well, and had a complete search warrant. If it wasn't the owner's fault, we wouldn't have had to take such extreme action.
@al_wa There is no reason EVER for a horse to have ribs showing....They make all kinds of grains & suppliments that can help even the oldest of horses maintain their weight. Sick horses? Call the vet and if they are that thin do the responsible thing and put them down. If your trying to help distressed horses, start slow, help one and get them healthy. Dont rush out and get 20 all at one time and try to get them all looking good. Thank god for this "government agency" taking the time to get these animals the proper help they need.
Mmm, with their ribs showing I bet they looked like Supermodels.
@Bscowler As unfunny as it is to have horses not being cared for your comment made my day! How is it that someone with their bones sticking out is attractive to so many?Â
I thought they were going to say the animals were seized because more people in Enumclaw were caught having sex with them again.
@Magic 8 Ball No. You moved out and everything has been fine.
 @Klondiko  @Magic hahaha