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In the News


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2010
 
3/10/10 TheHorse.com:  New York thoroughbred breeder convicted on 33 cruelty counts:  Authorities seized 177 malnourished horses after raiding his farm in April. Could face up to two years in jail and $35,000 in fines.
3/10/10 Wyoming:  Wyoming Governor signs legislation for option of processing to deal with abandoned horses:  HB 122-Disposal of Livestock provides Wyoming Board of Livestock three options to deal with abandoned, estray, feral, or abused animals which come under their control:  taking animal to a public sale (the only alternative before passage of legislation); sending animal to slaughter; destroying animal.
3/10/10 Missouri:  Slaughter of horses in U.S. could resume, in Missouri:  High selling horse at auction was $1,100; lowest $30. Bill designed to circumvent federal rules that prevent slaughter for human consumption; enable horse processing facilities to open in state.
3/8/10 Kentucky:  Livestock care bill has underlying purpose. Proposed panel could stave off strict standards:  SB 105 would create 14-member group which could dictate how poultry, pigs, cattle, horses, goats and sheep are treated.
3/7/10 Nevada:  Wild horses, inmates learn from each other:  Inmates at Northern Nevada Correctional Facility gentle and train wild horses.
3/7/10 Nevada:  The saga of America's wild horses:  Emotional, challenging issue.
3/5/10 Oregon:  Unloaded log truck strikes, kills three horses on rural Clackamas County roadway:  Clackamas County spokesman said deputies have gone to property to check on animals six times since 1999. No criminal issues were apparent.
3/5/10 Washington:  Dead, emaciated horses, sheep lead to animal cruelty charge Investigation began last fall when county animal officers went to investigate nine emaciated horses, one dead horse, dead sheep, 10 dead chickens. Emaciated horses were euthanized and two rescued.  (video)
3/5/10 New York:  Paragallo blames farm manager for keeping him in dark. Embattled horse breeder testifies in own defense
3/5/10 Illinois:  Horse of a different price:  Farm owner having trouble finding a buyer for a $1,000 horse that. sold for $10,000 two years ago.
3/4/10 Montana:  Georgia men receive six-month jail terms for Ravalli County horse abuse: Found guilty by justice court jury last year, they appealed to district court. Each man to pay $11,544 in restitution for care of four animals.
3/4/10 Kentucky:  Bill would help abandoned horses find homes sooner:  Lawmakers trying to correct real and growing problem of abandonment. Bill allows transfer of ownership after 90 days instead of current two years.   (video)
3/4/10 New York:  Trial resumes for horse breeder accused of abuse:  Ernie Paragallo charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after authorities seized 177 malnourished horses.
3/3/10 HSUS:  The HSUS Honors Humane Federal Legislators of 2009. Rahall takes top award; 130 other lawmakers recognized
3/3/10 Washington D.C. / Dept. of the Interior:  Statement of Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, on the 2011 President's Budget Request
3/3/10 Illinois:  IL House to examine horse slaughtering bill:  More cases of abandoned horses turning up; rescues turning animals away. Legislation introduced to reopen Cavel passed ag committee unanimously, will be taken up by House.  (video)
3/2/10 Ohio:  Cop in hot water over Facebook comment about horse rescue group:  Already under suspension for another matter, makes threatening comment.
3/2/10 Ohio:  Man sentenced in horse-abuse case:  Ordered to serve 180 days in jail after pleading guilty to six charges of abandoning animals; linked to the death of at least 12 horses.
3/2/10 Ohio:  Clermont County horse abuse case spurs NKY classes:  Class organizers say not everyone is prepared, able or even willing to do what it takes to properly care for a horse. Horses are different from cats and dogs.
3/1/10 Colorado:  Horse lover starts the Hay Bank to help feed horses whose owners hit on hard times
March 2010 Smithsonian.com:  The Mustang Mystique

~ February Unemployment 9.7%  ~

2/28/10 Mississippi:  Reports of horse neglect rising: 'What some people do ... is pitiful'. Nearly a dozen cases investigated, resulting in 16 horses seized:  In past two months, rescue league has investigated nearly a dozen cases of neglect in metro-Jackson area, resulting in seizure of 16 horses.  (photo)
2/27/10 Washington:  Horse meat was not taboo in times of war:  Government inspected horse meat alternative to beef and other meat that was scarce.   (photo)
2/26/10 Montana:  Livingston woman provides a home for aging draft horses Only nonprofit in nation for older, retired draft horses. Not counting vet and farrier bills, upkeep runs $4,000/horse/year, which live to be 30-40 years old. Constantly working to raise funds; donations taken a major hit with recession.  (photos)   (video)
2/25/10 Texas:  Kinky Friedman bringing animal welfare concerns into agriculture commissioner's raceAdvocates regional no-kill shelters. Admits his shelter, operating with volunteers, costs about $90,000/yr, is based on passion not policy. Opposition asks: What do you do with animals when shelters are full? How do you fund them?
2/25/10 Wyoming:  Man pleads no contest to animal cruelty: Sheriff seized 51 starving horses last year. Owner ordered to pay $3,420 in fees and costs and $10,789 in restitution to county.
2/25/10 Idaho:  Animal cruelty law moves forward S1317 introduced by Senator Tim Corder would overhaul Idaho's animal cruelty law and help protect livestock production from animal activist groups.
2/24/10 Texas:  Authorities seize 60 dogs, 3 horses:  Authorities seized about 60 dogs and three horses from northeastern Texas property.
2/24/10 Wisconsin:  New charges in horse neglect case:  Charged with failing to feed horses, woman facing felony charge that she attempted to run over man helping sheriff’s department take custody of animals and resisted arrest.
2/24/10 California:  California introduces animal abuse registry bill:  Would require animal abusers to list themselves in registry, as currently done with sex offenders and arsonists, helping ensure animals are not being adopted out to convicted abusers.
2/24/10 Wisconsin:  Ag groups to educate lawmakers on Humane Society's impact:  One objective of campaign is to educate public that HSUS is not animal shelter, but a lobbying organization.
2/24/10 Minnesota:  'Nip/Tuck' star has a beef with Franken over horses:  Kelly Carlson and other celebrities on Hill lobbying against human consumption of horse meat. Unhappy with Franken's stance on the legislation.  
2/24/10 Nevada:  Advocates gather to nudge BLM for truth in range management:  Celebrity advocates say BLM roundups are inhumane and unnecessary. BLM says horses too numerous; roundups necessary to manage rangeland, water, native species.
2/24/10 Nebraska:  Meduna receives sentence:  Receives 40 to 120 months in prison. for neglecting and starving more than 200 horses.
2/24/10 Ohio:  Horse breeder's lawyer wants animal abuse charges tossed:  Says humane officers seized 36 horses without warrant, violating client's constitutional rights against illegal search and seizure.
2/23/10 Montana:  Appeal of horse abuse trial begins:  Father/son from Georgia appeal previous conviction.  (photo)
2/23/10 Illinois:  Horse slaughter measure clears first Statehouse hurdle:  Rep. Jim Sacia sponsoring initiative since the state’s 2007 ban on practice has raised problems concerning inhumane treatment of unwanted horses. Sacia “We can document untold numbers of abandoned starving horses. That absolutely is occurring for one reason and one reason only and that is we do not allow humane slaughtering of horses in the United States today.”
2/23/10 Wyoming:  BLM proposes wild horse roundups:  Adobe Town and Salt Wells Creek herd management areas over appropriate management levels with approximately 1,950 animals. Target number is maximum of 1165.
2/22/10 Oregon:  Judge throws out evidence in horse neglect case:  Ruled no probably cause for search warrants in case involving more than a dozen horses. Defendant manages investments for horses' owner. Claims of investment fraud leveled.  (video)
2/22/10 Idaho:  Idaho Senate approves Senate Joint Memorial 104Stating findings of the Legislature and urging Congress to oppose federal legislation that interferes with a state's ability to direct the transport or processing of horses and encouraging Congress to discontinue language in the yearly appropriations bills that has effectively ended processing of horses in the United States.
2/22/10 CattleNetwork:  Racketeering lawsuit fingers Humane Society of the United States: Follows Federal Judge's ruling that HSUS collaborated to pay more than $190,000 in exchange for impeached testimony against Feld Entertainment and Ringling Brothers circus.
2/22/10 Canada:  Abattoir fire suspicious:  Federally inspected plant in Ontario licensed to process cattle, calves and horses; certified to meet EU standards. Canadian Food Inspection Agency notes horse processing has grown by 75% since U.S. plants closed.
2/21/10 Idaho:  Idaho Legislature considers horse slaughter bill:  Responding to horse abandonment in state, senate passes joint memorial to Congress urging discontinuation of prohibition of funding for federal inspectors; further prohibiting USDA from charging a user fee for such inspections.
2/21/10 Florida:  Feral herd of sickly horses on the loose in Hialeah: Five horses wandered into intersection at night. Farmer says herd of 20 animals formed as owners abandon horses. Local SPCA spent about $10,000 last month to feed 40 horses they already care for. Taking in additional animals would cost an additional $5,000.
2/20/10 Florida:  Twenty horses running wild in Hialeah:  South Florida SPCA and police work to gather animals including pregnant pony with broken leg. SPCA trying to locate owner, hoping they are not abandoned. Already caring for 40 horses.
2/19/10 Feedstuffs:  Meat output must double by 2050:  U.N. Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) State of Food & Agriculture report says rising incomes, population growth and urbanization are driving forces behind growing demand for meat products in developing countries. Almost a billion people depend on livestock production for their livelihood. Livestock provide essential micronutrients not easily obtained from plant foods.
2/18/10 Texas:  Horse seizure ends with animal cruelty hearing:  Owner back in court over care of two additional animals.  (video)
2/18/10 California:  Horses rescued in Rio Linda need a homeCounty not prepared to offer long-term care for abandoned horses; unable thus far to find homes for them. Local rescues full. Euthanasia last resort, but a possiblity.
2/18/10 Illinois:  Mac adapts to new home on Pingree farm:  Officers responding to a crash involving a stray animal in roadway found horse roaming alongside road. Determined it was abandoned.
2/18/10 Kentucky:  Veterinarians seek equine welfare board:  Georgetown Thoroughbred retirement facility has 90 horses, receives three to five calls/wk from people seeking homes for horses.
2/17/10 Missouri:  Humane Society retains possession of seized horses: 13 underweight equine found without food or fresh water. Care cost has exceeded $10,000. Man took in unwanted horses. Twelve carcasses also found.  (photo)
2/17/10 Montana:  Montana, neighboring states ranked low by Humane SocietyBased on 65 potential categories, including allowing hunting on Sundays and not giving students the right to choose an alternative to animal dissection in school.
2/17/10 Kentucky:  Panel backs horse rescue standards board:  HB 398 passed committee unanimously; advances to House. Addresses training for rescue personnel. 
2/17/10 California:  West Hollywood moves to ban dog, cat sales
2/17/10 Ohio:  Rescued horses to be placed in area foster homes:  36 horses to be moved from county fairgrounds as soon as today.
2/17/10 Virginia:  Horses recover from abuse:  30 horses being housed at veterinary clinic; placed on high-protein diet to counter effects of starvation.
2/16/10 Illinois:  Horse slaughter ban back on agenda:  Push in General Assembly to repeal state’s ban on commercial horse slaughter.
2/16/10 Virginia:  Augusta veterinarians caring for horses:  Conditions of several still precarious.   (video)
2/16/10 Idaho:  Horse trader's suit dismissed. Judge rules KCSD was within legal bounds when animals were seized:  Horses taken while owner was absent.
2/15/10 Mississippi:  2 horses found tied to trees, taken from owner:  Injured and hungry, animals seized by county sheriff's department.    (video)
2/15/10 Texas:  Horse carcass with bound legs raises concerns:  Found on national forest 50 miles from Houston.  (video)
2/14/10 South Dakota:  You Ask We Investigate Story into alleged horse neglect:  Surviving colts rated 1.5 on scale of 1-10.  (video)
2/14/10 Iowa: Pair of horses surrendered to animal control: Animal control seeking donations and volunteers to care for ninth and 10th horses surrendered to Sioux City shelter since onset of winter. Dramatic increase in number of horses needing care.
2/14/10 Texas:  Animal welfare group gets custody of horses:  Four horses seized by sheriff’s department in September.
2/13/10 New Jersey:   Rutgers professor says nay to equine-industry detractors, earns "Horseperson of the Year" honors:  Says state's horse industry valued at $4 billion, paying taxes on 176,000 agricultural acres, providing 13,000 jobs. Pays estimated $160 million annually in federal, state, and local taxes; generating $780 million of economic impact.
2/13/10 Ohio:  Defense says woman was too depressed to care for sickly horses:  More than 30 horses seized from rescue for abused and neglected horses.
2/13/10 Virginia:  Horses seized; 1 found dead28 horses taken. State veterinarian determined animals in need of attention, care and feeding. Owner has previous conviction for animal cruelty.
2/12/10 Nevada:  BLM to gather wild horses along Highway 93:  Approximately 50 wild horses have moved out of Eagle and Silver King herd management areas and are roaming along U.S. Highway 93 north of Pioche. BLM is aware of at least three wild horses that have been hit by vehicles; animals need to be removed from the area for their protection and the safety of motorists. 
2/12/10 Virginia: More horses seized from Sullivan:  One dead, 28 survivors confiscated. Two previous convictions for animal cruelty.    (video)
2/12/10 Ohio:  Tentative pact will let horses go to new homes. 36 Arabians rescued 2 weeks ago at farm:  Plan allows horses to go to homes selected by Arabian Rescue Mission.
2/12/10 Ohio:  Horse owner's attorney pleads not guilty to cruelty:  Hospitalized for depression. Accused of allowing horses to starve and go without medical care after one found dead and others euthanized. Thirty-size horses being cared for by volunteers and humane society workers who are at odds over what is best for animals. Tried to sell horses to no avail. (video)
2/11/10 Missouri:  Humane Society of Missouri rescues 13 farm animals: Took custody of 11 emaciated horses and two neglected mules Jan 26. Carcasses of 12 others found. Cost for treatment has been more than $10,000 to date. Could be months before they will ready for adoption.
2/11/10 Ohio:  2 groups spar over confiscated horses' care. Rescue mission, agency go to court:  Humane Society of Ottawa County says animals needed as trial evidence. Arabian Rescue Mission wants them adopted out as soon as possible.
2/11/10 Virginia:  Man gets 14 months for animal cruelty:  Also to pay $3,500 in fines and $4,500 in restitution for veterinary bills. Defense attorney said client fell on hard times.
2/10/10 Vermont:  Abandoned animals continue to be recession victims in Vermont:  Two emaciated horses abandoned (one died) reflect trends in other counties. Stable owner where horses were abandoned says horses expensive to maintain, escalating as they age. She holds little hope of finding who abandoned the pair on her property.
2/10/10 Texas:  Several animals recovered from Abilene home where animal seizure took place less than a year ago:  Horses available for adoption for $100/head.
2/10/10 Michigan: Judge rules horse sale invalid. Rapid River man was previously found guilty of cruelty to animals:  16 horses previously confiscated: one dead; nine adopted. Ordered to sell remaining horses or turn over to county to be adopted. Auction not an option: too costly and poor market.
2/10/10 Massachusetts:  New England horse surrenders at record high. Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) has warned that horse surrenders are reaching critical point in New England: Farm received 21 surrendered horses in 2007; 70 in 2009. Costs approximately $320/mo for basic care, higher with medical. Spending $9,000/mo for 28 horses; 17 more in foster care.
2/10/10   Dogs, horses, chickens put up for adoption by Abilene Animal Services:  Seized in June 2009, fee is $100 per horse.
2/10/10 Montana:  Horses face uncertain future, some call for slaughterhouses. Hard times for a Western icon: Holding on to horses, hoping for better market, can result in neglect or abandonment
2/9/10 Michigan:  Horse neglect case back in court. Tuesday was a motion hearing for 62-year-old Arnold Proehl, who was found guilty of animal abandoning and cruelty back in September:  Judge orders horses put up for adoption rather than sold because of decline in market.
2/9/10 Montana:  Mental-health worker developing nonprofit equine-based program:  Using formerly neglected Arabians in program. Needs donations to pay for insurance, riding helmets and hay.
2/9/10 North Carolina:  Neglected horses recovering at Onslow County farmSeven surviving horses being cared for at rescue.  (video)
2/8/10 Texas:  New allegations against owner of seized horses:  Additional horses taken from owner already in trouble.   (video)
2/8/10 North Carolina:  Neighbors complained for months about neglected horses: Owner kills himself when confronted about 13 dead horses. Nine animals rescued.  (video)
2/7/10 Florida:   Hearts for Horses to the rescue. New group aims to save abused, neglected animals:  12 horses available for adoption, but no takers.
2/7/10 Ohio:  Horses face long road to recovery after ordeal:  36 animals being cared for by local Humane Society, is huge financial strain and requires many volunteers.   (video)
February 2010 BLM / Nevada:  Winnemucca District Office Calico Mountains Complex wild horse gather    Updates  
2/5/10 Michigan:  Defendant in Grass Lake horse case pleads guilty to misdemeanor charge: County Animal Control impounded more than 60 horses.
2/5/10 Nevada:  Contentious Nevada wild-horse roundup ends:  BLM spokeswoman says 1,922 mustangs removed from Calico Mountains, leaving about 600.
2/5/10 Tennessee:  Animal cruelty reported on horses:  According to sheriff's report, two emaciated horses found:  one dead, one alive. According to sheriff's report, two emaciated horses found:  one dead, one alive. Survivor taken to rescue.
2/5/10 Alabama:   Three emaciated Eight Mile horses die of neglect; caretaker charged with animal cruelty: lty:  Concerned individuals went to media when authorities would not attend to animals.  (photos)
2/4/10 Indiana:  Five horses seized from Portland farm:  Five of ten horses suffering from hoof conditions, rain rot, lice, other medical conditions. One carcass found. Owner says they are pets but that he's in too deep. County Animal Control has seized 30 horses since first of year; exceeding 2009 totals.   (photos)
2/4/10 Wyoming:  Wyo. horses fall victim to the economy:  Wyoming Livestock Board reports horse abuse/neglect cases up from 50 in 2008 to 260 in 2009.  (video)
2/4/10 AQHA News:  Expert predictions on equine welfare realized:  Animal Welfare Council’s “The Unintended Consequences of a Ban on Humane Processing of Horses in the United States” ignored. Consequences of ban coming to pass as predicted.
2/4/10 Alabama:  Eight Mile neighbors say authorities aren't checking emaciated horses: Neighbors anxiously awaited arrival of law officials to check on animals
2/3/10 Pennsylvania:  Starving horses seized in Franklin Township:  Five horses in starvation case.  (photo)
2/3/10 Illinois:  Rise in cases of horse neglect blamed on economy:  Local humane society investigated 134 abuse/neglect cases in 2007. In last two years, number has jumped to more than 200 annually.   (video)
2/3/10 Missouri:  Chillicothe Sheriff’s report:  Person abandoned two horses, one locked in a barn without food or water. One put down as a result.
2/3/10 Ohio: Starving horses expected to survive:  42 thirsty and emaciated horses rescued. Two found dead; three euthanized.  (video)
2/2/10 Texas:  Horse rescue groups, victims of economy:  Counties struggling with abandoned horses. Rescue at capacity; received three calls day of interview. Horses being turned out on roadways.  (photo)   (video)
2/2/10 Tennessee:  5 horses seized from Portland farm: Sumner County has confiscated 31 equines this year. Another 20 animals rescued near Gallatin.  (photo)
2/2/10 Tennessee:  Horses rescued in Sumner County:  Trend shows no signs of letting up.  (video)
2/2/10 Tennessee:  Malnourished horses rescued from Portland farm:  Sumner County Sheriff's Office:  Rescue deluged with 35 horses in two weeks.  (photos)
2/2/10 Ohio:  Horse owner charged with animal cruelty: Rescue will cost thousands of dollars for feed and veterinary care.  
2/1/10 Ohio:  Woman faces 42 counts of animal cruelty:  Fell on hard times; couldn't afford to care for animals.  (video)
2/1/10 Ohio:  Trial date set for horse trainer:  Man faces multiple charges of cruelty to animals and abandoning animals.

~ January Unemployment 9.7% ~

1/31/10 Ohio:  31 horses rescued; 6 others euthanized near Oak Harbor:  Represented in one instance as an Arabian retirement home.  (photos)
1/30/10 New Jersey:  Hunterdon County horse rescue answering call for help: Rescue receives 50-70 e-mails each week from horse owners begging the organization to take animals they can no longer care for.
1/29/10 Nevada:  Death count up to 22 in wild horse roundup:  Three have died at Calico Mountain Complex roundup site; 19 at holding facility.   
1/29/10 Nevada:  Damonte Ranch residents concerned about wild horses:  Horses roaming neighborhood tearing up yards, eating landscape plantings and leaving manure behind. Motorists having to avoid animals in streets and roadways; there have been collisions.
1/29/10 Arizona:  Horses rescued from Avra Valley home:  Owners moved leaving nearly 20 horses behind to starve.  (video)
1/28/10 Texas:  Neglected horses seized in SE Harris County:  Owner said he was rehabilitating them; that they were well cared for. Deputies seized five animals; one died shortly afterwards.   (video)
1/28/10 Indiana:  Malnourished horse confiscated. Owner could face cruelty or neglect charges:  Horse scored a 1 on scale, 10 being overweight.
1/27/10 Oregon:  Horses seized in neglect case. Woman faces charges after 31 taken from ranch:   31 horses were in immediate need of medical care to survive    (photo)
1/27/10 Missouri:  Horses rescued from Rosebud property. Gasconade County prosecutors said they expect to file felony animal cruelty charges early next week against a property owner in the death and neglect of 25 horses: 13 horses rescued by state humane society; carcasses of 12 others found.  (photo)
1/27/10 Nebraska:  Meat still means jobs: In 2004, about 25,432 people employed in animal slaughtering and processing. Data for July-September 2009, puts number at 24,610.
1/27/10 Michigan:  Animal rescue groups say horse neglect cases on the rise in Ann Arbor area as economy worsens:  Rescue organizations and abuse investigators say equine neglect cases skyrocketing; equine rescues overrun. One rescue housing 20 percent more horses than normal; getting up to 50 calls/day from owners with horses they can't keep. Local Humane Society has no facilities for caring for unwanted, neglected or abused horses.
1/26/10  Madras woman sentenced in horse-neglect case:  Surrendered horses to sheriff's office because couldn't afford them.
1/26/10 Wyoming:  Tribes join UOH in call for restoration of humane & regulated horse processing:  Resolution passed by National Congress of American Indians calling for return of humane and regulated processing of horses in the U.S.
1/25/10 Florida:  Zero tolerance slaughter policy brings in more horses to local rescue:  Since March 200, rescue has accepted 51 Thoroughbreds from Calder and Gulfstream and placed 19. Seven Thoroughbreds arrived last week; 6 more coming this week; plans for 5 more to follow. In constant need of volunteers and donations.
1/25/10 Georgia:  Hawkinsville horse auction to be held Sat., Feb. 6:  State selling more than 24 rehabilitated horses, proceeds go to care of impounded horses.  
1/25/10 Montana:  Hardin considered for horse slaughter:  Investors with ties to China toured former sugar beet plant in Hardin.
1/24/10 South Carolina:  Horses still need care. Officials trying to find homes for animals:  County got permission to put horses up for adoption they've been caring for since May at cost of nearly $120,000. Demand on animal rescues increasing across state.
1/23/10 South Dakota:  SDSU Students at stock show to present findings on horse processing:  Junior and senior students to share 150-plus page class thesis.
1/23/10 Montana:  Judge denies horse advocates’ appeal:  Ruling issued by Interior Board of Land Appeals clears way for BLM's 2009 horse management plan for Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range. Until appeal overturned, agency required to work under old plan.
1/23/10 Ohio:  Group wants to find solutions to horse neglect:  Concerned citizens say county not responding quickly enough to reports of neglected horses.
1/23/10 New York:  Girl turns birthday into fundraiser for SPCA:  Party raised $20. Through end of 2009, care for 80 horses has cost $123,000. Owner ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution, of which $1,000 has been paid so far. Neglected horses a growing problem.
1/22/10 Pennsylvania:    5 horses seized from owner:  Foals emaciated, suffering from pneumonia, lice and a skin infection.   (photos)
1/22/10 Oregon:  More than two dozen horses seized in animal neglect case:  Deputies found 116 horses on 12 acres when they served search warrant.  (photos)
1/22/10 California:  3 sentenced to jail in case of neglected ranch horses:  Trio receives six months in jail and five years probation for failing to provide food and medical care for more than100 animals.  Defense lawyer said clients overwhelmed by situation.
1/21/10 Michigan:  Horses abandoned at an alarming rate. West Michigan animal rescue organization nearly doubles the amount horses it takes in on an annual basis:  Rescue normally has 20-to-30 horses. This winter caring for 110; turning animals away.
1/21/10 Oregon:  More than 100 neglected horses rescued from Oregon ranch:  Most have mange and parasites. Sheriff says some so sick and hungry they were coughing and eating their own manure. Two horses sick with strangles. 
1/21/10 Texas:  Cheapest horses ever:  Problem of horses being let go in wild continues. One horse cost sheriff's department over $600.  (video)
1/21/10 Oregon:  Linn deputies serve search warrant in Mill City horse neglect case:  County deputies found 60-70 emaciated horses among herd of 116.    (video)
1/21/10 Indiana:  Horse owner charged with animal neglect:  Man accused of leaving horses outside in bitter cold temperatures with no food and no water.
1/20/10 Kansas:  Leawood Horse Rescue part of animal neglect case:  More than 100 horses being cared for; close to a third have cancer.
1/19/10 Tennessee:  20 animals seized from Gallatin owner. Owner faces 20 counts animal abuse:  Carcasses of two others found.  (video)
1/19/10 Ohio:  River Downs takes action to avoid horse neglect:  Race track designates stall for owners to surrender horses.
1/19/10 Conditions of 40 horses under investigation in Wayne County:  Concerns over care prompts investigation by the sheriff.   (video)
1/19/10 Illinois:  Bloomingdale shelter will hand off animals to others. Deal reached with operators accused of neglect:  In operation since 1973, operators accused of neglect will turn over nearly 200 animals to other shelters. Will turn over 149 cats, 29 dogs, 15 doves, two guinea pigs and one rabbit to other shelters already struggling with influx of animals given up for economic reasons.
1/19/10 New York:  "Unnerving" conditions lead to cruelty charges:  Police found several emaciated or dead animals. 
1/19/10 TheHorse.com:  Nebraska mustang cruelty sentencing set:  Meduna to appear in court Feb. 23 for sentencing.
1/18/10 Michigan:  In tough times, it's hard to find a home for displaced horses. Animal rescue in Howell offers help:  Twenty-acre horse rescue takes in abandoned or surrendered horses, has 60 horses on farm, 25 in foster care. Gets 100 calls and e-mails a day.
1/18/10 TheHorse.com:  Nebraska mustang trainer guilty on cruelty charges: Former operator of Nebraska training ranch for Bureau of Land Management mustangs found guilty on 145 of 149 felony animal cruelty charges.
1/17/10 Nevada:  Groups back roundup of wild horses:  Sierra Club and Friends of Nevada Wilderness agree with ranchers on need for roundup. Joint statement says overpopulation harming native wildlife such as antelope and sage grouse and the range itself. Criticism for celebrities suggesting roundup is threatening Calico herd with extinction.
1/17/10 Colorado:  Prime horses selling for subprime prices at National Western:  In 2009, horses averaged $4,800; top-seller at $30,000. Average this year $3,521; top-seller $12,500. Fourteen owners no-saled animals. Reports of neglect, abuse, and horses abandoned at stables and dumped on plains and in mountains, have doubled in past four years in Colorado. Rescue facilities faced with six times the number of horses they can accept.
1/16/10 Ohio:  Clermont County sheriff rechecks animal cruelty procedure after horses' deaths:  Sheriff orders review of procedure relating to neglect case. Local nonprofit Humane Society has $315,000 contract with county to run animal shelter.
1/16/10 Colorado:  Horse problem: Abandonment up in rough times:  Brand inspector who normally saw one or two abandoned-horse cases a year handled 15 last year, mirroring nationwide trend. Folks moving from city to country want to own a horse, then find it too costly. Responsibility for abandoned animals can fall to managers of land where animals are found. Counties struggle with budget for investigations and animal care.  
1/16/10 Colorado:  Horse rescue ranch overwhelmed:  Sanctuary fielding more calls than ever in past year from people asking them to take horse. Donations down. Caring for 12 neglected, abused or abandoned horses. Can't take more horses without additional funding. 
1/16/10 Texas:  Pickens' wife calling attention to plight of wild horses:  Madeleine Pickens walked alongside three mustangs in parade. Pushing for creation of million-acre sanctuary for wild horses, has enlisted sports figures in cause. Says America’s testosterone more effective in Washington than a little blond animal lover: "People listen to football. Football matters in this country."
1/15/10 Michigan:  Owner of Grass Lake horse farm pleads guilty to misdemeanor for failing to provide adequate care:  Says he ran out of money to fight charges after spending more than $50,000 in lawyer fees.
1/15/09 Missouri:  Bill backs horse slaughterhouses in Mo.:  Lawmaker wants to make slaughtering of horses for human consumption legal. Idea supported by state Ag Dept. Director. Equine vet says current crisis situation caused by people who didn't think slaughter ban through. ASPCA spokesperson says problem isn't that big.
1/15/10 Gather.com:  For farrier, 'biggest down I've seen':  Horse rescue bought unregistered weanling for a dollar, have been overwhelmed with requests to take in horses from people who can't get them sold and can't keep them.
1/15/10 Nevada:  Calico Complex RoundupGood Morning America and Madeline Pickens arrive at roundup via helicopter. Defy instructions to land at airstrip and fly into airspace where contractors aircraft were herding horses.
1/15/10 Iowa:  Veterinarian: Poisoning ruled out among 3-Strikes mustangs:  Lab tests confirmed malnutrition and parasitic infection, no toxins in horses treated at the clinic or necropsies. Diagnosis from tests, body conditions, poor conditions of ranch.
1/15/10 North Dakota:  Heart and home for animals: Couple taking in abandoned, stray and injured animals at their farm. Started no-kill shelter eight months ago. They pay for all expenses themselves; have spent about $20,000.
1/14/10 Wisconsin:  Jefferson Co. Sheriff to auction off horses:  Nine horses and two colts confiscated by county in early December.
1/14/09 California:  NMC woman’s horses and dogs seized:  Two horses seized; two others died in December. Officials said land was completely bare, no grazing. Price of horses down so far you can't give them away.
1/14/10 Arizona:  Burdened Beasts. Yet another victim of the border debacle: horses used by smugglers:  Difficult to tell abandoned US horses from drug smugglers' animals.   (photos)
1/14/10 LA Times:  At home on the range. Making room for America's wild horses requires balance by Ken Salazar
1/14/10 Fox News:  Bo Derek's fight to save the whales: Bill O'Reilly also raised subject of wild horse roundup.  (video)
1/13/10 Virginia:  Economic crash has meant tough times for horses: Despite efforts of organizations and rescues, number of unwanted horses far exceeds resources to accommodate them all. Equine vet clinic offering discount on geriatric horse services.
1/13/10 Nebraska:  Witnesses: Rancher had help, ignored conditions:  Associates testified Meduna ignored signs that animals were starving and furthered conditions by neglecting them.
1/13/10 Nebraska:  ‘My horse was near death, as were a lot of the horses ...’ Prosecution expected to wrap up case in Meduna trial today:  Horse owner tells of decline of animal placed at ranch. Another witness says ranch owner greatly exceeded recommended stocking numbers for what ranch could support.
1/13/10 Connecticut:  2 arrested on animal cruelty chargesState animal control officers, assisted by local police and animal control officers from several communities, seized 16 horses and three mules.
1/12/10 Ohio:  Clermont Co. to review Humane Society contract:  Contract provides for housing, care, feeding and disposal of stray or unlicensed dogs. County isn't obligated to reimburse society for caring for seized horses.
1/12/10 Indiana:  Jury convicts man of horse abuse:  Unemployed, he was unable to care for animals adequately. Trial followed August 2009 police seizure of 37 horses.  (video)
1/12/10 Wyoming:  Wild horses ‘create chaos’ at cemeteryWild horses finding way from adjacent BLM lands, through fence, into historic cemetery. Horses toppling monuments and headstones, leaving manure on walkways and throughout cemetery. City does not have money for new permanent fence; BLM says earliest they can roundup horses is September.
1/11/10 Texas:  Donkeys, horses seized from Leonard farm:  23 dead mini-donkeys, and 2 dead horses; 15 surviving. Owner unemployed, could not afford care
1/11/10 Nebraska:  Bill would rewrite Neb. livestock-cruelty rules:  Changes largely clerical, dealing with livestock welfare as compared to pets. Doesn't add new rules or change penalties, is designed to reduce confusion.
1/11/10  North Dakota:  GF animal hospital to move, build crematory: City imposing some conditions, one being it can't be used for large animals, such as horses.
1/11/10 Missouri:  Springfield, MO vets seeing more abandoned horses:  Large animal veterinarians calling it a crisis:  more and more abandoned horses discarded in wild by owners. One found wandering on highway near Mark Twain National Forest. Good Samaritan spent $1,000 to rescue the animal.  (video)
1/11/10 North Dakota:  Survey: Closing of processing facilities among causes of swelling horse surplus:  Among survey findings, most horse-owning respondents are in favor of reopening U.S. horse processing plants. Most nonhorse-owning respondents are not.
1/9/10 South Dakota:  Owner of abandoned horse sought:  Horse left at Pennington County Event Center after Jan. 2 roping. Humane Society of the Black Hills shelter trying to find owner.
1/9/10  Colorado:  More abandoned horses found roaming around:  Some horse activists at National Western Stock Show say without horse slaughterhouses many people have nowhere to turn with unwanted horses. One veterinarian reports putting down increasing number of horses because owners can no longer afford them.
1/9/10 Nebraska:  Wild horse ranch owner trial set to start:  Trial starts Monday for former Panhandle rancher accused of neglecting more than 200 horses and burros at wild horse sanctuary. Total of 74 dead horses documented; many others starving.
1/8/10 Colorado:  Jeffco man admits mistreating horses seized by county: Second time in two years county sheriff’s office seized horses in man's care.
1/8/10 Florida:   Starving horses need help:  Horse Protection Association of Florida says starving and abandoned horse problem has reached explosive proportions.  Currently caring for 78 horses, many brought in at the brink of death. Donations and supplies being collected.
1/8/10 Washington:  Equine economy: Horse neglect on the rise:  Number of horses removed from homes in county jumped 38 percent this year,  county has turned to foster care to maintain horses until they can be adopted.
1/6/10 California:  Judge reduces horse trainer's animal-cruelty conviction to misdemeanor: Accused of neglecting an injured racehorse, failing to euthanize or properly treat animal.
1/6/10 Brownfield Ag News:  PETA uses First Lady’s image without permission: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals admits they used image of Michelle Obama without permission for anti-fur poster.
1/6/10 Colorado: Salazar gets White House OK for run:  Interior Secretary said to be considering run for governor.
1/6/10 Wisconsin:  St. Francis Horse Rescue and Retirement Farm:  At full capacity with 30 equines housed on 27-acre farm near Rosholt. Received more calls than ever in 2009.
1/6/10 FOX News / California:  Abandoned Horses. Animal shelter takes in recession's latest victims:  Horses found running loose, others emaciated. Monterey County SPCA usually houses 4-5 horses per year. Currently caring for 16.
1/5/10 Vermont:  Vt. farm that sells horses for slaughter spurs controversy: Horse rescue operator says "national epidemic" of people who cannot afford their horses. Is against horse slaughter. Says owners should put horses down (at a cost of $300-$500) rather than "making a buck" by selling them for slaughter.
1/5/10 South Dakota / Hot Springs police and Fall River County Sheriff's report:  Caller referenced emaciated horses. Dispatch informed horses were rescued, taken in by resident in attempt to return them to good health.
1/5/10 Arizona:  Maricopa County man arrested, horse destroyed:  Deputies report veterinarian evaluated horse and euthanized due to severe malnourishment and dehydration.
1/5/10 Oregon:  Oregon Hay Bank needs donations. Charity offers help to equine owners unable to buy animal food because of the downturn:  Formed in January 2009. Amounts range from ton or more to shelters to few bales to help individuals.
1/5/10 Michigan:  Earth Services saddled with more horses. Number rescued highest in 10 years:  Rescue normally cared for few dozen equines each winter since 1999. 103 animals in barns and fields.  (photos)    (video)
1/4/10 Florida:  Horse rescue network saves hundreds of horses from slaughter in one year: Saved over 600 horses in 2009. Rescue has room for 40 horses but need is much greater. Donkey enjoys hot chocolate:  (video)
1/3/10 California:  Lake County rancher forced to sell, give away dozens of horses: Used to own more than 100, some costing thousands of dollars. Little chance of recouping investment as market has fallen.
1/2/10 Washington:  Watch where you step - Unwanted horses are lurking in your backyard:  Horses being abandoned at boarding facilities and left tied to trailers with notes such as "please take care of these horses, you can have the trailer too." Feral horses problem for trail riders, who are at risk of attack by stud colts.
1/2/10 Colorado:  Donations help animals and shelters:  Horses and other livestock being neglected or left behind when times get tough. Elbert County Sheriff’s Office dealing with abandoned livestock. It's getting expensive.
1/2/10 Utah:  Sleuth dedicated to welfare of animals:  Animal cruelty investigator recently received report of horse shot at trailhead; its brand cut off. Recounts instance where owner moved away leaving 10 Shetland ponies alive and 10 dead.
1/2/10 USAToday / Delaware:  Rescue aids horses:  Has seen increase in both number and severity of animals needing care. Get about two calls/week. Currently caring for 35 horses.
1/1/10 California:  Stockpile of hay stolen from horse rescue ranch:  Three month's of hay stolen. Donations needed to buy more to get 35 horses through winter. Horses recovering from abuse, injury, neglect, and abandonment.
January 2010:  Lane Report:  Rough Ride: Equine industry’s painful correction gets worse as lenders tighten operations or stop lending at all

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2009

~ Annual Unemployment 9.3% ~

~ December Unemployment 10% ~

December 2009 BLM / Nevada:  Winnemucca District Office Calico Mountains Complex wild horse gather    Updates  
December 2009 Ohio:  Clermont County neglect case  (photos)
12/31/09 South Dakota:  College students opine on horse slaughter:  Among results from SDSU forum on horse processing ban: encourage re-opening of  facilities.
12/31/09 New York Times:  Debate grows over roundup of wild horses in Nevada: BLM says population is three to five times what range can sustain; animals will starve. Advocates unsuccessfully sued to stop roundup.
12/31/09 Ohio:  Man wanted for horse abuse arrestedUnder investigation for neglect of eight and death of 10 equines. Donations needed for survivors.
12/30/09 California:  San Rafael animal rights group protests wild horse roundup: Protestors call it cruel and illegal. Roundup spokeswoman said animal rights groups distort program. Interior Secretary asking Congress for new wild horse preserves in Midwest and East.
12/30/09 Nevada:  New director's vision opens doors for horses:  Local Humane Society providing home for horses in need. Care costs adding up; number of reports of abandoned or loose horses increased in past year. "Horses everywhere that need help."
12/29/09 LMA News: HSUS pushing for animal rightist in the White House:  HSUS has developed a "change agenda for animals" outlining 100 immediate steps Obama Administration can take to help animals. Asking for Animal Protection Liaison in White House.
12/29/09 Oregon:  Pet Talk: Animal-protection laws put Oregon among top 5 states:  New animal laws take effect Jan.1, including one addressing horse dumping.
12/29/09 Ohio:  10 Horses found dead, trainer sought:  Authorities discovered at least 10 dead horses and other abused or neglected animals. Owner believed to have abandoned horses to avoid mounting legal problems.
12/29/09 Colorado:  Wild horse activists plan Wednesday protestTargeting federal roundup of wild horses and burros, supporters asked to bring signs and children to show Congress and White House "the American people want the roundups stopped now!"
12/29/09 Colorado:  Missing horses not abandoned, owner says:  Owner identified. Said animals ran away. Wants to donate the three rescued horses to a good cause
12/29/09 California:   Abandoned pony finds new home with loving girl for the holidaysPony wandering in traffic. Authorities waited for owner to claim him. Never did.
12/29/09 Ohio:  Dead, neglected horses removed from Clermont farm:  Two dead horses found with six other horses, a donkey and a pony--apparently abandoned--seized by Animal Control and sheriff's deputies.
12/29/09 Florida:  New life for horse found near death:  Two emaciated horses rescued. One died two days later. Other one isn't out of woods yet.
12/28/09 Florida:  It's a buyer's market Horse owner made a profit when she sold horse after husband lost his job, a rarity in the horse trade today.
12/28/09 USAToday / Nevada:  Activists decry wild-horse roundups:  Protesters organizing demonstrations as federal officials round up horses. BLM says roundups necessary: more horses than land can support; unchecked growth leads to starvation and destroying land.
12/28/09 Florida: Racehorse's plight shines light on illegal slaughter farms:  SPCA working to shut down illegal slaughter industry. Suspects more than 100 operating in.   (video)
12/28/09 Ohio:  Groups call for ban on horse-drawn carriages:  Pair of animal welfare groups asking city officials to ban horse-drawn carriages in Cincinnati.
12/28/09 Montana:  BLM approves wild horses for Madison County:  BLM could place up to 805 horses (captured to control population on public lands but not adopted) on Spanish Q Ranch. Originally proposed 1,500 horses, but environmental assessment found that many would be destructive to wildlife habitat and soil, among other things.
12/27/09 BloodHorse.com / California:  CARMA awards $264,000 for horse retirement:  Awarded $264,000 to 12 organizations caring for retired California race horses. Funds help buy hay, feed and medications.
12/27/09 Washington:  Prominent Monroe Quarter Horse breeder investigated for alleged animal cruelty:  Victim of crash in housing market has struggled financially. Second case in Sky Valley in four months.
12/26/09 Montana:  Update 2009: Horses found malnourished and neglected near Camas Prairie recover nicely:  Deputy took two foals, one with some mental retardation, the other with bone integrity development issues.
12/26/09 Montana:  The nearly 300 dogs seized from Ballantine breeder are now living in 17 states. 1 year later, Kapsa dogs doing well:  Settling into life as family pets after spending eight months in legal limbo. Volunteers worked with dogs while held as evidence.
12/26/009 Montana:  Rescue, care, placement of Kapsa dogs expensive effort for county, rescue group: County spent $255,000 in eight months. About $44,000 covered by donations. Tax funds that might have been used to cover other expenses or capital improvements paid for dogs’ care.
12/25/09   Bors plead guilty to horse abuse, seized horses find good homes:  100 head seized by authorities in late 2008 after several animals starved to death. After a year of care, all but seven of the surviving 38 head have recovered and have been adopted.
December 2009:  Kentucky Horse Industry Update on Unwanted Horses:  Data Collected & Prepared by the Kentucky Horse Council, Inc.
12/24/09 Colorado:  Abandoned horses rescued on Glade Park:  Volunteers completed two-day rescue of three abandoned horses found in about four feet of snow. Animals turned over to state brand inspector to try to identify owner.
12/24/09 Obama asked to halt wild-horse roundup in Nevada:  Sheryl Crow and other wild-horse advocates called on President Obama and Harry Reid to block mustang roundup after federal judge denied request to block gather. Judge says opponents failed to demonstrate removal violated federal law. State's wildlife agency sides with BLM, noting mustangs have severely degraded range and adversely affected native wildlife.
12/24/09 California:  Horse owners abandoning their animals because of recessionEquine rescue centers for unwanted or neglected horses inundated. In one year, owner of Malibu ranch has had 27 horses abandoned, left by people who used to pay monthly fee to house and feed them. Hasn’t been able to sell horses and can’t find shelters to take them. Costs $2,500 every three weeks for feed.
12/24/09 Arizona:  Local Heroes: Annual tribute to citizens who make Tucson a better place. Betty Welton: She gives neglected, abused and abandoned animals aid and—if necessary—a permanent home:  No-kill shelter on 54 acres houses 48 horses, donkeys and mules, 10 pigs, about 20 goats. Annual budget $250,000/yr. Financial support is greatest need, donations down by approximately 30 percent.
12/23/09 Washington:  United States District Court for the District of Columbia Civil Action No. 09-2222 (PLF), In Defense of Animals, et al, Plaintiffs v. Ken Salazar, et al, Defendants:  Judge denies request to halt wild horse roundup in western Nevada.
12/23/09 Texas:  Horse Heroes: Group rescues mistreated horses:  Rescue currently caring for more than 60 horses rescued six weeks ago, many in extremely poor condition. Owner had not worked with any of these equine, so only a couple are halter broke.
12/22/09 Maryland:  Questionable claims leave a-rabbers idle:  Baltimore Health Department officials, working with Humane Society of the United States, confiscated 19 horses owned by a-rabs. Appears only two animals had serious problems.
12/22/09 California:  Lockwood Valley ranch owners plead guilty to abusing horses:  Three people arrested on suspicion of keeping malnourished and neglected horses will be sentenced after pleading guilty to animal cruelty. Attorney said they got too many animals by going to auctions to sell horses and bringing home even more that were sick or old.
12/22/09 South Dakota:  Horse ownership inspections to continue, Brand Board says:  Members informally decided they won’t ask 2010 Legislature to repeal law that requires ownership inspections of mules and horses in western South Dakota. Brand Board liable for cost of animals found abandoned, which need to be kept as strays.
12/22/09 Tennessee:  Some neglected Tennessee horses find greener pastures: Last of 80 horses left state fairgrounds after rescue before Thanksgiving. HSUS estimated cost $250,000, that doesn't include what local groups are now paying, taking many of animals into their care. President of American Horse Council describes perfect storm causing problem: downturn in economy, closing of slaughter plants, drought in southwest.   (photos)   (video)
12/21/09 Maryland:  Whimsical Rescue aids horses:  Gets about two calls/week from people wanting to turn their horses over. Currently houses 35 horses at three farms. Demand so high, it's running out of space. Average cost to maintain animals at shelter is $7/day.   (photo)
1/20/10 New Mexico:  Galloping to the rescue. NW volunteers among those saving animals:  Owner of Arizona Rescue Ranch has found both dogs and horses, malnourished and emaciated, roaming desert. Gets calls from people who find horses abandoned on ranches. Tending between 15-25 horses.
12/20/09 Florida:  Horse rescue group needs help to care for horse:  Owner unemployed and unable to feed animal. Donations needed for rehabilitation. Since 2005, rescue group has worked 118 cases involving 487 horses.    (photo)
12/18/09 North Dakota:  Bismarck woman lobbies for animals:  Won the “There Oughta Be a Law” contest sponsored by the Humane Society Legislative Fund. Her idea: Give everybody a tax break or tax credit if they spay or neuter their pets.
12/17/09 Pennsylvania:  Hungry horses rescued from West Philly "stables": Caretaker just stopped showing up.  (video)
12/17/09 Washington:  Bainbridge woman removes horses from yard:  Forced to remove two horses she was keeping in backyard, violating ordinance that requires at least an acre of land for each horse.
12/17/09 Connecticut:  Animals seized from North Haven farm (with warrant):   Criminal investigation began Oct. 2008, after complaint about welfare and condition of animals.
12/17/09 ABC News:  Horse neglect: on the rise? Closing of slaughterhouses, economy blamed for growing problem:  HSUS says economic climate and hay prices causing neglect. Others say closing of slaughterhouses in 2007, after Congress cut funding for USDA inspections. Omaha metro area usually receives one or two horses every couple years. Has taken in 30 the past two years. Fillmore Co. spent $30,000 on care of 35 horses.  (video)
12/17/09 North Dakota:  Students help (Central Dakota) Humane Society:
Third-graders delivered $350 worth of donations to Central Dakota Humane Society. Money raised by donating what would have gone to classroom gift exchange.
12/17/09 Georgia:  Soccer great now devoted to rescuing abused horses:  Flood damages force soccer great to auction off memorabilia to pay for $50,000 repairs at rescue.
12/17/09 Connecticut:  State seizes animals, cites neglect. Officials say they discovered a lack of care; owner denies claims:  14 horses, 3 mules, 2 ponies seized from stable where state officials found neglect and poor conditions. State agriculture commissioner said animals in poor health and lacking veterinary care.  (video)
12/17/09 Maine:  Neglect suspected in deaths of horses. Of 15 horses boarded at a Waldoboro farm, only eight survive, police say. No one has been charged: Property owner allowed horse owner to board animals, became concerned. Animal control officer and police found one horse dead in stall, second dying horse euthanized, third treated at animal clinic died. County shelter trying to find people to take surviving horses permanently.
12/17/09 Washington:  Judge asked to block wild horse roundup:  Animal protection group asked federal judge to block round up of wild horses from a Nevada range.
12/16/09 Florida:  13 Underweight horses abandoned In Marion Co.:  County Animal Services took custody of 13 thoroughbred horses after owner abandoned them and failed to provide adequate care.     (photos)
12/16/09 Washington:  'Feed bank' opens for struggling horse owners: Horse Harbor Foundation estimates 200 to 300 horses in Kitsap Co. need care, at risk of malnutrition or starvation. People forced to give horses away or have them seized. Continuing recession forcing many horse owners to choose between feeding animals and feeding families.   (video)
12/16/09 Kansas:  Topekan called to help out a horse rescue in Tennessee:  20 horses found dead on a farm; 84 near death.   (video)
12/16/09 Pennsylvania:  Emaciated horses found in W. Philadelphia:  SPCA caring for four emaciated horses. Investigators called makeshift, unlicensed shelter an "animal cruelty scandal."  Owner moved onto abandoned lot with horses, vanished, abandoning horses.  (video)
12/16/09 Kentucky:  Rescue team says starving horses were on public official's property:  Rescue team claims public official had dozens of starved horses on property. Horses missing when reporter went to investigate. Magistrate says he was trying to nurse horses back to health after getting them from sale barn, has since taken them back.  (video)  (photos)
12/16/09 Virginia:  Caroline man guilty of cruelty to horses:  Man convicted of seven counts of animal cruelty. Animal Control warned him about animals. Necropsy of one horse revealed bone-marrow fat content of 1.9 percent. Healthy horse usually 60 to 90 percent.
12/15/09 Maine:  Waldoboro police confirm seven horses dead in possible neglect case:  Police have launched investigation into death of seven horses, eight are still alive. Property owner, who lent it out thinking that would be a good thing, alerted authorities something was wrong.
12/15/09 Ohio:  Neglected horses get second chance:  Indian Hill woman says owning a horse can cost more than $1,000 a month created equine welfare fund that gives grants to shelters and rescue/adoption facilities. Says there are more horses in need than donations.
12/14/09 New Mexico:  Horses abandoned amid tough economy:  Horses have become silent victims of economy as owners can't afford the cost of care. Donations at rescue shelters have plummeted. Animal Protection of New Mexico launching fundraising campaign to help horse rescues. (video)    (photo)
12/4/09 California:  Starving horses abandoned on River Road; part of a growing trend. SPCA investigating case of emaciated animalsSPCA offering reward for information on who left three horses in field. Agency director said they used to receive about five horses a year. Took in 28 in 2008; 26 so far this year that were either abandoned or turned over by owners. People abandoning horse during the night..
12/14/09 South Carolina:  Neglected horses find homes:  Florence Area Humane Society has found homes for six of seven underfed horses seized in May. One horse continues to recover.
12/14/09 Florida:  Neglected horses recovering:  Seven horses recovering at Marion County Animal Services; three others euthanized. Officials alerted to situation by complaint of multiple skinny horses and possible dead horse.   (photo)
12/14/09 Nevada:  BLM approves Nevada wild horse roundup:  BLM approved removal of 2,500 wild horses from range near Reno. Federal judge to hear arguments in lawsuit filed to block roundup. BLM says removal needed to bring population numbers down to prevent habitat deterioration. Mustang advocates counter animals are traumatized, injured or killed.
12/13/09 Tennessee:  Sevier County residents concerned about possible horse neglect:  Concerned individual has been feeding horses for three months. Owner surrendered a horse earlier this year and had two horses pass away. County Humane Society says since economy began to decline, it receives more calls about neglected horses than anything else.
12/12/09 Oregon:  Rescued horses regain weight:  Putting weight on two thoroughbreds is goal of Linn County Animal Rescue. About 20 horses call the rescue home, which is seeking both foster and permanent homes for horses, donations and volunteers. (photo)
12/12/09 Illinois: Coles County prosecutor to appeal restitution decision:  More than 70 horses removed from farm in August and September 2007. State's Attorney and owner at odds over amount owed for restitution for care of animals.
12/11/09 New York Times:  Racing association adopts anti-slaughter policy:  New York Racing Association said it would bar any owner or trainer from competing at its racetracks if any of their horses were sold for slaughter. Urged horsemen to support rescue and adoption efforts and to find humane ways of dealing with horses that are unable to continue racing.
12/11/09 Washington:  Kitsap's hungry horses get their own food bank:  Equine rescue and Humane Society of Kitsap County providing “feed bank” for low-income horse owners. Idea to decrease number of unwanted or neglected horses. Rescue founder estimates 200 to 300 horses (in Kitsap) that people need help taking care of. Area has been in a crisis since early 2008. Equine program needs donations.
12/11/09 TheHorse.com:  Seized Tennessee horses improving:  Several of 84 allegedly malnourished horses have gained enough strength to move on to equine rescue facilities.
12/11/09 Michigan:  Equine cost-saving tactics taught: Allegan County veterinarian reported he "put 13 horses down last month alone for no other reason than they were not properly maintained." Horse owners finding it harder to find someone to take their horses.
12/10/09 California:  Horses caught in the housing crunch:  Nikki Branch runs rescue for abandoned and neglected horses. Gets phone calls or emails at least once a day. Currently has 45 equines, situation getting worse. Twenty-one horses up for adoption: some healthy and some  lame. Says latter make perfect backyard pets; kids can hug them.
12/10/09 Washington:  Beau's final days after a life of neglect: 13 weeks of constant care not enough to erase years of neglect. Horse put down due to pain caused by split hooves and years without proper food.
12/10/09 California:  Pop culture main reason Calif has Chihuahua crisis: Experts say pop culture to blame for glut of breed made popular in movies and as celebrity pets. Spikes in California Chihuahua populations probably due to puppy mills and backyard breeders.
12/9/09 Tennessee:  Confiscated horses finding new homes. 96 Animals taken from Cannon County farm in November:  Horses rescued from farm last month will soon have new homes, have spent past couple weeks at Tennessee State Fairgrounds recuperating and gaining weight.   (photos)
12/9/09 Texas:  Horse cruelty cases up in Ector County:  Number of horse cruelty cases since May stands at 22, many left with no food or water.  (video)  (photos)
12/8/09 Rhode Island:  Charge bank with animal neglect? Bank removed personal effects of man who defaulted on loan. Left behind animals at sanctuary for abandoned animals. Animal control and state veterinarian trying to make sure bank aware of responsibility to care for animals. Situation unprecedented in Rhode Island.
12/8/09 Tennessee:  Tennessee lacks resources to fight animal abuse:  40 of 95 Tennessee counties have no government-funded animal control program. Recent Cannon County horse rescue expected to cost $3,000 per animal, for a total of $250,000. HSUS issues plea for donations and donated services.  (video)
12/7/09 Florida:  Martin County foundation sees spike in need to help horses: Barn full with 13 horses; not nearly large enough to accommodate number of horses abandoned during recession. Operates on shoestring budget of $100,000/year, most going toward feeding horses and paying staff. Also has 50 volunteers who help.   (video)
12/7/09 Ohio:  Trumbull County woman arrested on charges of animal cruelty:  Farm Animal Sanctuary took 11 starving horses, a goat, a calf, three chickens and three guinea fowl from woman charged with cruelty to animals. Horses in various stages of malnutrition and starvation.   (photo)
12/7/09 Nevada:  US plan to round up wild horses draws opposition:  Government wants to move as many as 25,000 mustangs to pastures in Midwest and East to ease over population. Relocation part of feud over wild horses in West. BLM spent about $50 million this year to manage wild horses. Mustang herds can double in size about every four years. Celebrities speaking out against plan.
12/5/09 California:  Owner of severely neglected horses may have been located:  Three horses found abandoned in Salinas showed multiple signs of extreme neglect were taken to SPCA. Being treated for heart murmurs due to extreme tick infestation and emaciation.
12/4/09 Utah:  Homes needed for abused, abandoned horses:  Utah Animal Adoption Center has 20 horses. Utah seeing its share of recession animals, some abandoned in desert. Shelter works with horses to make them more social. They are often afraid of humans or have had no formal training. Shelter not the place to get a perfect horse.  (video)  
12/4/09 Florida:  Horses' mouths to feed:  Rescue asked to take in 56 unwanted horses Thanksgiving weekend. Didn't have enough food, enough space, manpower, or supplies and medicines, but took them anyway. Besides 56 new horses, also caring for another 61 at 150-acre farm. Says people calling every day, not able to feed their horses.  (photo)
12/4/09 Florida:  56 Abandoned horses in need of home:  56 horses turned over to adoption agency over Thanksgiving weekend. Non-profit Horse Protection Association, Marion County, has custody of animals and desperately needs food for them and foster families. A few years ago, the thoroughbreds could sell for thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars each. Now they'll be lucky if they can give them away.   (video)
12/4/09 Mississippi:  Santa comes early for neglected horses:  Fence and shelter going up at local humane society. Private stables cannot take animals until tested and treated for parasites and disease. Getting ongoing complaints about people letting horses out to roam, horses getting out of broken fences, starving horses in poor condition.
12/4/09 Illinois:  Seized horses can be adopted:  Six horses seized by Chicago Animal Care have been at sanctuary since April. Sanctuary is seeking $1,800/mo. reimbursement  for board from former owner. Sanctuary has more than 50 horses.
12/3/09 California:  3 horses found abandoned in Salinas:  Horses found abandoned in a pasture, malnourished, dehydrated, and suffering from various diseases and injuries. Monterey County S.P.C.A. offering $1,000 reward for information leading to whoever left them there.  (photos)
12/3/09 Florida:  End-of-life care for unwanted animals: Woman has 57 dogs, 140+ cats, one pig, three sheep, and four horses with costs of $10,000/month. Has been caring for unwanted animals since 1976. Money extraordinarily tight, woman now needs financial help herself; holding fundraiser.  (video)
12/2/09 Tennessee:  Knoxville non-profit to help abused horses found in Cannon Co.Strongest 15 horses from among 84 confiscated in Cannon Co. will make trip to Knoxville rescue. To make room for new horses, asking for foster homes for current horses.   (video)
12/2/09 Florida:  Deputies build impound lot for livestock:  Sheriff's Office spent $9,000 to built livestock impound lot. Abused or abandoned horses, cows and other livestock  will be kept there. Has relied on good will of farmers and ranchers to care for such animals.
12/2/09 Ohio:  Long road to recovery. Woman tending to animals taken from Braceville farmHorses wear blankets for warmth at night; being fed specialized diet. One at OSU, prognosis hopeful but guarded.   (photo)   (video)
12/1/09 Oregon:  Pet Talk: Vet halts horses' suffering when owners can't:  Nonprofit group established by veterinarian for horse owners in need, offers free euthanasia clinics. Not meant as a way out for those who can't afford hay, but for ill and suffering animals. Vet paid $2,500 out of own pocket to put on first clinic.
12/1/09 Texas:  Horse-neglect cases spike in Houston area:  Houston SPCA is expecting number of horses coming into facility to double. Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, a statewide rescue network, say workload increased by 1,000 percent this year (video)
12/1/09 Mississippi:  County officer hits horse:  Bolivar County deputy struck a 1,000-pound horse while responding to a domestic violence emergency.  (photo)
12/1/09 Tennessee:  Rescued horses continue to improve, additional charges likely:  County officials estimate it will cost more than $250,000 to give animals proper care needed.
12/1/09 Ohio:  Horses rescued in northern Kentucky, Part 2:  Rescue spokesperson says horse dying in fields every day in Kentucky. Feeding rescued bunch of horses costs about $150 a day.  (video)
12/1/09 Ohio:  Horses rescued in northern Kentucky, Part 1:  Discovery in rural Kentucky of 11 dead horses and 48 others emaciated. Private and county funds spent to rehabilitate animals.  (video)

~ November Unemployment 10% ~

11/30/09 Washington: Dumped horse carcass may reflect wider problem. Rancher: Disposal costs up, few options:  Stench of carcass lead rancher to discover horse dumped on his property, along road leading to state Dept. of Natural Resource lands.
11/30/09 Nevada Photo Posting:  Palomino mini tied to tree and left to die
11/30/09 Illinois: McHenry Co. woman pleads guilty in horse neglect case: Accused of neglecting more than a dozen horses, causing one to die from malnutrition, sentenced to two years probation after admitting guilt to violating an animal owner's duty.
11/29/09 Ohio:  Ravenna: Emaciated horses rescued from farm:  Volunteers with farm animal sanctuary removed 11 horses from farm that formerly advertised itself as an animal rescue.  (video)
11/27/09 Tennessee:  Classification makes horse cruelty misdemeanor. Attempts to make a felony fall short of full house vote:  84 horses seized in the biggest horse cruelty case in Tennessee history continuing to improve.  (photos)   (video)
11/26/09 Oregon:  A home for Huckleberry: Oregon teen wins abandoned horse in Baker City drawing:  Huckleberry and five other young horses were abandoned last April in mountains. Sheriff got wind of young horses running loose with nothing to eat; arranged for rescue. No more than eight weeks old when rescued.
11/25/09 Maine: Helping horses, one bale of hay at a time. A New Gloucester equine rescue center is asking the public for help as need for its services grows: Equine rescue has 10 days of hay for 15 horses. Donations/grants down, referrals up. Co-founders dipped into retirement, asked friends for help, now appealing to community to cover  costs of $3,500/year/horse, not including farrier, vet. Similar problems across state.
11/25/09 Oklahoma:  Neglected horses' fate in limbo:  Deputies found two horses dead; eight underweight. Owner of property does not own horses.
11/25/09 Tennessee:  Horse abuse in Cannon County–84 horses taken in investigation:  Horses seized by sheriff’s department due to signs of neglect and poor health. Many extremely emaciated and suffering variety of ailments including overgrown, infected hooves and parasite infestation. Several dead horses found.
11/24/09 Tennessee:  96 Starved animals seized in Cannon Co. Horses, hens, goats relocated to Nashville:  One of biggest horse cruelty seizures in middle Tennessee history. State fairgrounds will serve as an emergency shelter. (photo)
11/23/09 Michigan:  Workshop offered on keeping horses in tough economy Numerous reports of horses becoming financial burden as result of economy. Michigan State University Extension presenting “Equinomics—Keeping Horses in Challenging Economic Times. Neglected horses can become criminal matter and expense for county if  tconfiscated.
11/23/09 Connecticut:  Horse auction for animal abuse fund. Conn. nets more than $10K in horse auction:  Animals seized by authorities investigating cruelty and neglect cases. Have been cared for at large animal rescue barn at Gates Correctional Facility in Niantic.
11/22/09 Maryland:  Good homes hard to find for unwanted horse:  Two facilities caring for nearly 100 horses are dependent on charitable giving. Donations way down past two years with up tick in demand for services.
11/20/09 California:  Leading horses to good health is Temecula group’s goal: Sanctuary established to rescue horses. Villa Chardonnay cares for nearly 20 once-abandoned horses. Number continues to grow and needs multiply. Fund-raising initiated to build additional shelters and provide veterinary care and basic needs. Solely supported by two founders.
11/20/09 Oregon:  NB woman gets maximum probation sentence for horse abuse, neglect:  After lengthy investigation and trial, woman sentenced to 60 months probation after being found guilty of abusing and neglecting horses. Judge ordered her to make payments.
11/19/09 Illinois:  Charleston landowner won't have to pay fines on second set of horses seized in Coles County:  County had argued owner should pay county an additional $68,000 for horses taken in second seizure. Court said $14,000 for first horses was maximum; horses removed later were taken illegally.
11/18/09 Texas:  Sick and dying horses' miraculous recovery:  Sheriff's office and Habitat for Horses seized 24 malnourished and dying horses. Six euthanized at scene; four more died as result of emaciation (video)    
11/17/09 Florida:  Horse rescue groups overwhelmed:  Equine vet says not enough rescue groups, "an overwhelming number of unwanted horses that need homes." Six horses seized by Hernando County since end of October; survivors have long road to recovery. Equine rescue groups overwhelmed with pleas for help; getting worse every day.   (video)
11/16/09 Nevada:  Advocates resort to courtsWild horse advocates say no recourse but courts after federal land managers rejected request for moratorium on mustang roundups. Coalition opposes Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's proposal to move thousands of animals to preserves in Midwest and East to protect herds and rangelands.
11/16/09 Florida:  PAWS struggles to deal with unwanted horses. The malnourished horse has recovered at a local farm, but PAWS has her back after someone tried to sell her:  By terms of agreement, horses not to be sold. Rescue seeing sharp increase in number of horse neglect or abandonment reports. Agency also has horse owners turning animals over because cost of care overwhelming.
11/15/09 Oregon:  Group offers free euthanasia for unwanted horses. Service offered for those who can't afford to care for unwanted equines:  Offered for non-adoptable horses. Organizer says not enough resources to take care of unwanted horses. Veterinarian notes euthanizations on rise at practice: 74 in 2006; 121 so far this year. 
11/15/09 Washington:  Emaciated horses found abandoned in woods:  Man on hunting trip finds five cold, injured and emaciated horses abandoned in woods. One euthanized, others recovering.   (video)  (photo)
11/14/09 Colorado:  Horse left abandoned near Rulison survives gunshot to head:  Sheriff’s department investigating animal cruelty case in which someone shot a horse in the head and abandoned it. Appeared horse was unloaded and shot; left a half-mile blood trail.
11/13/09 Colorado:  Vet: Horse expected to survive gunshot wound:  Well groomed; not branded. Suspect someone tried to put it down but botched the job.  (photo)
11/13/09 Ohio:  Neglected horses get second chance:  Created in 2000, Brennan Equine Welfare Fund gives grants to shelters and rescue/adoption facilities that care for neglected or mistreated horses. More horses in need than there are donations.
11/13/09 TheHorse.com:  Readers express concerns about future of equine industry:  More than 1,220 readers of TheHorse.com responded to poll asking, "What are you most worried about for the future in the equine industry?" Number 1 response (706 respondents; 57.63%) said: Unwanted horses. Number 2 (51.43%; 630): Rising costs of owning horses.
11/13/09 California:  Horse sanctuary comes to Temecula Valley wine country: Equine sanctuary established to rescue neglected equines. Ten-acre site, currently cares for nearly 20 once-abandoned horses.
11/13/09 Florida:  Ailing horses seized from Hernando County ranch:  County removed six malnourished horses from residence that billed itself as horse rescue and adoption facility. Apparently operated mostly on donations and money earned from adoption fees, however no longer financially able to support animals and being evicted.  (photo)
11/12/09 Florida:  Two emaciated horses in Brooksville put down, others being examined:  Owner said he may have gotten in over head financially; being evicted from property where he lived with horses. (photo)
11/12/09 Florida:  Emaciated horses confiscated in Hernando County:  Investigators removed nine horses from rescue; two in such bad shape they were euthanized. Website says rescue cares for unwanted and abused horses, but investigators say animals emaciated, not being taken care of.  (photo)
11/12/09 Oregon:  Homes sought for rescued horses:  Animals seized due to starvation and neglect. Past four months, 26 horses in foster care undergoing treatment and rehab. (photos)
11/11/09  Maryland:  Seized horses now at Howard County farm:  For health reasons, they  are being kept away from 62 other horses on farm. In similar cases, horses usually remain at farm for three months or more.   (video)
11/9/09 Wisconsin:  Struggling to bring hope to abandoned horses:  Rescues running out of room. This time of year "dumping season." Janestown rescue took down sign because horses were being left without permission. Last year rescue had 27 horses, now have 60. Last year it cost around $300,000 to run facility. Owner expects that to triple this year. (video)
11/9/09 Nebraska:  The cost of compassion: horse neglect:  When last US horse slaughterhouses closed, animal advocates applauded move as humane. Recent neglect cases across Nebraska have some questioning whether outlawing slaughter was prudent. In five months, Fillmore County spent more than $20,000 caring for seized horses. (video)
11/8/09 Pennsylvania:  Seven horses seized from farm:  Six adults and foal taken from elderly couple who dispute they were neglected. Animals will be quarantined for 30 day and placed under veterinarian's care; rescue will attempt to find homes for animals after rehabilitation.
11/7/09 Pennsylvania:  7 Horses removed from Greene County farm. Animal experts say confiscated horses are malnourished:  Animals held in quarantine, will be put up for adoption or into foster homes. Owner disputes they were underfed. (photo)
11/7/09 Mississippi:  Rescued horses in silent auction today Almost 50 horses for sale as attractions of first Operation Mississippi Horses, joint program of horse rescue groups from across state. Event gives potential horse owners chance to walk through stalls; read stories about horses. $400 minimum bid. Money will be funneled back into horse rescue operations.
11/7/09 Illinois:  SPOTLIGHT: Rescued horses find a forever home:  Rescuing animal from life of misery can be easy part. Finding a safe permanent home can be greater challenge. Shelter shouldering much of $11,000 veterinary bill for two horses.
11/7/09 Nebraska:  Horses seized by Humane Society:  Investigation ongoing by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office as to whether horses were neglected. The four appeared emaciated; hadn’t received proper veterinary care.
11/6/09 North Carolina:  Owner of seized horses ordered to help pay costs: Woman ordered to help Cumberland County pay for boarding horses while she awaits trial on animal cruelty charges. County paying $5,901/mo to keep horses.
11/06/09 DakotaFarmer.com:  Horse Market Collapses. No sales and negative sales are common in the Dakotas in the wake of U.S. slaughter plant closings: Colts bringing as little as $10-$50 each. Working horses selling for about half of what they used to. Older horses sometimes don't sell at all. Owners can end up in hole after paying auction fees.
11/5/09 Oklahoma:  Rebuilding spirit in Guthrie's ailing horses:  35 abused, neglected and abandoned horses at facility. Rescue says horse dumping a big problem.  (photos)
11/4/09 TheHorse.com:  Colorado Horse Rescue, Days End join unwanted horse group: Number of unwanted horses still at discouraging level. Days End has 20 years experience with abused and neglected equines.
11/3/09 Texas:  Woman charged with neglecting horses sentenced to jail:  Charges stem from rescue of 57 horses. Also ordered to pay horse rescues for expenses incurred
11/3/09 Oregon:  Shelley Wilder found guilty in horse neglect case:  Two horses found suffering from wounds, in addition to be emaciated.
11/3/09 Washington:  Sultan woman charged with neglecting horsesFacing five counts of first-degree animal cruelty for neglecting at least 10 horses.
11/2/09 Texas:  Liberty County horses awarded to Houston SPCA:  To save horse, it must undergo surgery estimated at $2,500. Repairs to feet, with farrier bills estimated at $8,000 a year.  (photo)
11/2/09   Cumberland County to auction off seized horses:  County seized pasture horses about a month ago, costing about $200/wk to feed. County cannot afford much longer
11/2/09 South Carolina:  Adoptions on hold again. Bible camp owner files another legal challenge to animal cruelty charges:  County has spent more than $50,000 taking care of confiscated horses, including 14 stallions.

~ October Unemployment 10.2% ~

10/31/09 Oklahoma:  Helping Oklahoma animals takes teaching:  Myth that farm animals can be left alone in pastures to forage for themselves.
10/31/09 California:  Two abandoned horses find home at sanctuary:  San Diego County Department of Animal Services placed animals at rescue after they were declared abandoned. Nonprofit sanctuary relies on volunteers to care for about two dozen equines. 
10/28/09 Missouri:  Bob Barker donates $1 million to Drury for animal rights professorship:  New professorship to Patricia McEachern, a French professor, who will work full time to develop the nation's first undergraduate program in animal rights.
10/27/09 TheHorse.com:  Government to study unwanted horse issues: Government Accountability Office to examine how horse processing plant closures have affected equine welfare. Ordered by U.S. Senate Appropriations' Committee; due March 2010.
10/27/09 Virginia:   Horse to be in Hanover sheriff’s office auction Nov. 4:  2-year-old colt up for grabs. Owner behind on bills, trainer can no longer care for animal for free.
10/27/09 Montana:  Rolling Dog Ranch to receive ASPCA award:  Henry Bergh Award to Steve Smith and Alayne Marker. Couple founded 160-acre ranch nine years ago.
10/27/09 Alabama:  County Commission OKs measure on some rescued animals:  Farm animals recovered after drug bust, including two horses, caused county commission to revise way it handles rescued animals. Shelter not designed for large animals.
10/26/09 Pennsylvania:  Officials await veterinary report; no charges in alleged mistreatment of horsesFour horses now at rescue farm in Cochranton; being treated for anemia and parasites. At least two have injuries. All quarantined for rhinovirus infection.
10/26/09 New York:  A home for the sanctuary:  Sanctuary nearly at capacity for farm species. Waiting list of animals to come to sanctuary. Need for adoptive homes greater than ever.
10/26/09 Connecticut:  Branchville estate is animals' paradise:  20-acre property home to 140 animals. Owners devoted their wealth and property to tending to abused and abandoned animals, providing permanent home. Staff of seven maintains sanctuary.
10/26/09 TheHorse.com/Texas:  Seized Texas horses returned to owner:  JP orders SPCA to return 30 horses to owner; ordered owner to pay SPCA $12,000 for care.
10/25/09 North Dakota:  Horse group claims it owns Nokota name, but another one says ‘Neigh!’:  Two groups claim trademark, at odds over horses within national park.
10/25/09 Louisiana:  Abused horses that were seized, to be sold:  According to sheriff, two horses seized from Frierson area will be sold if no bond is posted against the animals.
10/25/09 Oregon:  Horses find home in Forest Grove:  Two horses seized in March have been adopted by family that formerly leased horses. Decided time was right to become horse owners since moving to place that has pasture. Thoroughly enjoying being horse people.
10/25/09 North Dakota:  Local man still hospitalized after wild-horse auction:  Man injured during sale expected to be released from hospital tomorrow.
10/25/09 North Dakota:  Groups in legal dispute over horse breed:  Two groups tangled in legal dispute over rights to Nokota name.
10/24/09 North Dakota:  Wild horse takes a flying leap:  Horse named Bashful  nearly jumped out of sales ring into auction arena.
10/24/09 North Dakota:  Issues arise with TRNP wild horses at auction:  One horse tried to jump a fence, one escaped during loading, one died after being loaded.
10/23/09 Tennessee:  Horses’ lives hang in the balance after suspected neglect:  Animal health and welfare officer received calls regarding horses that were allegedly dumped behind a home with field of weeds to graze and mud puddle serving as water source.  (photo)
10/23/09 Wyoming:  Roundup of wild horses approved:  Fifteenmile Herd Management Area approved for roundup to bring wild horse numbers down to acceptable levels. Plans involves capturing 280 horses; returning about 70 mature animals; removing remainder.
10/22/09 North Dakota:  Wild horse roundup `Went perfectly':  85 horses released back into park; approximately same number will be sold at auction. First time park horses given contraceptive vaccine to limit herd growth.
10/22/09 Florida:  Hernando nonprofit animal sanctuary suffers fiscal woes:  Animal Services supervisor reported horses weakened from severe malnutrition struggling to stand. Animal Services director says rescue overwhelmed, struggling financially, consistently failed to provide adequate care for animals.
10/22/09 Florida:  Abandoned horse in Gadsden County euthanized after condition deteriorates:  Horse abandoned at  Gadsden County Animal Shelter euthanized after it was found on its side.
10/21/09 Oregon:  Rescued horses now have new home:  Family adopts pair of horses found in emaciated; one with large growth on leg. Owners charged with animal neglect.
10/21/09 Mississippi:  Horses seized in alleged abuse case:  Case of alleged animal abuse in Lauderdale County has led to seizure of horses.   (video)
10/21/09 Wyoming:  Film on mustangs will air this weekend:  Pryor Mountain wild horses featured in Ginger Kathrens film premiering on PBS.
10/21/09 North Dakota:  'Nokota' title causes dispute:  U.S. District Judge has issued temporary restraining order blocking Nokota Horse Association, Inc. from registering or promoting park horses as “Nokota.”
10/21/09 North Dakota:  Wild horses still coming in at park:  Roundup proceeding well, no injuries to horses. Park staff hopes to have all 165 horses to chutes by end of day.
10/20/09 Arkansas:  Group works to rehabilitate seized animals:  Colt diagnosed by vet as having severely stunted growth from malnutrition, has long road ahead of him.
10/20/09 Wyoming:  BLM gathers mustangs in Wyoming: 192 wild horses in McCullough Peaks herd gathered. 94 up for adoption. Remainder returned to range.
10/20/09 Montana:  Plan to put horses on ranch comes under fire:  Concerns expressed about BLM plan to put as many as 1,500 wild horses on ranch within Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Natural Resources Conservation Service data suggests ranch can support maximum of 375 horses during seven-month growing season.
10/20/09 North Dakota:  Wild horses get pregnancy check:  First time contraceptive being used to hold down herd numbers.  (video)
10/19/09 North Dakota:  Horse roundup begins:  Feral horse roundup in Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit started. Park officials and animal experts plan to round up 165 head, reducing herd to about 70 to 75 animals.
10/19/09 Virginia:  Horse rescue operation saves hundreds:  During 20 years, Equine Rescue League has rescued and placed hundreds of horses, relying solely on charitable contributions for support. Currently has 22 available for adoption.
10/19/09 Utah:  Southern Utah animal groups caring for ailing, abandoned horse; public input sought on a name:  Horse found abandoned on Old Highway 91. Several rescue groups have joined to nurse horse back to health, none equipped to rescue a horse.
10/17/09 Nevada:  Wild horse defenders criticize plan to manage mustangs, urge removal of cattle in West. Wild horse plan rekindles cattle grazing debate:  Horse defenders working to save romantic symbol of American West unhappy with proposal to move mustangs to preserves in Midwest and East. They want livestock removed to make room for mustangs. BLM spokesman says livestock grazing is an authorized use of the lands..
10/17/09 TheNewYorkTimes.com:  New homes and new hope for some neglected horses:  Agency has spent $82,000 treating, feeding and finding homes for 96 head of horses from Paragallo farm.  (photos)
10/16/09 New York Times: Before you know it, they’ll be on the subway:  Deer driven out of much of Manhattan by deforestation during Revolutionary era returning to city over last 15 years. Deer migrate toward food as they “eat themselves out of habitat upstate,” says naturalist for parks department. They could harm the ecosystem.
10/16/09 New York Times:  Culls expand as the deer chomp away:  Deer suburban scourge: eating flowers, stripping brush, hitting or being struck by cars, putting people at risk of Lyme disease. Bowhunters and sharpshooters to cull herds. Conservationists running up against animal rights advocates who feel killing deer offensive. New Jersey officials say culling works, an effective way to shrink deer population and revive forest undergrowth.
10/16/09 California:  Neglected horses to be adopted by nonprofit:  According to San Diego County Department of Animals Services, two neglected horses found abandoned in East County will be adopted by nonprofit equine shelter.
10/16/09 Oklahoma:  Two injured in collision with runaway horses on Tulsa highway:  Police say 20 to 30 horses got loose from pasture and wandered onto highway in early morning. Before police could close highway, two vehicles struck horses.  (photo)  (video)
10/16/09 Wyoming:  County seizes 4 neglected horses:  Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office seized four horses left neglected in corrals. Patrol deputies, animal control officers, and a county range officer collected horses and transported them to care facility.
10/16/09 Wyoming:  BLM begins another horse roundup:  Plans for removing 115 animals and returning 85 to range. Some mares will be given birth control treatment in attempt to slow herd growth. Wild horse advocates calling on BLM to reduce number of horses culled.
10/16/09 Florida:  Local equine business owners arrested on horse cruelty charges:  Two arrested on animal cruelty charges after starving horses found on property, face charges of confinement of animals without sufficient food or water. Nine horses transported; one euthanized by veterinarian. Donations sought for care.  (photo) (more photos)
10/16/09 TheHorse.com:  New Hampshire equine rescue gets help from new reality TV show:  Show provides renovation worth $30,000. E.P.O.N.A. home to 14 horses rescued from slaughter, euthanasia, foreclosure, or abuse. 
10/15/09 Indiana:  Shadarobah - bringing a better future to abused and neglected horses: Since September 2008, 55 horses nursed back to health. Currently has ten horses up for adoption; housing 28. Donations and volunteers sought. (photos)
10/14/09 Illinois:  Mac the horse, feared to be abandoned, has a home for now:  Found by police responding to traffic stop.   (photos)
10/14/09 Illinois:  State seeks more money from owner convicted in horse abuse case:  Judge initially ruled owner to pay $14,000 in expenses for care of 14 animals. State's Attorney asking for $68,000 because more horses were seized later for total of more than 70 head. Legality of seizures questioned.
10/14/09 Texas:  Owner awaits horse decision:  Sheriff’s office called to pasture after motorist noticed dead horse. 22 other animals alive but weak and malnourished.  (photo)
10/14/09 Montana:  Horse slaughter making headlines again:  State representative Ed Butcher continues to move forward with agenda, courting foreign markets.   (video)
10/14/09 South Dakota:  Horses seized from farm near Spencer:  McCook County Sheriff’s Office assisted with seizure of 12 horses now housed at rescue in Sioux Falls.
10/14/09 Montana:  Sponsor of Montana horse slaughter law seeks investor: Sponsor of state law that aims to promote construction of horse slaughter plant said he's courting Chinese investors. Hardin, Conrad and Wolf Point have expressed interest in hosting a plant.
10/14/09 Montana:  Ballantine dog breeder gets help from volunteers. Kapsa complies; animals in foster homes:  Volunteers removed a goat, four horses and more than a dozen dogs. Animals in foster homes; could stay there indefinitely.
10/13/09 Massachusetts:  Blue Hills Riding Center closes; Record number of horses at MSCPA:  Organization hosting record number: 59 surrendered so far this year.
10/13/09 Oregon:  Horse neglect in Central Oregon proves costly:  Sheriff's offices in Jefferson and Crook counties say horse welfare calls in increasing. Costs and follow-up challenging.Prefer to develop work plan with horse owner and check on animals later.
10/13/09 Florida:  Gadsden officials investigating sickly mare:  Officials investigating condition and ownership of horse abandoned at county animal shelter.
10/13/09 Texas:  Adopt a horse, of course:  Since January, 92 horses rescued by Four Winds, all result of sheriffs’ department interventions. Some, not all, attributed to economic factors. Foster homes always needed.
10/12/09 Florida:  Gadsden County residents furious over abandoned malnourished horse UPDATE. Malnourished horse shows up anonymously at Gadsden County animal shelter. Folks in the area questioning commissioner's involvement.   (video)
10/12/09 BrownfieldAgNews.com:  Experts advise those left with unwanted horses:  Two experts weighed in on University of Illinois Extension teleconference to discuss humane and legal issues surrounding abandoned horse issue.   (audio)
10/12/09 New Jersey:  Mylestone Equine Rescue open house in Pohatcong Township draws large crowd despite dropping donations due to economy:  Farm has 33 horses, more than usual. Receiving "record number" of calls for assistance. People losing homes and farms, horses kept in backyards sometimes end up getting abandoned.
10/11/09 Nebraska:  Thayer County drops neglect charges in horse case:  Court to dismiss two counts of abandonment or cruel neglect of animals involving 38 horses found severely malnourished and near death..
10/11/09 Oregon:  Jury: NB woman is guilty of horse abuse:  Jury found woman guilty on one count of first-degree animal abuse and 10 counts of second-degree animal neglect in connection with abuse of Tennessee Walkers.
10/11/09 TheHorse.com:  Horse rescues prepare for long winter ahead:  Calls from owners needing help spike in fall. Numbers exceptionally high this year. Rescue fears they will be overwhelmed by winter influx. NorCal Rescue getting 10 phone calls/day; expect it to get worse. Maryland rescue closing, exhausted personal resources caring for horses seized by authorities.
10/11/09 ThePoliceNews.Net / Texas:  More horses seized in Montgomery County:  JP signed warrant to remove five animals. Investigation indicated animals' owners had gone out of town and arranged from someone to care for animals. That person failed to do so.
10/10/09 Nevada: Elko County Commissioners oppose wild horse refuge: Commissioners reaffirmed opposition to proposed wild horse refuge at Winecup-Gamble Ranch; voted 4-1 to send letter to Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign and Interior Department opposing ranch's proposal to accept thousands of mustangs.
10/10/09 North Dakota:  Downturn in the horse market:  Closure of horse-slaughter plants in U.S. and longest recession since World War II combine to create glut in horse market. Sales yard manager notes prices down nearly 50 percent from two years ago. This year's colts worth between $0-$50. Older horses that went for $400-$500 now between $150-$200.
10/10/09 Oregon:  Jury: NB woman is guilty of horse abuse:  Guilty of first-degree animal abuse and 10 counts of second-degree animal neglect. Defense attorney admitted he wasn't surprised by outcome, considering photographic evidence, witness testimony,  veterinarians, law enforcement, animal control officers and those who cared for horses.
10/9/09 Oregon:  Jury weighs horse abuse case:  Owner says she jumped through every hoop presented by animal control. Vet and deputy testified she didn’t provide minimal care.
10/9/09 Virginia:  Update: Albemarle County Police seize malnourished Keswick horses:  Police confirm that animalcControl seized two malnourished horses. Animals recovering at a rescue shelter in Richmond.  (photo)
10/09/09 Montana:  State Web site lists found livestock:  Officials say new system and changes in law could save agency $6,000 annually. With horse abandonment on the increase, costs of boarding animals and publishing notices was quickly adding up.
10/09/09 Texas:  SPCA of Texas awarded custody of five starving horses:  Judge awards custody of five starving horses to SPCA at custody hearing. Restitution in the amount of $3,134 awarded to SPCA.
10/9/09 ThePoliceNews.Net / Texas:  Judge rules in case of neglected horsesJustice of  Peace awarded two horses to SPCA. Owner ordered to pay $8,035 for care from time of their seizure until court date.
10/08/09 Texas:  Jim Wells couple loses custody of seized animals:  Thirty five malnourished horses, pigs, chickens, dogs, and cats in state custody after being seized. Investigators found emaciated horses that could barely stand and carcass of dead horse.
10/8/09 Arizona:  'Hunks' help out horse-rescue group:  Sale of "Hunks & Horses" calendar benefits horse rescue facility caring for abused, neglected and abandoned horses.
10/8/09 Oregon:  Horses' care in question:  Horse facing abuse and neglect charges after  deputies and animal control officers seized nine underweight Tennessee Walking Horses.
10/8/09 Florida:  Neighbors worry about animals that were left behind:  Owner packed up and moved out of state, leaving behind seven horses and a goat. (video)
10/7/09 Oregon:  Molalla: Horse in neglect case in need of new home:  Seeking home for horse seized in December 2008 animal neglect case. Needs patient owner. Not ideal for child. Would be content as pasture horse. Does not interact well with other geldings.
10/7/09 Washington, D.C.:  Mustangs would go to areas in Midwest, East, interior secretary says. Wild horses may be sent to preserves: Interior Secretary and BLM Director urge Congress to authorize seven wild-horse preserves. Two federally-owned preserves would cost about $92 million to buy and build.
10/6/09 USAToday:  South Florida sees rise in illegal horse meat market:  Selling and eating horse meat legal in many states. Steal horses and slaughtering them improperly is not.
10/6/09 Kansas:  Mystery horse turns up at stable:  Family looking for owner of horse that showed up in stable, hopes he/she comes forward and claims it.  (video)
10/6/09 Nebraska:  Neb. lawmakers hear of need for horse disposal:  State lawmakers told of growing need for low-cost disposal of unwanted horses in state, given  restrictions against horse slaughter. State Sen. Russ Karpisek said legislation will be introduced that would allow authorities to act faster in confiscating neglected horses.
10/03/09 Indiana:  Fundraiser to aid 38 rescued horses:  37 neglected, starving horses confiscated by Adams County Sheriff’s Department in August. Expenses for care exceeds $10,000. County seeking people willing to foster the horses until case is resolved.
10/03/09 Louisiana:  More charges: Pineville man facing animal cruelty, bad check charges:  Initially arrested and charged with one count of cruelty to animals, now charged with 13 counts of animal cruelty. Sheriff's office says horses doing better since they were seized. They remain in parish custody; are being cared for at contracted farm.  (photo)
10/2/09 Nebraska:   State lawmakers want to resolve horse dilemma:  State Ag Committee working on solution to increasing numbers of horses in state falling into neglected, unwanted and abandoned categories. Fillmore County dealing with 35 horses confiscated in July. Five have died. Spent nearly $7,500 caring for herd. Heated barn needed for winter for seven.
10/2/09 Michigan:  Michigan horse torture case set for Feb. 1 trial:  Trial for horse owner and employee expected to last two weeks. Animal control seized 69 horses in 2007.
10/2/09 Pennsylvania:  SPCA removes horses from home:  Two malnourished horses confiscated. Owner willingly surrendered them. Another horse and two dogs also deemed in poor condition, but owner extended remainder of weekend to seek medical care for them.
10/1/09 TheHorse.com:  Horse rescues get creative to combat donation recession:  Rescues trying to attract financial support. Most all rescues full; donations are down. With arrival of winter, will see more horses in bad situations needing care.
10/1/09 Colorado:  Weld County woman faces charges involving poor care of horses:  Responsible for horses since her father moved out of state last year, woman arrested on animal-cruelty charges for neglecting horses to the point of starvation. Free on $5,000 bond.
10/1/09 Illinois: Police looking for owners of two neglected horses:  Search for two horses, possibly dumped and showing signs of neglect, ended when one was struck and killed by a car. Animal control trying to locate owner.
10/1/09 West Virginia:  Animal cruelty case dismissed:  Lack of evidence cited as reason. Humane officer found dead horse and another allegedly starving on property.
10/1/09 Colorado:  Horses seized on cruelty case in Weld County:  Sheriff’s deputies and animal control officers responded to report of neglected and starving horses. Three horses found in severe stages of starvation. One horse euthanized prior to deputies arrival, other two examined and scored by a veterinarian at 1.0 and 2.5.
10/1/09 Montana:  BLM eyes land near Ennis for wild horses:  Spanish Q Ranch may become home to 1,500 wild horses. Plan open for public comment calls for transporting horses from BLM land across West to leased pasture.
10/1/09 Wyoming:  Former BLM worker accused of cruelty, property destruction. Man faces charges in horse case:  Former BLM worker facing seven felony and misdemeanor counts in connection with deaths of three horses at holding facility.
October 2009 Western Horseman:  Enough Already. How will breed registries restore balance to an overpopulated horse market?

~ September Unemployment 9.8% ~

9/30/09 Montana:  Obstacles many for horse plant:  State law to encourage construction of horse slaughter plant in Montana takes effect this week. 2006 law prohibits USDA from providing inspection for horse slaughter plants.
9/30/09 Illinois:  Teleconference on abandoned horses set:  Growing problem of abandoned horses focus of informational teleconference co-sponsored by U of Illinois Extension and U of Wisconsin Extension. People facing dilemma of horses being abandoned at boarding facilities, sale barns, riding venues, in countryside and on range.
9/29/09 Pennsylvania:  Starving horses seized from Schuylkill County farm:  State police seized five horses from farm and charged owner with animal cruelty. Witnesses reported emaciated horses, trash and manure-filled stalls. Equine Protection Network caring for horses and is in need of donations to offset cost of extensive medical care, board and feed. Horses will be available for adoption soon    (photo)
9/29/09 Virginia:  Horse found tied to tree in Suffolk euthanized this morning: One of four horses found tied to a tree over weekend euthanized because of its condition. Property owner where animals were found did not own the animals. Surviving animals being cared for by Animal Control.
9/29/09 Wyoming:  BLM employees faces charges in 3 shooting deaths. Arrest made in horse kills:  Authorities unaware of motive for shootings.
9/29/09 Virginia:  Four emaciated horses, pony seized:  Four abandoned horses and a pony seized. When officials arrived, horses were tied to a tree; left with water, but no food. Some of the animals appeared emaciated. Owner located.
9/29/09 Montana:  Last of dogs seized from Ballantine breeder placed in homes:  Dogs seized from breeder last year either placed in permanent or temporary foster homes. Between 70 and 80 in Montana; 225 adopted by people in other states; 55 in temporary foster homes. About 250 volunteers helped with rescue.
9/28/09 Florida:  Horse abandoned on St. Lucie County airport property to be sold:  A 22-year-old horse abandoned, left behind, after 29-acre parcel acquired by airport. Owner moved, unable to find a new home for horse. County agreed to find it a home.
9/27/09 California:  A healing place for horses and people:  Many animals rescued were abused, abandoned, neglected, or on the way to slaughterhouse. Monthly membership of less than $200 entitles family full access to horses on ranch as often as they like. That amount pays monthly cost of feed and basic necessities for one horse.
9/26/09 Wyoming:  Pryor Mountain mustangs sold to the highest bidders: Some horses didn't draw minimum $125 bid, eventually all 57 mustangs were taken. A 19-year-old stallion drew highest bid of $2,500; several others went for more than $1,000. Prices good because of interest in Pryor herd.
9/26/09 North Carolina:  Ride for the Horse to be held Oct 11:  Rescue league took in record number of abused, neglected, and abandoned equines in 2008-2009. Foster homes, long-term adoptive homes, and donations of money or services badly needed to help rescue operations meet growing need
9/26/09 Pennsylvania:  Five horses taken from Orwigsburg property: Four more horses remain on property. Animal cruelty charges pending against owner who has history of neglecting animals. Equine group looking for homes or donations. Have spent over $1,000 for care in the first day. Will cost about $10,000 a month to care for them.
9/26/09 Michigan:  Horse torture case not overAnimal-torture cases back in County Circuit Court after Michigan Supreme Court decided not to hear appeals. Decision means county will not have to pay owner for lost property. County seized 69 horses in 2007, saying conditions were unsafe and unsanitary. Herd grew to more than 80 after foaling season.
9/25/09 Pennsylvania:  Schuylkill horses surrendered due to neglect:  Owner  surrendered five horses that were not being fed properly Vet said one animal probably breaking down muscles in order to survive.
9/25/09 West Virginia:  No search warrant ends starving horse case Animal cruelty case fell apart in court because humane officer did not get a search warrant before seizing a starving horses.  (photo)
9/25/09 Indiana:  5-hour benefit for horses:  Effort to raise money to feed and care for 38 horses seized by court order. Horses housed at fairgrounds will be sent to various places around county, according to plan by county officials. Criminal proceedings continue against owner. Monetary donations accepted
9/25/09 Washington:  King County to end animal control services. King County plans to end animal control services and close shelters in Kent and Bellevue to save money: 32 cities pay $5.6 million/year in fees, $1.5 million short of covering costs. Six-month transition for cities to find new contractor for animal services.
9/25/09 Wyoming:  Prison program provides way for public to adopt gentle horses from BLM. Prisoners, horses learn together:  Many similarities between horses brought from the wild and inmates off the streets. BLM uses prison program to help control Wyoming's wild-horse herds; public gets good deal on an animal.
9/25/09 Montana:  Mustangs big part of Crow lore:  Crow historian sought out for his knowledge of Pryor mustangs.
9/25/09 North Dakota:  TRNP mustangs to be auctioned:  Park rangers plan to remove about 90 young horses from herd. Park considers horses feral; maintains herd as demonstration of  open range era when Theodore Roosevelt and others ran ranches in what is now park.
9/24/09 Arizona:  With HEART, horses get a new start:  Small army of people work at 5-acre rescue, where costs run somewhere between $3,000 and $4,000 per month. That amount does not include medical care or surgery, which can run up to $10,000.
9/24/09 TheHorse.com:  More than 200 Horses Adopted Through TheHorse.com Service:  Launched in November 2008, adoption service is bulletin board where owners can list any Thoroughbred or Standardbred offered for free to a good home. Currently 116 Thoroughbreds and 20 Standardbreds listed.
9/24/09 North Dakota:  Birth control planned for wild horses:  Theodore Roosevelt National Park wild horses to be rounded up next month. About 90 head will be sold at auction. For the first time, about 25 mares will be given a contraceptive, administered by dart gun, to prevent pregnancy. TRNP park has about 165 wild horses. Ideal population is between 60 and 90.
9/23/09 Virginia:  Gloucester animal cruelty trial ends today:  Seven of eight horses seized ranged from very underweight to thin, with just one in acceptable range of weight. Besides a year in jail and $2,500 fine, owner faces estimated bill of $42,000 County will spend boarding and caring for animals. (photo)
9/23/09 Oregon:  Central Point woman pleads guilty to horse abuse. Authorities found one horse dead, and four seriously ill in August 2008:  Remainder of herd survived deplorable conditions.
9/23/09 Illinois:  Carriage drivers guilty of mistreating horses:  Two former carriage convicted them of mistreating their horses. A third driver was acquitted.
9/23/09  Oregon:  Six horses seized from Crescent-area property:  Klamath Humane Society investigators seized six horses Friday; need assistance in getting the emancipated horses back to health. Owner had been urged for weeks to take care of animals. Local Humane Society working with the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office on case.
9/23/09 Oklahoma:  Deputies seize neglected horses:  Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office investigating case of animal cruelty. Deputy reported finding six horses, some in very poor health. Owner released custody to sheriff's office; animals taken to a rescue facility.
9/23/09 Arkansas: Local animal welfare organization seizes 4 horses again from pasture:  Four horses, including a colt whose growth has been severely stunted, seized by sheriff’s deputies and a local animal welfare organization. Second time the horses have been taken from their owners. All four were seized in August 2008; returned to owners by a judge two months later.
9/23/09 MontgomeryCountyPoliceNews.Com / Texas: Starving horses seized: Livestock Officers spent most of the day preparing and seizing two horses that were very thin; in extremely poor health. Owner had been feeding them day-old bread.  (video)
9/23/09 Louisiana:  Malnourished horses seized near Latanier; suspect arrested Owner arrested and charged with animal cruelty.  (photos)
9/22/09 Texas:  SPCA of Texas and Kaufman County Sheriff seize starving horse from property in Kaufman County:  Mare dangerously emaciated and in need of immediate care. Owners not willing to work with law enforcement officials. SPCA of Texas has several horses available for adoption; encourages public to consider adopting a horse. In effort to find homes for horses currently available, offering 50% off adoption fee through Oct. 4
9/22/09 Vermont:  State vet testifies on neglect; horse likely to be euthanized:  Horse among 39 animals allegedly neglected will have to be euthanized, a state veterinarian testified during trial. Bill estimated to be at least $42,000 to care for animals after they were seized. Gloucester County has been paying the bills but is seeking reimbursement.
9/22/09 Louisiana:  Warrant issued for Pineville man after malnourished horses rescued in Rapides Parish:  Pineville man warned in August about conditions his horses were in. Rapides Parish sheriff’s deputies seized 14 horses today.  (photos)
9/22/09 Wyoming:  Wild horses available for adoption:  Wild horses gathered from Muskrat Basin and Dishpan Butte Herd Management Areas near Lander will available for $25 in Rock Springs on Sat., Sept. 26.
9/21/09 Florida:  Collier DAS takes abandoned horse, looks for new home:  Animal control caring for abandoned horse since Sept. 10, when neighbors reported situation. Owner left it behind in April. Neighbors had been taking care of it. (video)
9/21/09 Louisiana:  Six horses seized Owner/alleged offender released horses to sheriff’s department and Livestock Brand Commission. They will be sold at public auction with proceeds used to cover costs of  impoundment, veterinary exams, transportation and care.
9/21/09 Louisiana:  Horses reportedly malnourished in Haughton:  Four horses obviously not being taken care of, according to Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office. Animals will go to public auction.    (video)
9/20/09 California:  Donation to go for new corral for Indio horse rescue group:  Coachella Valley Mounted Rangers will likely use funds to expand horse rescue organization. Organization owns 40 acres; is using 20 acres to house at least 27 horses.
9/19/09   Mulford in a war of words with former horse owners:  Operating what’s known as a retirement farm, 10 horses relatively healthy on adequate pasture, another 10 underfed and suffering from various illnesses, ranging from skin conditions to broken bones. About 20 dead and decomposing horses found on property.
9/19/09 Texas:  Officials seize starving horses:  Oil field pumper reported starving animals among 15 horses on a 50-acre tract. Owner arrested on cruelty to livestock. horses. Confiscated horses being housed at county arena.   (photo)
9/19/09  North Carolina:  Cops charge Buncombe man with cruelty to horses: 
According to documents filed at county magistrate's office, animal control officer first responded in July to investigate report of a neglected horse. After follow up visits, deputies seized three horses and arrested man, charging him with neglecting two horses on property.
9/19/09 Florida:  Animal Services looking for new homes for 2 dozen rescued horses:  When Animal Services removed horses from farm, approximately half were 400 pounds to 500 pounds underweight. Animals now available for adoption. They range in age from 7 months to 19 years.  (photo)
9/18/09 Florida:  Abandoned horse headed to animal shelter:  Collier County has its first abandoned horse, left behind when owners moved.  (video)
9/18/09 Nevada:  Ranch unveils horse refuge plan: Winecup Gamble Ranch Manager will present proposal for wild horse sanctuary to Elko County Commissioners. At Sept. 3 meeting, commission voted against potential sanctuary which would encompass 250,000 acres of private property and 750,000 acres maintained by BLM. Proposal states ranch could initially support between 8,000 and 10,000 horses; if BLM and ranch devoted more resources, sanctuary could support between 15,000 and 17,000 horses.
9/18/09 Indiana:  Rescued horses improve. Foal born at 4-H barn:  Judge approved motion by Adams County to find temporary homes for 38 horses rescued by police last month. Owner charged him with 14 counts of animal cruelty, based on a veterinarian's assessments.
9/18/09 Wisconsin:  Down economy is making things tough on horses, their owners:  Cost of owning horses makes them a luxury. Rescue facilities filling up and struggling to operate on donations. Slaughter plants weren’t a great solution to problem, but were an option.
9/18/09 Wisconsin:  Horse-seizing case continues; sheriff’s deputy files response to latest lawsuit:  Case involving 2003 seizure of a reportedly starving horse has prompted several lawsuits filed on both sides.
9/18/09 New Jersey:  Mylestone Equine Rescue in Phillipsburg to host 10th annual open house:  Rescuing horses from abuse, neglect, and slaughter since 1995. Currently has 33 horses under its care. Adoptions and donations down; receiving a record number of calls from horse owners needing help. In need of public donations to care for unwanted horses and to help struggling horse owners.
9/18/09 California:  Local woman rallies support to save neglected horses: Providing feed and veterinary care to 110 starving horses; assisting with adoption of animals; helping rancher caring for another 20 horses abandoned by owners. Wants to build national support system for equines and owners; has created a network of celebrities and animal welfare support groups. Robert Duvall serves on nonprofit’s board.
9/18/09 Illinois:  Horse abuse case in jury’s hands. Defendant says he wasn’t aware of horses being neglected:  Owner of horses charged with one count of animal cruelty to 10 or more horses; caretaker charged with one count of cruelty to 10 or more animals. The two charged with animal abuse in connection with 16 horses which allegedly did not receive adequate care.
9/16/09 TheHorse.com:  National Wild Horse Adoption Day aims for 1,000 homes:  35 events taking place nationwide Sept. 26. Around 3,700 mustangs found adoptive homes in 2008--2,000 fewer than in 2005.
9/16/09 Florida:  Police: Teen admits to killing horse. Investigation into horse killings continues:  Teen allegedly confessed to killing two horses--out of nearly 20 horses in string of slaughterings since beginning of year.  (video)
9/16/09 Florida:  Seven horses malnourished at Hialeah ranch, SPCA says:  Seven horses rescued from Hialeah ranch after being found malnourished.
9/16/09 South Carolina:  Horse owner loses fight:  Horses seized from Colleton County Bible camp are still up for adoption after another round in court. County Magistrate rejected appeals from former owner to get 47 horses back. County has spent more than $60,000 so far nursing horses back to health; has received about $5,000 in donations.
9/16/09 Wyoming:  Pryor Mountain horses up for adoption:  57 Pryor Mountain wild horses up for adoption Sept. 26 at Britton Springs corrals. Facility open Sept. 25 for viewing and registration. Group of 24 males and 33 females, including three mare-foal pairs, range in age from 0-22 years.
9/15/09 Georgia:  Driver hits horse in Cobb; Police shoot horse:  Police euthanized horse after it was hit by a car. No word on why horse was loose in area. 
9/15/09 Michigan:  History of alleged abuse:  Two men charged with cruelty to animals for not providing adequate care for 16 horse:  sufficient food, water, shelter, sanitary conditions, exercise, and veterinary medical attention. Michigan State Policeinitiated charges after following up on a report of a dead horse. 
9/14/09 Pennsylvania:  Local woman's passion, love saves many horses:  Started non-profit Lucky Star Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation in 1989. Currently has seven horses, four of which are hers and two of which are ready to be adopted. Caring for horses can be very expensive; they often require veterinary attention and have to be fed carefully. She's hoping people who also care about animals would be willing to help out (financially).
9/13/09 Tennessee:  Mustang Alley: Rescue group a haven for abandoned horses. More than 170,000 horses are abandoned each year by their owners:  Refuge/rescue operator also licensed equine cruelty investigator. Has more than 50 acres to work with, even that can’t support demand. Mustang Alley Horse Rescue has more than 20 horses housed on its grounds; spending anywhere from $300 to $450 every two weeks on hay.
9/12/09 Colorado:  Seized horses now belong to state, judge rules:  Judge ruled horses seized by Weld County Sheriff's Office last week now belong to commissioner of the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Ruling comes after deputies seized 23 horses after owner threatened to kill them if he was taken to jail. He faces a 90-day sentence for not cleaning up his property
9/11/09 Washington:  Husband defends horses’ caretaker. His wife is accused of animal cruelty, but Ryan Peterson says she loves her animalsWoman had taken some horses on as rescue animals and was breeding others for sale. One euthanized by veterinarians in June. Animal control officers visited farm at least six times in July and August. Of 18 horses, nine appeared underweight; many sick. Foal’s large head and small body evidence animal’s growth was stunted because of inadequate nutrition.
9/10/09 Washington:  Abused Animals removed from Sultan area farm. Owner arrested:  10 thoroughbreds, including mares, foals, fillies and stallion, removed from property. Woman who reportedly was trying to run a horse breeding business was booked into Snohomish County Jail for investigation of first-degree animal cruelty.
9/10/09 Washington, D.C.:  2009 Unwanted Horses Survey now available in hard copy:  The 2009 Unwanted Horses Survey now available in hard copy; can still be downloaded at no cost. The hard copy is $10. Survey conducted from November 2008 to January 2009 by independent market research company. More than 23,000 horse owners, equine industry stakeholders, rescue and retirement facilities and non-horse owners participated.
9/9/09 TheHorse.com:  Former owners of seized retired polo ponies sought:  Orange County, Va., Animal Control Officers removed 10 allegedly malnourished horses from property owned by Polo Pony Retirement Foundation in response to neighbor’s complaint about condition. Investigators also found 20 unburied horse carcasses on property.
9/9/09 Kentucky:  Kentucky horse and cattle organizations partner to provide education Poor economy finds increase in number of complaints received by animal control and peace officers concerning care and well-being of livestock. Kentucky Horse Council and Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association teaming up again to offer Livestock Investigation Training for Kentucky officials.
9/9/09 Texas:  Owner of horses seized plans to fight back. Owner wants three horses returned:  Friend says owner has had the animals less than a year and has worked hard to get them better.  (video)
9/9/09 Montana:  Horse roundup halted: BLM ended wild horse roundup in Pryor Mountains seven days after it started, and began releasing animals back onto the 38,000-acre range. Of an estimated 188 horses, 146 were rounded up. Of those gathered, 57 will be put up for adoption, three of them mares with foals. No major injuries; no horses died. Since 1971, 23 horse roundups have been conducted on the range.
9/9/09 Montana:  Noted geneticist gives his two bits on significance of Pryor Mountain mustangs:  Gus Cothran, professor at Texas A&M University who specializes in horse genetics, said his views are sometimes distorted to suit the needs of special interests. He says, "There's always a greater risk when you reduce the herd, but you have to balance that with the environmental issues."
September 2009 Lane Report:  Haven for all horses. Kentucky Equine Humane Center is a unique adoption agency:  72-acre farm operates like cat/dog shelter, accepting horses, donkeys, mules. Horses come from across Kentucky; many have had little or no handling. Has taken in more than 400 equines since 2007; placed more than 200. In mid-August, housed 35 horses (maximum capacity is 45-50). Last winter, accepted 7-8 horses a week on average. With summer grazing, abandoned horses numbers declined. Exec. director believes problem of Kentucky horses being turned loose to fend for themselves is bigger than many realize.
9/8/09 Kentucky:  A horse in the yard? You've got to be kidding!  Metro Animal Care Services received call from a man who woke up and found pony in his yard. Nobody has come forward to claim him.  (photo)
9/8/09 Montana:  Wild horse roundup captures 131 mustangs:  Fed officials say they will complete a wild horse roundup along Montana-Wyoming border within next few days. As of Monday, BLM contractors had gathered 131 horses as part of agency's effort to reduce size of herd on Pryor Mountain National Wild Horse Range. Critics say actions threaten to ruin genetics of herd descended from animals brought to North America by Spanish conquistadors.
9/8/09 Florida:  Brevard woman alleges owner neglecting horses:  Woman says owner of several horses neglecting them and wants authorities to step in. Last week, one of the horses was found dead.
9/7/09 Illinois:  Horse shelter to hold auction to raise much needed funds: Organizers hope to raise at least $40,000 to offset veterinarian and therapeutic care costs horses require. Donations dwindling because of economy. Shelter needs funds to maintain $3,000 monthly budget. Has resources to house five horses at a time, with 25 horses on waiting list.
9/5/09 Texas:  Arrest made in cruelty case:  Resident arrested, charged with having neglected two horses. Neighbors had been attempting to care for animals but notified authorities when their conditions deteriorated. Veterinarian euthanized one horse; the surviving animal is in sheriff’s custody.
9/4/09 Montana:  Wild horse roundup:  About 190 horses on Pryor Mountains' Wild Horse Range--mostly desert--more than biologists say range can sustain. One observer opposed to roundup said it was done well; carried out with horses' health in mind. (video)
9/4/09 Maryland:  Couple files appeal to fight horse abuse conviction. Windsor Mill couple had been found guilty of animal cruelty:  As part of sentence, couple ordered to serve three weekends in jail, fined $1,000 plus court costs, ordered to pay $10,000 restitution to Baltimore County to cover costs of boarding and caring for two surviving horses.
9/4/09 Montana:  Some wild horses released:  Seventeen Pryor Mountain mustangs returned to range Friday, one day after capture. Eighteen horses being processed: taking hair for DNA testing and providing mares a contraceptive. Of the 18, five kept for adoption. One mare with foal in rough shape kept to be fed until healthier.
9/4/09 Colorado:  Targeted horses seized from Weld County man. Trenton Parker threatened to have horses shot over zoning protest:  County officials seizing 24  "hot-blooded" Arabian stallions man has been unable to sell.  (video)
9/3/09 Indiana:  Police investigating case of animal abuse in St. Joe County:  Police investigating after driver found horse unattended, walking alongside road. Horse was severely malnourished and has since died.  (photo)
9/3/09 Montana:  Controversial roundup of mustangs begins in Pryor Mountains:  First Pryor Mountain mustangs rounded up. Removal will be largest in herd's history, meant to reduce pressure on habitat, which includes mountains and high desert that receive as little as 6" of rain annually. BLM experts say range cannot support such a large herd without ecological damage. Wild horse advocates claim horses and range are doing fine.
9/3/09 South Carolina:  SC company sues in horse carriage dispute:  Carriage company fined after pleading guilty to violating Charleston city regulations on maintaining horses is suing woman who was supposed to care for animals. Lawsuit blames her for two horse's deaths boarded with her. Newspaper reports she has moved to Mexico and cell phone disconnected.
9/2/09 Texas:  SPCA of Texas and Hutchens Police Department Seize Five Starving Horses from Boarding Stable in Dallas County Two mares, two foals and one stud were housed at unattended boarding stable and not being given appropriate food and water. All extremely underweight and have severely overgrown hooves. SPCA encourages  public to consider adopting a horse, will help make room for these seized horses
9/2/09 Indiana:  Mission of mercy: Horse Rescue nurses neglected animals back to good health:  Since Jan. 1, 118 horses have come through rescue. Is currently home to 15. About 350 horses have been saved from starvation or neglect since rescue started five years ago.
9/2/09 Montana:  Wild-horse advocates fail to halt roundup:  BLM to round up herd of 190 animals and remove 70. Culled animals to be put up for adoption. Those not adopted will be put in Nebraska holding facility. There are 22,100 wild horses in long-term facilities; another 9,000 in short-term facilities. An estimated 33,000 wild horses roam federal lands in United States.
9/2/09 Montana:  Judge won’t bar wild horse roundup:  Federal judge denied wild horse advocates' request for temporary restraining order to halt the roundup of Pryor Mountain's wild mustangs.
9/2/09 Connecticut:  The EQUUS Foundation announces 2009 grant awards Grants made to 49 charitable organizations that use the horse to benefit the public; promote the horse's health and welfare; and elevate the equestrian sport. 
9/2/09 Wyoming:  Program brings out best in inmates, horses:  Wild horses brought to Wyoming Honor Farm minimum-security prison as part of BLM adoption program. Horses undergo training by inmates for about six to nine months. Provides trained wild horses to public as  way to move horses rounded up every three years.
9/2/09 Idaho:  Group says 3 horses being mistreated. Silent Voices Equine Rescue looks to law enforcement for help:  Evidence presented by concerned citizens showed apparent continued lack of feeding of three horses subjected to starvation and neglect since 2006, including past six months during which local and state officials have been involved.
9/1/09 Texas:  Horses rescued from China Grove lot:  Three horses rescued after neighbor contacted authorities. Similar rescue at same address two years ago. Owner feels his horses have been stolen; was trying to refeed starved animals. 
9/1/09 California:  Senate Resolution 30, relative to horses and horse processing,  introduced by Senator Dean FlorezUrges Congress to support federal legislation to protect American horses from slaughter for human consumption.
9/1/09 Virginia:  Horse rescue director threatened:  Director of horse rescue says she’s received hundreds of negative emails and a death threat for not immediately euthanizing a horse that lost a hoof. Reporter followed up with expert in horse care, head of Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Virginia Tech’s vet school ... (video)
9/1/09 Florida:  Levy County Sheriff's Office press release: Abandoned malnourished horse:  Witness discovered malnourished mare lying on ground that was unable to stand. Horse determined to be so malnourished that it was euthanized at the scene. (photo)
9/1/09 Montana:  With judge’s ruling in doubt, mustang activists resort to prayer, media. Horse advocates seek higher help:  Horse advocates have been the most vocal in opposition to roundup, requesting smaller removal of 20 horses. Other groups and state agencies have backed BLM plan based on environmental assessment, including Billings-area wilderness advocates, a Montana wild sheep group, and Wyoming's agriculture and game and fish agencies.

~ August Unemployment 9.7%~

8/31/09 Wyoming:  BLM planning to round up nearly 1,000 horses:  Federal wranglers to round up about 948 wild horses from public rangelands in southwest Wyoming. Aim is to reduce populations and bring them into line with desired numbers. Agency proposes to implement fertility treatments on captured mares that are released back to the range. Wyoming has about 4,500 wild horses scattered across 16 herd management areas, most in southwest Wyoming. BLM has statewide herd management goal of from 2,700 to 3,700 wild horses.
8/31/09 Kentucky:  Danville vet rehabilitates horses found malnourished in Mercer:  Working with emaciated horses found living in stalls deep with waste and assumed to not have been outside those stalls for months. Horses were there to be trained. One horse in too much pain and too wild to be bathed properly, so was tranquilized for procedure.
8/31/09 Florida:  Miramar man arrested in horse cruelty case:  Man neglected horses so badly that two had to be euthanized. He was not the animals' owner, but was entrusted to take care of them. Authorities took him into custody at airport when he returned from Colombia.
8/31/09 Montana:  Wild horse roundup postponed:  Roundup postponed to allow Department of Justice to respond to lawsuit and request for injunction filed by wild horse advocates in U.S. District Court. Roundup an attempt to thin herd because BLM's analysis of range condition shows are too many horses for habitat to support. Wild horse advocates contend thinning herd threatens genetic viability and that range is in good condition.
8/30/09 Arizona:  Economy has horse owners abandoning animals. Animals abandoned, underfed when bills become too much:  Animals left behind in places such as national forests, near horse-riding trails, tied to a gate at someone's house. A few months ago, about a half-dozen horses showed up in Tonto National Forest northeast of Phoenix; they've been living there since. Pinal County Sheriff's Office has taken in about 25 horses since May.
8/29/09 Utah:  Economy impacts animals too:  In last six months, Pet Matches of Veyo has tried to find homes for 20 horses whose owners could no longer afford to feed or care for animals. Throughout Southern Utah, animal control officials say number of pets abandoned or dumped at shelters is increasing as people struggle to pay for food, veterinary care. Exacerbating the problem, fewer donations are coming in. (photo)
8/28/09 Mississippi:  Abandoned horse highlights issues for county, city:  Abandoned, injured horse found standing in middle of the road.   (photo)
8/28/09 Texas:  Seized Arabians in custody of Texas groupMore than 70 allegedly neglected Arabian horses seized earlier this month are in permanent custody of agency directing their care. During a custody hearing, owner agreed to donate horses to Humane Society of North Texas and pay for horses' maintenance and care while their permanent custody was pending.
8/28/09 Montana:  BLM effort to thin wild-horse herd in Pryors begins Monday:  Fed officials will close Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range to thin 190-horse herd by 70 animals. Action taken to improve range's ecological balance. Some mares will be rendered infertile. About 120 head will be released back to range; remainder available for adoption Sept. 26.
8/27/09 California:  Abandoned horse finds new home:  Despite efforts to locate owner, no one came forward to claim ownership of horse found wandering in Montebello near Grant Rea Park   (photo)
8/27/09 Nebraska:  Nebraska sheriff seeks information on horses sold to GravesAuthorities in Geneva seeking information from Thoroughbred owners who sold horses to man accused of animal cruelty and neglect charges. Norman Graves faces felony charge and two misdemeanor counts of animal neglect following the discovery of 38 malnourished horses.
8/26/09 Illinois:  Officials seek animal neglect charges:  Three emaciated horses taken into county custody two months ago. On Tuesday, animal shelter received a call about other animals, including more horses and a dog, at same address.
8/26/09 Illinois:  Mount Washington man checks into welfare of county's horses:  Bullitt County Sheriff's first equine investigator attended class conducted by Kentucky Horse Council to learn procedure for determining equine abuse/neglect. Class stressed teaching owners proper care rather than confiscating animals.
8/25/09 Minnesota:  Police investigating possible horse neglect:  Fillmore County Sheriff's office investigating possible case of animal neglect after receiving calls about 15 horses that appeared to be underfed and malnourished. Sheriff's department has seen increase in animal neglect cases as economy has gone into recession. (photo)
8/25/09 Wyoming:  Wyoming woman fined for starving horsesWoman accused of starving more than three dozen horses last winter must pay about $2,900 in court fees and restitution; also placed on five years probation. She and husband each charged with 39 counts of animal cruelty after sheriff's deputies found 39 horses in poor health on property outside Ralston.
8/24/09  Ohio:  Deerfield Township woman pleads guilty to cruelty charges related to 15 neglected horses: Woman accused of starving horses has pleaded guilty to 25 counts of cruelty to animals.  In April, animal sanctuary took 15 starving horses from property. Some could barely walk; many were suffering from malnutrition. Horses are available for adoption. Sanctuary is accepting donations to pay for their care.
8/24/09 DVM360.com:  AVMA appoints new assistant director of Animal Welfare Division:  Dr. Cia L. Johnson hopes to use food-animal experience to implement new policies and objectives:  “I think it is very important that someone who has a working knowledge of food production and who is familiar with large-animal medicine be sitting at the table when livestock welfare is being discussed."
8/23/09 New York:  Home is where the horse is. Some of the horses seized from a breeder's farm still need new places to live: 100 horses surrendered to Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA. About 75 have been placed in new homes. Society is monitoring about 70 horses at Ernie Paragallo's Center Brook Farms.
8/23/09 Tennessee:  Tennessee Walking Horse abuse triples in 4 months. But scrutiny may help to clean up sport:  Violations of industry and federal regulations on humane treatment of horses more than tripled compared with same period in 2008. May be best news industry has had in decades. New agency directed by the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration examining horses.
8/22/09 Florida:  Horses rescued from South Florida farm:  Society for The Prevention and Cruelty to Animals rescued two more malnourished horses Saturday. It's their third horse rescue in less than a week. They currently have 46 horses in custody but only have space and funds to take care of 15 horses.  (video)
8/22/09 Texas:  Recession, slaughter ban blamed in the steep fall in horse prices:  Prices have plummeted across horse industry. Unwanted Horse Coalition calls it a problem of "staggering" dimensions. Of 20,000 responding owners, 88 percent said they’d been faced with decision to sell, donate or euthanize horses. Humane Society of the United States discounts results: contends respondents took survey more than once; there are no reliable statistics on abandoned horses. Says numbers might be up in areas hit hardest by recession or drought.
8/22/09 Florida:  Malnourished horses and a mule recovering after being removed from Miramar ranch:  Police investigators trying to figure out who is responsible for the neglect and abuse:  owner out of the country.
8/22/09 Wyoming:  Shelter euthanizing fewer cats, dogs:  Cheyenne shelter euthanized 297 animals between July 1 and Aug. 15, down 24 percent from year ago. Keeping fewer animals on-site to improve adoption rates. Adoptions slowing, a possible result of bad economy.
8/22/09 Florida:  More horses found malnourished in South Florida:  More horses found neglected and malnourished at another South Florida ranch in less than a week. One of the six sick-looking horses and a mule was in extremely bad shape and had to be euthanized..  (video)
8/21/09 Virginia:  Orange Co. animal abuse suspect in court:  Trial date set for October for a woman charged in animal abuse after animal control officers seized 20 horses and three dogs. Horses were at the lowest level of emaciation. They also found 20 decomposing horse carcasses at the property.
8/21/08 HorseChannel.com:  Kentucky Horse Council publishes Equine Minimum Standards of Care. Free guide helps owners and interested parties understand a horse's basic needs.  Developed by Kentucky Horse Council Health and Welfare Committee, includes information approved by equine veterinarians and humane officers. 
8/20/09 Florida:  33 Malnourished horses seized from Florida farm:  Authorities seized 33 severely underweight horses. Marion County Animal Services says most were 400-500 pounds underweight. County filing for custody animals; pursuing animal cruelty charges.
8/20/09 Ohio:  Ohio State event looks at the science of animal welfare:  Symposium on animal welfare to be held at Ohio State University on October 16. Organized by Ohio State's College of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Animal Sciences, it will offer perspectives grounded in science and education.
8/20/09 Colorado:  Jeffco rancher pleads guilty in horse-abuse case:  rancher who has repeatedly been investigated for animal abuse pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty in connection with a probe of his treatment of animals in 2007. Still faces felony aggravated cruelty charge based on investigation surrounding abuse of 17 horses seized in May.
8/20/09 Michigan:  Huguelet to stand trial on horse abuse charge:  Accused of not caring for 11 animals, two of which were euthanized June 21. Another four put down next day; seventh euthanized in July. One euthanized because it was "fearful" and posed a danger to humans.
8/20/09 South Carolina:  Horse-code violations. Carolina Polo and Carriage pleads guilty, is fined nearly $1,800:  Representatives for horse-drawn tour operator pleaded guilty to four code violations related to the way company maintains horses and stables.
8/19/09 Virginia:  Seized animals have long way to recovery:  Ten horses seized from Orange County farm recovering at stables and shelters across state. (photo)
8/19/09 Drovers.com:  Veterinarian urges transparency on animal welfare:  There is a difference between animal welfare and animal rights. Those who believe in animal rights likely will not be influenced by science.
8/19/09 Oklahoma:  Oklahoma horses’ health deemed ‘poor’. Animal advocate says abuse has risen in tough times:  Sheriff’s deputies and volunteers rounded up 87 horses; four carcasses found. Owner signed horses over to sheriff. Oklahoma Alliance for Animals Outreach director said past year one of worst for horse abuse cases in the 20 years she’s worked in animal welfare: "We’ve seen a massive upsurge in the abandonment and abuse of horses.”
8/19/09 Florida:  Horse horror: 11 emaciated equines rescued from ranch:  Nearly a dozen severely emaciated horses seized from Miami ranch by SPCA. Community asked to contribute to the cost of their care.  (photo)   (video)
8/19/09 Indiana:  Adams horse owner faces cruelty charge:  Decatur man arrested on  preliminary charge of cruelty to an animal; charged in neglect of 37 horses. Animals seized. Veterinarians examined horses after removal; determined some were malnourished.
8/18/09 Florida:  11 Starving horses rescued by SFSPCA
8/18/09 Texas:  Care revives seized horses. 76 once-starved animals in good shape, Humane Society says; feed needed: Two veterinarians are working with horses without pay. "Eternally grateful" for donated feed, still in "desperate need of monetary donations, grain for feed and square bales of hay. Owner free on $10,000 bail on one count of cruelty to animals. Could eventually face 76 such charges. Each carries jail sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $4,000.
8/18/09 New York:  Horse breeder arraigned on animal cruelty charges:  Horse breeder Ernest Paragallo arraigned on 35 counts of animal cruelty. Paragallo appeared before judge but didn't enter a plea. Case adjourned for 45 days; he is free on $5,000 bail.  Paragallo owns farm where officials found 177 malnourished horses.
8/18/09 Virginia:  Horse carcasses lead to cruelty charges for Orange County woman:  Farm owner operating rescue facility for polo ponies faces 10 counts animal cruelty and 20 counts failure to bury or cremate dead animals. 10 horses and three dogs placed in foster care or at local animal shelter.
8/17/09 Oregon:  Woman jailed for 21 counts of animal neglect: Woman convicted of animal neglect in jail again on suspicion of neglecting dogs and one horse. Pet Rescue will help care for animals until court grants order for sheriff's office to seize the animals. Past offenses dealth primarily with neglecting horses. 
8/17/09 Massachusetts:  Boxford man barred from owning more animals for 18 months:  After two-year, $30,000 legal battle, rescue league granted custody of three miniature horses and three geese. When rescued, horses given round-the-clock care to remedy starvation. One with Cushing disease needs daily doses of expensive meds.
8/17/09 JAVMA:  Unwanted horse survey sheds light on issue's causes, extent: Results from survey on unwanted horses identified the problem's magnitude as "staggering" and called for a unified commitment to develop as many productive solutions as possible.
8/16/09 Texas:  Horse owner jailed after starving animals seized:  Man accused of starving 76 horses near Pilot Point, turned himself in early Saturday afternoon.  (video) (photo)
8/16/09 Texas:  Animal rescuers running out of cash:  In past week, animal groups have rescued 600 dogs and cats from Kaufman County, 75 horses from Denton County, and animals from two properties just outside Mansfield. Some of these have cost up to $75,000, money the Texas SPCA and Humane Society of North Texas didn't have to begin with.
8/16/09 Illinois:  Weld sanctuaries, owners struggle to care for horses:  Woman has 10 horses on property but doesn't want that many; understands why a neighbor is complaining. Can't sell them. Has tried for more than two years. She's even offering them on a free lease. Denkai Animal Sanctuary, Grover, has 65 horses; gets phone calls on most days from people who them to take a horse.
8/15/09 Texas:  Horses getting help after ranch raids:  More than 75 horses are getting medical attention after two separate ranch raids.  (video)
8/15/09 Texas:  76 horses found starved: Dozens of horses in barren pastures; 17 others in barn. Sheriff’s deputies seized animals and detained ranch owner, who said he could not afford feed. Sheriff will pay contractors to care for some animals and humane association will take others. The 43-acre horse ranch for sale, listed for nearly $1.7 million. (photos)
8/14/09 Ohio:  Horse rescue in running for $25,000 grant:  Trains potential horse leasers before they take animals. In 2008, rescued 25 large animals, placing 17 horses in 13 homes. In seven years has received one grant for $6,000. Organization dependent on donations of time and money from the community. Lately, donations hard to come by due to the economy, and more and more horses are being left at the farm.
8/14/09 Texas:  Dead and sick horses found on ranch:  Three horses found dead and several others severely malnourished in Fannin County. Six euthanized.  (video)
8/14/09 Nebraska:  Horse neglect charged:  Man set to appear in Fillmore County Court Aug. 26 to face felony charge of animal cruelty following discovery of nearly 30 severely malnourished horses last month. Fillmore County Sheriff says horses were near death when found.
8/14/09 Texas:  Sheriff seizes 76 starving horses in north Texas:  Ranch resembled "concentration camp for horses." Stalled horses standing in 6 to 8 inches of urine and feces. Sheriff's Office released copy of arrest affidavit.
8/14/09 Louisiana:  11 starving horses rescued, owners charged:  Animal cruelty case involving nearly a dozen horses in the Ark-La-Tex discovered during search for fugitive.  (video)
8/14/09 Hawaii:  Horse Expo raising funds for rescue efforts:  Hawaii Island Humane Society not just place to adopt (or dump) cats and dogs. Seeing more cases of starving horses, averaging one call a month, although many calls include more than one horse.  (photo)
8/14/09 Ohio:  Missing horse priority of county humane society:  Emaciated horse involved in active case missing. Property owner and horse currently under investigation. Animal abandonment due to foreclosures leveled out, but county handling increased cases where someone acts spontaneously and acquires pet they cannot take care of.
8/14/09 New York:  Workshops planned for new and potential horse owners:  Cornell Cooperative Extension and My Saddle Brook Farm presenting workshops for new and potential horse owners to learn what it takes to care for horses.
8/13/09 Indiana:  Police searching for man they believe neglected 37 horses:  Veterinarian says safety and well being of 13 of 37 horses in jeopardy. Adams County Sheriff's Department officials removed horses. Police aware of problems at farm for years, but environment wasn't poor enough to remove animals until now. (video)
8/13/09 Colorado:  Seized horses available:  Sixteen horses and one donkey seized by Jefferson County Sheriff's Office during animal neglect investigation now available for adoption. Sheriff's Office received court order granting it ownership of animals, although case is still pending. Former owner charged with 38 counts of animal neglect and one count of felony animal cruelty.
8/13/09 Colorado:  BLM barred from removing wild horses:  BLM overstepped authority in plan to remove horses in northwest Colorado, says federal judge. Herd consists of about 147 horses in 120,000-acre area. BLM making plans to remove herd since 1980 because oil and gas exploration prompting horses to move into areas they didn't traditionally roam.
8/13/09 Kentucky:  10 malnourished horses found in Boyle:  Kentucky State Police investigating case of 10 emaciated, feces-covered horses found in stalls. Hooves in bad condition; some with skin problems. Animals owned by people in Texas, North Carolina, Kentucky.
8/13/09 Texas:  Horse rescues up this year:  In past two months, Bluebonnet Equine has taken in around 70 horses. Rescuing horses for 11 years, seeing record numbers as drought continues. Meadow Haven Rescue also seeing increasing numbers; is at capacity. Takes six months to a year and up to $200 a month to return a malnourished horse to good condition.
8/12/09 North Carolina:  Economic woes leave malnourished horses:  Animal control officers seeing more cases of malnourished horses as animal owners deal with economy. Some rescue farms running out of space. Horse prices down, in some cases to less than $100.
8/12/09 California:  Man accused of decapitating horse will go to trial:  Man accused of decapitating horse with chain saw ordered to stand trial on animal cruelty charges. Pathologist determined the horse was still alive when it was decapitated.
8/12/09 Native America Calling:  What to do with wild horses?  In the Northwest, wild horse populations on reservations reaching numbers some say are out of control, overgrazing, destroying rangeland, and disrupting habitats. What can be done to curtail this problem? (audio) *The link to this broadcast is with the permission of Native America Calling.
8/12/09 Nebraska:  Horse neglect trial delayed:  Trial delayed until January for Jason Meduna who faces 149 felony counts of cruel neglect of animal. Authorities found many of 211 horses and 11 burros on 3-Strikes Ranch emaciated and suffering from variety of ailments. Total of 74 horses and burros were found dead.
8/12/09 Florida:  Abandoned horses rescued by animal control:  Two malnourished horses abandoned by owner who left state. One is blind.   (video)
8/12/09 South Carolina:   Horses to be farmed out:  County keeps 47 rescued horses after judge denied appeal from owner. Animal Control: "It's busting the budget." Horses have cost the county more than $50,000 so far.
8/11/09 Alabama:  Moody authorities seize horses:  Authorities seized 14 horses within the city limits after numerous reports of animal cruelty. Veterinarian and animal control officials made trip to residence. One animal euthanized. Remaining animals placed in foster care. Adoptions with experienced owners to follow.
8/11/09 California:  Wild Horse Sanctuary turns 30:  Rescue of 80 mustangs culled by US Forest Service has grown during 30 years to more than 300 horses. Consume four to five tons of hay each day.
8/11/09 New York:  Helmsley's millions for dogs at stake in court:  Three groups, including HSUS, want court to throw out a judge's decision that gave  trustees of trust sole authority to determine which charities would benefit from estate.
8/11/09 Montana:  Kapsa gets long probation, reduced number of animals:  Breeder convicted of aggravated animal cruelty can no longer be in dog business; sentenced to suspended 20-year term. Limited to keeping no more than three altered dogs. Ordered to pay $50/mo. restitution for 20 years to partially reimburse estimated cost of $200,000 of caring for animals. Has 60 days to sell four of eight horses and turn over dogs that remain on property after two raids.
8/11/09 Montana:  Still more than 100 Kapsa dogs awaiting homes:  About 86 dogs removed from Kapsa's property matched with new homes leaving more than 100 waiting.
8/11/09 Montana:  Sentencing hearing today in animal case:  Kapsa pleaded no contest to felony charge, averting a trial in one of largest animal cruelty cases in state history. Yellowstone County has spent nearly $200,000 to feed, house and provide veterinary care for the animals since they were seized. Actual cost exceeds a half-million dollars, that amount offset by donations of volunteer labor, in-kind gifts and actual cash gifts.
8/10/09 North Carolina:  Economy, neglect leaves some horses homeless:  Rescue league desperate for foster homes. Every other foster home "totally overloaded." Not always true neglect. People have fallen on hard times. Some just stupidity: people have a little pasture and  think they can put two horses on it and the grass is going to last forever.
8/10/09 Illinois:  Increase in horse neglect, abuse:  Three horses confiscated during past month in rural portions of Kankakee County, all suffering from starvation and a variety of wounds indicating neglect and mistreatment. Hooved Animal Humane Society received about 100 more calls in 2008 than in 2007.
8/9/09 South Carolina:  City strives for horse sense. Debate over care of draft animals heats up amid mandates, court case:  Carriage rides continue to cause debate in Charleston. PETA calling for a total ban on carriage rides.
8/8/09 Ohio:  Horses improving at their new home: Happy Trails in Ravenna fosters animals:  Horses seized from farm improving, but some damage may never heal. Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary caring for 10 of the 15 horses. Agency welcomes assistance from community. Mounting medical bills have been “astronomical.”
8/8/09 Missouri:  Horrific animal abuse claims at Missouri farm:  Woman on outing with children found animal abuse and neglect. Not the first time owner has been accused of animal abuse, but county says circumstances not severe enough to warrant seizure of animals.  (video)
8/8/09 Florida:  Yulee woman gives starving horse new hope:  Responding to Craigslist post offering horse for free, found animal in emaciated condition. Will be three months before there is a noticeable difference in horse's appearance; at least a year before she's fully recovered.  (photo)
8/8/09 California:  Abused horses find haven. Maimed gray mare, abandoned in Nevada desert, welcomed at East County equine sanctuary:  Director believes only contact horse had with humans was when branded and when brand was cut off. Mare one of 19 horses and two burros at rescue because they were abandoned or suffer health problems.
8/7/09 Ohio:  Starving horses found in Wood County:  Caught in the middle of a divorce situation, a half-dozen animals being nursed back to health after months of extreme neglect. Five horses and a dog handed over after a raid. (video)
8/7/09 Ohio:  Woman guilty in horse abuse. Enters plea to 25 charges:  Pleaded guilty to 25 counts, all second-degree misdemeanors. In April, authorities found 30 malnourished horses living in stalls full of manure on property.
8/7/09 Texas:  How do you dispose of 10,000 dead cattle?  Conference addresses disposing of large numbers of dead animals.
8/7/09 Arkansas:  Horse owners charged with aggravated cruelty:  West Memphis couple behind bars after facing charges of aggravated animal cruelty. Judge gave each a $15,000 bond. State has horses and says priority is getting them back to good health. Several people have donated feed and hay. Judge did not make a ruling on where horses will end up.
8/7/09 Montana:  Jack Hanna heads to Polson ranch Crew visited Horse Heaven Ranch and Rescue where Francine Wood takes in abused and abandoned horses. Facility on 11 acres housing 19 horses has fallen on hard economic times.  (video)
8/7/09 Massachusetts:  Three miniature horses are up for adoption:  Neglected and  emaciated, rescued in Feb. 2008 and sent to ARL Ranch for intensive refeeding. Took months to get them healthy. Legal case lasted year and a half and cost the league more than $30,000.
8/6/09 Florida: Animal control seizes Southport horses:  Second time animal control called to property. Healthy horse weighs 1000-to-1400 lbs, but 4 animals were half that.  (photo)
8/6/09 Ohio:  Humane society seizes five horses, one ill dog:  Horses taken to rescue, are expected to survive. Once healthy, will be put up for adoption.
8/6/09 Colorado:  Jeffco Sheriff’s Office seeks homes for horses:  Sixteen horses and donkey seized in animal neglect investigation up for adoption. Sheriff's Office granted ownership although case is pending. Animal Control: "Many of these horses have trust issues and will need patient and consistent training. Some apparently have never been haltered or ridden. Others have special needs and may require additional care."
8/6/09 Arkansas:  Eastern Ark. couple faces 14 counts of felony animal abuse:  Severely malnourished horses were found in their possession. At least two died, including a colt whose mother was too malnourished to produce milk. (video)
8/6/09 NYTimes:  Paragallo, horse breeder, is indicted on animal cruelty charges:  Thoroughbred breeder/owner already facing 22 counts of animal cruelty, indicted on 35 counts by county grand jury that found he continued to neglect horses. To be arraigned Aug. 18.
8/6/09 New Jersey:  Rescue group helps save 41-year-old horse: Horse rescued after being abandoned in back yard by owner who moved out of state. Owner had discussed putting horse down rather than putting him through stress of moving, but opted for abandonment.
8/6/09 Oregon:  Seized Crook County horses get new homes. Eight of the 12 horses will remain with foster homes:   Officials looking for homes for a dozen horses.
8/6/09 Arkansas:  Man charged in beating death of horse:  One of first in Arkansas charged under state's new felony animal cruelty law. Horse's owner told man he should get rid of animal, so he beat it to death with baseball bat.
8/5/09 Oregon:  PETA urges ban on horse-drawn carriages in Portland:  To support campaign to end horse-drawn carriages nationwide, PETA points out Reno, Nev., and Santa Fe, N.M., and Camden, N.J., have prohibited the practice. Efforts to stop carriages offering rides around Central Park in NYC have gained supporters but have yet to find traction with city.
8/5/09 Maryland:  Neglected horses galloping toward recovery:  Surviving horses on their way to recovery, exiting critical care with physical rehab that includes round-the-clock care. Now entering maintenance. Estimates are horses will be adopted by this time next year.  
8/5/09 Florida:  Reward for South Florida horse killer increased as owners take action:  Horse owners urged to do whatever they can to secure their property.
8/4/09 TheHorse.com:  HSUS releases list of humane options for disposal of horse remains:  List includes state-by-state information on low-cost euthanasia programs, equine crematories, horse cemeteries, rendering facilities and landfills. State agriculture and veterinary contacts and state regulations also included.
8/4/09 Arizona:  Rescue group sees more neglected, abandoned horses: Rescue volunteer says area rescues being overwhelmed with horses, struggling to meet demand, need money to help care for animals. (video)
8/4/09 Maryland:  Windsor Mill couple sentenced for abusing 3 horses:  Couple ordered to repay Baltimore County $9,950 to partially cover cost of placing two emaciated horses in  rescue. Prosecutors estimate cost to county to be well over $10,000 so far.
8/3/09 Oregon:  Horses rescued from neglect are healthy and ready for adoption:  After being in foster care since February, two emaciated horses impounded by Washington County Animal Services are ready for adoption.
8/3/09 Florida:  Horses find home at Estero stable:  Had they said yes to all calls for help, the stables would have at least 15 horses. (video)
8/2/09 Michigan:  Michigan House committee passes livestock care measure:  House Agriculture Committee passed H.B. 5127 and H.B. 5128, bringing comprehensive standards for farm animal care one step closer to law in the state. Controversial bills, which closely mirror proposed November ballot question in Ohio, have animal rights activists and agriculture at odds.
8/1/09 New York:  Horse abuse case postponed:  Ernest Paragallo facing 22 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty following seizure of more than 150 starving, diseased and neglected thoroughbreds. District Attorney seeking a plea bargain rather than trial.
8/1/09 Montana:  154 of the Kapsa dogs being spayed or neutered this weekend. English shepherd adoptions nearDogs formerly owned by Ballantine dog breeder are being spayed or neutered this weekend.

~ July Unemployment 9.4% ~

7/31/09 California:  Pesky burros to be shooed away from desert Army base:  As
many as 100 wild burros keep invading the Fort Irwin Army base. Will be rounded up and put up for adoption. Training is halted each time burros roam through live-fire areas; also affect habitat of threatened desert tortoise
7/31/09 Florida:  Horse slaughters have Miami-area owners on edge:  Tough to solve because occurring in rural areas. Officers working to confirm if meat is being sold to consumers. South Florida is a melting pot with people from Asia, Europe, South, Central America and the islands, where people grow up eating horse meat.
7/30/09 Texas:  Adoptions planned for horses seized from Abilene stables:  Adoption process for 15 horses seized from Abilene stable begin this week. Justice of Peace ruled equines in animal cruelty case now property of Animal Services. Animal Services along with Abilene Police Department and Taylor County Sheriff’s Office seized animals on July 18.
7/30/09 Arkansas:  Arkansas Animal Cruelty Law takes effect Friday46th state to make animal cruelty a felony.
7/30/09 Ohio:  Learning to identify abuse in livestock may require more than observation:  Ohio Farm Bureau and Ohio State University Extension team up to help humane officers learn how to distinguish normal livestock handling and care from animal abuse. Many phone calls to humane agents are about horses.
7/29/09 Texas:   Owner's friend: City may have seized horses too quickly:  Fifteen horses and two foals were seized; 40-year-old Shetland pony put down at property.
7/29/09 FOX News:  Pony Up. Critics blast plan to spend millions on horse contraceptives (video)
7/29/09 FOX News:  Critics worry measure to save wild horses is taxpayer drainTaxpayers could be on hook for $700 million if measure to put wild horses back home on the range passes Congress. Bill would provide millions for contraception, rounding up thousands of animals each year for castration and even birth control pills. Congressional Budget Office estimated cost at $200 million over next five years, up to $500 million after 2013 to secure land. 
7/29/09 Texas:  Horses fall on hard times. Economic woes and drought are adding to the numbers of abandoned and neglected horses:  Bluebonnet rescue, College Station, has reached capacity and no longer has room among its various volunteers to place additional horses. The group has taken in 76 horses this year, is on pace to nearly double the 86 horses it rescued last year. True Blue has rescued 32 horses, already doubling its total of 16 for 2008.
7/28/09 Texas:  Eighteen horses turned over to rescue agency:  Rescue awarded 18 malnourished horses. Second time since May they have aided Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office in rescuing neglected horses and were awarded custody of the animals. All suffering malnourishment:  two have muscle problems due to starvation; others with infections and bites caused by stallions in group. Rescue caring for more than 100 horses; cannot continue to help law enforcement with  such cases without public help in form of foster and adoptive homes.   (photo)
7/28/09 Tennessee:  Horse owner denies animal abuse caught on camera:  Lawrenceburg man under investigation for abusing his horses.  (video)
7/27/09 Virginia:  Woman found guilty after horses seized:  Veterinarian saw animals on three occasions and scored them a 1 for condition; told owner to feed them more.  (video)
7/27/09 West Virginia:  Horses find their saving grace - Area woman strives to rescue abandoned and abused animals:  Recounts finding horses tied to post in middle of night with notes asking to find them a home. Most rescues are from racetracks. Currently caring for 30 horses with 10 available for adoption. Donations down; may cut back to five.  (photo)
7/27/09 Tennessee:  Unwanted horses - Abandonment increasing with economy's downturn:  Boarding school took in five unwanted horses but had to find new homes for them because they weren't suitable for children to ride or therapy use.
7/26/09 California:  Rescued horses in search of homes:  Women looking for homes for 13 rescued horses. Board facility says it's costing too much to keep them; they have to go.
7/25/09 Washington, D.C.:  Playboy bunnies hop on horse issue. Playmates fight for horse rights:  Three passionate opponents contend voters want to help animals no matter how bad times are, that Obama will support issue because he's compassionate and intelligent.
7/25/09 Texas:  In Texas, drought means conserving every last drop
7/25/09 Wyoming:  PETA renews campaign against flank straps:  Renews its call for ban on use of flank straps on bucking animals following death of a horse and injury to another at Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. Chairman of rodeo's animal care committee, said it was second death of a horse in 25 years.
7/25/09 New York:  Official says neglect continues at farm:  President of Humane Society/Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Greene and Columbia Counties said many horses on Paragallo property not being fed or cared for properly. Paragallo denied horses have been neglected; said S.P.C.A. and state authorities have no basis for original charges.
7/25/09 North Dakota:  Number of unwanted horses up, owners say:  Chairman of Unwanted Horse Coalition: "Sort of a perfect storm. we had processing plants close … and then the economy took a turn for the worse and there's always a glut of unwanted horses when that happens." Coalition has taken no position on horse slaughter. 
7/25/09 Virginia:  Calling Equine Rescue:  Organization takes abused, neglected and sick horses on behalf of law enforcement. Caretaker: “Just because you have some acreage doesn’t mean you should have a horse.”  (photo)
7/24/09 Kentucky:  Starved horses confiscated in Mercer County, Kentucky:  Authorities seized 14 starved horses. Emaciated herd included pregnant mares, with last year's weanlings at side. Stallions running with mares, possibly breeding mares not in foal.    (photo)
7/24/09 Indiana:  Abandoned horse being fostered by Lawrence County sheriff
7/24/09 Texas:  Owner's friend: City may have seized horses too quickly:  Horses seized last Saturday may have been taken five days before the owner’s time to comply with city requirements ended.
7/24/09 Oklahoma:  Rescuer calls charges in Beckham County cruelty case ‘sad’:  Charges filed against operators of farm where authorities seized 52 horses found to be in poor shape. Deputies found 45 carcasses in various stages of decomposition. Court papers say idea was to buy horses cheaply, fatten them up, and then sell them for a profit.
7/23/09 Florida:  Wild horses coming to Palm Beach County for adoption:  Ongoing effort by  BLM to save America's wild horses from overcrowding on rangeland in western states. There's an overpopulation problem. There's not enough food and water for them.
7/23/09 West Virginia:  Man pleads not guilty to torturing horses:  Arrested after humane officer found a dead horse in his barn and another severely emaciated and starving.
7/23/09 TheHorse.com:  Drought burdens Texas horse rescue:  So far this year, Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society foster homes have taken in about 75 horses--as many as were cared for through all of 2008. At capacity and turning away sheriff's department seizures.
7/23/09 Montana:  Rescue group to to begin the adoption process of seized dogs:  Pairing people up with dogs, they'll check references and make home visits before awarding dogs. $200 adoption fee. Will take a while to acclimate to regular home because they have been running wild.
7/23/09 Colorado:  PZP expert to talk about horse fertility control:  Used effectively at Assateague Island where the population of 120 horses has been stable and no horses have had to be removed for nearly 20 years.
7/23/07 Oklahoma:  Field owners charged with felony animal cruelty in Sayre horse abuse case:  45 horse carcasses littered corner of property.  (photo)
7/22/09 Tennessee:  Rescue group works to save horses:  Rescue organization planned to pick up 12 horses, came back with nearly two dozen, one which has since died. Caring for additional animals is straining organization's budget. Owner had 186 horses he was trying to help. (photos)
7/22/09 The Hill:  Animal Welfare Special Report by Congressional Lawmakers
7/22/09 Oklahoma:  2 Oklahoma horses’ deaths were odd for federally run adoptions:  Deaths of adopted BLM animals an exception. Officials check on most horses within one year of adoption. These horses had not yet been visited by compliance officers.
7/22/09 California:  New equine rescue helps hurt horses:  Nine starving, abandoned horses rescued July 14 in Modesto recovering with help of a new Oakdale rescue. Vet bill $1,100 and counting. Recovery time for horses in this condition can take a full year.  (photos)
7/22/09 Colorado:  Horse seized from Jefferson County property:  Horse around 28 years of age needs a special feed designed for older horses.  (video)
7/22/09 Arkansas:  (Clay County) Humane Society makes headway in first year:  Operates through donations and with volunteers. In last year, participated in seizure of nine horses and received 11-- all now in foster care.
7/22/09 Indiana:  Officials seize a dozen neglected horses-Latest seizure alludes to growing problem:  Animal control involved in situation for approximately a year, with 11 documented visits. Started with junk property violation. Animals now in rescue. (photo)
7/22/09 Maine:  4-H campers learn about horse, animal-care:  State animal agent went over the basics of keeping horses healthy at 4-H Horse Camp. Gave horse enthusiasts rundown of cases in which animals were seized from owners because of abuse. Displayed before-and-after pictures to show how animals progressed while being cared for.
7/22/09 Oregon:  Woman faces more animal neglect charges - Theft, conspiracy counts added; second woman tied to case is arrested:  Most horses found severely underweight, malnourished and required medical care, including one foal that had a fractured leg.
7/22/09 North Dakota:  Eleven miniature ponies rescued:  Horses from Florida being nursed back to health near Mandan. Rescue owner:  "They can die if we allow them to eat whatever they want; we eased back into a feed program, and they are doing very well."
7/22/09 Michigan:  Animal advocates work to halt cruelty, neglect often caused by ignorance or lack of means:  Animal control officer proposes a variety of factors may contribute to abuse:  some ignorance; economic issues; dwindling mental capacity.
7/21/09 Texas:  Drought creating problems for horse seizures:  Third-driest drought in Coastal Bend history impacting animal abuse cases, especially horses. More are coming in everyday, but law enforcement agencies don't have anywhere to put them.  (video)
7/21/09 Oregon:  Horse saved from neglect performs in show ring four months later:  Mare abandoned by owners who lost their farm and moved out, leaving horse behind.
7/21/09 Oregon:  Horse scam called 'creative and sick':  Woman accused of neglecting at least 35 horses allegedly used boarding operation to fleece customers.
7/21/09 Oregon:  Sheriff's Department update on Salem woman taken into custody on multiple counts of animal neglect
7/21/09 Montana:  Kapsa sentencing set; many issues to be decided by judge:   Order filed for sentencing on aggravated animal cruelty. Officials twice raided property and seized about 200 dogs and other animals. Judge will determine how long owner should remain on probation, how many animals she can keep and how much she owes in restitution.
7/21/09 Wyoming:  Barrasso, Lummis oppose House's wild horse bill:  Bill would restrict the government from killing healthy wild horses and burros and give government authority to enter into cooperative agreements to establish wild horse sanctuaries on nonfederal lands. Congressional Budget Office estimates enacting bill would cost up to $700 million. Barrasso:  government shouldn't spend $700 million on wild horses while the nation is in debt. Lummis: bill would worsen Wyoming's grass resources and require more money to repair damage left by wild horses and burros in the state.
7/21/09 Florida:  Animal sanctuary provides safe haven:  Facility doesn't have room, but more unwanted pets and creatures arrive nonetheless. Latest animals were 20 neglected miniature horses. Sanctuary bought the horses outright with help of a sponsor, shipped most of the horses to a North Dakota sanctuary for adoption. Cost for project: $8,000.
7/21/09 TheHorse.com:  Minimum standards of care established by Kentucky horse group:  Free resource offered to horse owners, potential horse owners, law enforcement officials. Includes information on food, drink, space, and health care for equines, encourages the practice of body condition scoring of horses as basis for development of feeding regiment.
7/20/09 Florida:  Hope is running low for neglected horses: After one year of operation rescue is full, can't take more animals. In the last four months, they've found a home for one horse.
7/20/09 California:  Mutilated horse rescued:  Nevada horse found in desert joins 19 other abandoned horses at rescue.  (video)
7/20/09 Texas:  Animals adopted; more taken in -- 15 horses and two foals are seized during the weekend:  Animals being held at Animal Services and pens at Taylor County Jail. Reports that owner was trying to rescue the animals will be investigated. Animal hoarding just as devastating as abuse/neglect and can overwhelm even the best intentions.
7/20/09 Montana:  National rescue group likely to get dogs:  County finalizing plans to release 187 dogs to National English Shepherd Rescue, based in state of Washington. Dogs will remain at MetraPark and Moore Lane Veterinary Clinic at the cost of the county until adopted. Rescue group wants animals spayed or neutered, so county probably will hold a spay-neuter clinic that could cost as much as to $9,000. County has spent more than $150,000 so far in caring for the dogs.
7/20/09 Missouri:  Winston gets a new home:  Starving horse abandoned in late June ready for a permanent home.  (photos)
7/20/09 Florida:  Saving animals for everyone:  Animal sanctuary recently bought 20 miniature horses so that they could be rescued.
7/20/09 North Dakota:  A second chance for miniature horses 12 minis found in Florida with little to no food, water or shelter, during a period when the heat index was well above 100-degrees. Owners didn't want to give them up, even though animals were dying around them. Rescue is expecting five more horses from same Florida facility later this week.   
7/20/09:  Push to resume US horse processing:  Proponents are pushing Congress to introduce a bill to allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture to resume inspecting horse meat for human consumption.
7/19/09 Washington:  Is 700 million dollar wild horse bill justified?  Congressman Louie Gohmert, East Texas, speaks out against wild horse welfare bill, which would provide 700 million dollars for Restore Our American Mustangs Act. (video)
7/19/09 Montana:  $94,000 gift earmarked for improvements to Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter:  Daily operating funds (cats/dogs) come from yearly appropriation of more than $235,000 from city, plus $130,000 in fees and other charges collected by the shelter.
7/18/09 Oregon:  Groups push to slaughter horses for meat, possibly starting in Oregon:  Efforts underscore a rural-urban divide and desperate state of America's horse industry. Steep decline in horse prices, overgrazing on Native American reservations, and incidents of horse abandonment and neglect, among other problems.
7/18/09 TheHorse.com:  Kentucky livestock neglect investigation training offered:  Three-day training for investigators includes education on identifying neglect and how to handle, restrain, and transport a variety of livestock.
7/17/09 Texas:  Couple allegedly starved their horse to death:  New Braunfels couple arrested for allegedly starving two horses, including one that starved to death. Animals found with no access to food or water.
7/17/09 Nevada:  Reward upped in NV horse abuse case:  $5,000 reward for information leading to conviction of owner of horse found loose in Nevada with brand cut out of its hide 
7/17/09 Washington:  Room to roam: House votes to protect wild horses:  House voted Friday to rescue them from the possibility of a government-sponsored slaughter and give them millions more acres to roam. No comparable bill sponsored in Senate. Both houses have to approve legislation before it could be sent to President Obama for consideration.
7/17/09 Florida:  20 horses abandoned:  Investigators believe animals were originally wild mustangs adopted through a federal program. Detective Buzz Baker, head of the agricultural unit in Martin County: "These horses were literally dumped out in the middle of the highway and the woods and stuff, and it's disturbing."
7/17/09 Minnesota:  Rescue volunteers find more abandoned horses in tough economic times:  Someone pulled in and dropped off two horses, one so emaciated and in such bad shape it had to be euthanized. Rescuer has 22 horses on farm built for 12.
7/17/09 Florida:  'Forgotten' animals find new home in Estero stalls:  Goal to find homes for some horses, which typically live into their 30s. Will do periodic checks on adopted horses and take them back if new owners are not capable of caring for them. (video)
7/16/09 Florida:  Wild horses abandoned in FloridaMore than 20 wild mustangs found abandoned, dumped in middle of highway and in the woods. Deputies recovered 17; trying to corral 6 or 7 more. Believed to have been adopted from BLM.  (video)
7/16/09 California:  Emaciated horses dumped on ranch near Patterson:  Two local horse rescue organizations have taken in nine animals dumped on ranch near, two in extremely bad shape. Rancher awoke to find two dozen more animals in his pasture than he had the night before.
7/16/09 California:  Shelter sees increase in abandoned horses:  Horse left tied to post. Shelter suspected was abandoned hoping someone would adopt him. Represents new trend in animal abandonment. Shelter supervisor: "People don't realize horses are just as overpopulated as cats." One or two horses used to be brought to  shelter annually, now receives one or two each month. Their limited facilities are full.
7/16/09 Montana:  County getting ready to adopt out seized dog:  First steps taken to return animals or to find new homes for 200 or so dogs held as evidence in one of the state's largest felony animal cruelty cases.
7/16/09 South Carolina:  Appealing to a jury:  Owner demanding jury trial to fight 43 charges of animal cruelty after county seized horses they said were underfed and abused. County has spent about $49,000 nursing animals back to health. (photo)
7/16/009 Oregon:  E. Ore. man charged with animal neglect:  12 counts of second-degree animal neglect in the care of 30 horses and two mules. The counts are Class B misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
7/15/09 Florida:  County puts horse ride request to pasture:  Santa Rosa County Horse Assistance Council, appeared before County Commission with a fundraising idea and asked for permission to use pavilions on beach. Event would help pay for a low-cost castration clinic for stallion. Group concerned with number of abandoned horses in the area.
7/15/09 Oregon:  32 horses and mules seized in Wheeler County animal neglect case:  Man facing a dozen animal cruelty charges, accused of neglecting horses and mules on farms around Wheeler County. (photos)
7/15/09 Texas:  City to put seized animals up for adoption today:  Owner must pay the city $3,308 for the cost of keeping the animals for the past 27 days.
7/15/09 Oregon:  Mitchell man charged with 12 counts of animal neglect:  thirty horses and two mules were seized after an on-site evaluation was completed by an Oregon Department of Agriculture veterinarian (photos)
7/15/09 Florida:  For local charity need grows faster than operating dollars:  Costs shelter slightly more than $1,000/day to house, feed, medically rehabilitate, place 250 animals in facility. Another 286 animals not able to be cared for. Of these, 196/mo. euthanized by county. The others are returned to owners or accepted by other agencies. Almost a hundred phone calls a day are handled, mostly from people wanting to surrender pets.
7/15/09 Pennsylvania:  Animals' longtime protector dismounts:  State-licensed humane officer served various capacities for 21 years. Local society looks out for welfare of large animals, most involve horses, ponies, and donkeys.
7/15/09 VIN News Service:  Survey: Rescue organizations turning away 38 percent of unwanted horses:  Results released y the Unwanted Horse Coalition. At average cost of $2,300 to feed, house and provide veterinary care for a horse, coalition estimates it would cost $25.7 million a year to support just the animals that are turned away.
7/15/09 Wyoming:  Cheyenne rodeo snaps new photo/video policy:  Animal rights organization contends it's being targeted by the policy. Rodeo says it's to protect trademark and brand from unauthorized people or organizations trying to make money off rodeo.
7/14/09 Colorado:  17 horses rescued from Fremont County home:  Owner accused of neglect. Seventeen of 22 horses taken are under the care of horse rescues. (video)
7/14/09 South Carolina:  Tour operator wants jury trial:  PETA sent e-mail to city calling for officials to suspend operations for 180 days.  (photo)
7/14/09 Washington:  Rescue groups see increase in horse neglect cases:  No animal control in three-county area, problem lands in lap of animal rescue groups. (video)
7/13/09 TheHorse.com:  Ranch hand arrested in Texas horse deaths10 horses found dead in pasture: 1 euthanized on the scene; 29 horses suffering from extreme dehydration.
7/13/09 Tri-State Livestock News:  GAO study on effects of horse slaughter ban called for by Senate Committee:  Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday directed the General Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an investigation into the impact that banning U.S. horse slaughter has had on the welfare of horses.
7/13/09 South Carolina:  Update on Trexler horse case:  (Local) humane society spent over $100,000 nursing nearly 45+ horses back to health, straining bank account. Can't put them up for adoption until they own them. Lobbied lawmakers to introduce bill to prevent small organizations like theirs from going bankrupt.
7/13/09 Utah:  Homes needed for abused, abandoned horses:  Like dogs and cats, horses becoming "recession animals." Owners abandoning animals in desert thinking they'll join up with mustang herd. They won’t. It’s a terrible a death. Socializing rescued horses is easier said than done. Some have no formal training. Some have problems. Rescue not a place to come and get a perfect horse. (photos)
7/13/09 Montana:  Kapsa looks over seized animals:  Visited dogs to select which ones she'll take to her home. Costs have reached about $160,000. Community donated more than $40,000 in cash, along with food and other supplies.
7/13/09 Oregon:  More than 60 animals seized from woman in animal neglect case:  One of the largest cases of animal cruelty and neglect in area in recent history.  (photos)
7/13/09 Idaho:  'Silent Voices' aims to help neglected horses:  Frustrated with cases of neglect, group putting up cash. Horse ownership is expensive and time-consuming proposition.
7/12/09 Tennessee:  Neglected horses feel money crunch pains:  Volunteer and Equine Advocates in Sumner County has taken in 17 horses from Marshall County, 15 from Giles County. Adoptions are down.  (video)
7/12/09 Montana:  Wild horse range pressured by overgrazing:  Grasses overgrazed on 38,000-acre wild horse range, at 18 percent of what they should be. Topsoil eroded to bedrock, leaving deep, dark gashes across the meadows. (video)
7/12/09 North Carolina:  New N.C. law designed to keep visitors, wild horses safe:  Amended ordinance makes it illegal to intentionally come within 50 feet of a wild horse. 
7/12/09 Oregon:  Officials seize neglected animals:  Willamette Humane Society seized at least 40 horses. Up to 17 horses moved to other locations in an attempt to hide them.  (photo)
7/11/09 Kentucky:  Sick horses taken from farm:  16 horses found dead, 20 found laying on the ground, near death, Friday on six different farms in Webster County. Another area has 94 horses reported as endangered by public tipsters. (video)
7/11/09 Nevada:  Horse found with brand cut out of hide in Nevada:  Officials believe brand removed so mare couldn't be traced to owner. Nevada officials picked up more than 100 domestic horses this year, including 90 in past three months, up from previous high of 63 last year and 12 the year before. Wyoming Brand Commissioner said state has handled more than 100 such cases this year, up from 50 last year and an average of six to eight cases before that. Idaho official  has dealt with about 70 abandoned horse cases over the past year, compared with the usual handful. (photo)
7/10/09 Oregon:  Horse rescuers praise new animal impoundment site:  Deschutes County large-animal impoundment site getting praise from rescue organizations. $16,000 pooled to get it off the ground to relieve pressure on already-full horse rescue organizations and get organized for increasing number of animals. Deschutes County handled largest animal seizure in state in 2002, when it used fairgrounds to care for 130 horses.
7/10/09 TheHorse.com:  Guilty plea in Oklahoma starved mustang cruelty caseAdopter pled guilty in state court to one count of felony animal cruelty for starving horses obtained through BLM Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Program in 2006. One found dead in March 2007, other died shortly thereafter. Veterinary cited starvation as cause of death.
7/10/09 Montana:  Placing dogs in homes could be long process:  200 or so dogs seized and held by county could be up for adoption as early as next week. Shelter manager worries about public coming to adopt these animals:  never exposed to kids; will be very difficult to socialize.
7/10/07 Kentucky:  20 Horses found starving and near death:  Deputies helped rescue get onto properties. Volunteers and donations needed to continue rescues. (photo)
7/10/09 Colorado:  22 neglected horses seized in Fremont:  Fremont County sheriff's office caring for the horses. Many of the animals are emaciated or have untreated injuries.
7/10/09 Maryland:  'Starving' horses given to animal controlAnimal Control takes ownership of two or three horses in a typical year; most go to Days End rescue. Days End has taken in seven horses, all starvation cases, in the past 16 days. (photo) (video)
7/9/09 Colorado:  Neglected horses confiscated in Fremont County:  Almost two dozen neglected horses confiscated. Animal cruelty charges are being leveled against their owner.
7/9/09 AVMA:  Unwanted Horse Coalition releases national survey results:  Findings from 2009 Unwanted Horse Coalition Study on Contributing Factors Surrounding the Unwanted Horse Issue now available on coalition website. Officials said study the first of its kind to assess the causes and magnitude of unwanted horse population in the United States.
7/9/09 Texas:  Dozens of horses, dogs rescued from property in Tyler County:  Investigators seized nearly 30 horses, 20 dogs and 2 birds. Sheriff said woman called and asked for help to arrange auction because she couldn't care for them. She never followed up. (photos)
7/9/09 Virginia:  Owners abandon horses in recession:  Problem plaguing entire county. Rescue designed for12 horses has over 30. Took in 45 horses last year. Taken in more than 50 so far this year. They blame over breeding and laws against slaughtering horses for meat for overpopulation. (video)
7/9/09 Montana:  Linda Kapsa pleads 'no contest' to aggravated animal cruelty charges:  Since January, cost of caring for animals has topped $157,433, according to county. One animal control officer has worked full time on dogs.
7/9/09 Ohio:  Dead horse's body found in animal cruelty case: Animal Protection found a dead horse, a weak horse and a weak calf while searching abandoned property. (photos)
7/8/09 California:  Fundraiser proposed to help sterilize horses:  Like cats and dogs, overabundance of unwanted horses in Santa Rosa County. Over-population makes it difficult to re-home abandoned or neglected horses. One solution: castrate stallions.
7/7/09 Florida: Abandoned horse found in Brooksville:  Starved animal found in vacant lot. Recovery could six months to a year. (video)
7/7/09 West Virginia:  Couple gives horse second chance:  Surviving horse from pair found starving is 600 pounds underweight, distrustful, and won't let many people near her. (photos)
7/7/09 Washington:  Senate Ag Appropriations Committee directs GAO to conduct investigation on status of horse welfare as it relates to cessation of horse slaughter. (text from report appears under 2009 State & Federal Legislative News)
7/7/09 Florida:  Malnourished horse recovering after being abandoned:  horse likely abandoned because owner couldn't afford to take care of it anymore. County animal services feeding animal twice a day and giving it electrolytes.  (photo)  (video)
7/7/09 TheHorse.com:  Equine shelter to receive vet assistance through 'voluntourism' project:  AVMA, gathering for annual convention, represents 78,000 veterinarians, including about 86% of the vets in the U.S. Attendees will have opportunity to volunteer at a Seattle-area equine rescue. Program came about after Hurricane Katrina.
7/7/09 Wyoming:  Roundup, birth control planned for Wyoming wild horses:  BLM plans to round up 495 wild horses in Lander area starting in October. Captured horses will be offered for adoption. Mares will be injected with fertility-control drug to reduce numbers.
7/7/09 States least stressedPredictions hint recession will end later this year. Still, unemployment, foreclosures and bankruptcies are likely to keep climbing.
7/6/09 New Hampshire:  Economy puts strain on horse rescuers:  NH Ag Commissioner:  horses have lost value and people can't give them away. Maine State Animal Welfare Department rep:  state seeing rise in rescues because horse owners can't afford to feed them. Maine rescue owner has 33 horses; has turned away 35 in the last two months.
7/6/09 Vermont:  Field-to-plate: Vt. college students try farming:  Students learning theory on organic crop and animal management.
7/5/09 Pennsylvania:  Horse farms and riders to tighten the reins in an unstable economy:  Each 56-stall barns once full with waiting list. Some families boarded seven or eight horses. Since recession, half the stalls are empty. Owners abandon animals at the barn.
7/3/09 Indiana:  Horse scoring helps local officials determine neglect cases:  Through Indiana Horse Council and Indiana State Board of Animal Health, veterinarian teaching  officials ins/outs of horse care to help deal with neglect cases.
7/3/09 Texas:  11 Horses dead due possibly to neglect:  Owner of horses leased land and hired someone to feed and provide water to horses.
7/2/09 Florida:  Two horses found slaughtered in Miami-Dade:  Latest incident reported in northwest Miami-Dade.
7/2/09 Texas:  Heat and economy taking their toll on animals:  Many problems are result of having more animals than the land can support. Good land managers not being hit as hard as people keeping large animals as pets, who won’t sell even though better for animal.  (photo)
7/2/09 Florida:  Horse neglect cases increasing-The sluggish economy has made the cost of caring for them prohibitive: Since first of year, number of calls for horse neglect gone from about one a month to one or two a day. Large animal vet: poor economy coupled with closure of slaughterhouses has left horse owners strapped, lacking an option.
7/2/09 Texas:  Becky's Hope Horse Rescue works to save abused horses:  Caring for six horses, rescuer says time may come when his land and pocket book won't be able to handle the horses. (video)
7/2/09 Drovers:  Obama's regulatory pick blocked over animal lawsuits:  Candidate for regulation czar, Harvard law professor Cass Sunstein has argued that animals should have the right to sue humans in court.
7/2/09 Kentucky:  Down economy taking its toll on popular horse shelter:  Totally private shelter at full capacity for months. Three full-time employees taking care of about 50 horses and the farm's 72 acres. Center relies on donations to stay open.
7/2/09 Florida:  Sickly horse abandoned in Brooksville pasture:  Owner discovered a malnourished horse in her pasture after seeing a pickup pulling a trailer stop nearby.
7/2/09 Tennessee:  Bobcat suspected in attack on Church Hill horse:  Horse had deep cuts around head and neck and bite marks on head.
7/1/09 Minnesota/Wisconsin:  WindChill Legacy Foundation takes its message to the kids, including a traveling horse:  Death of starving colt remembered in lessons.
7/1/09 Idaho:  Horse lovers take to auction. Group works to give local animal neglect laws more teeth:  Rescue buys four horses for $165. Group hopes officials will tighten rules about how and when authorities may remove abused or neglected horses. (photo)
7/1/09 West Virginia   Man faces animal abuse charges Man indicted for allegedly starving one horse to death and almost starving another.
7/1/09 Montana:  Experts debate Kapsa's competency
July 2009 Pennsylvania Equestrian:  Equine rescue organizations face challenging times:  HSUS maintains rescue database at Homes for Horses Coalition. Some facilities have stopped accepting horses. Quakertown rescue donations down. Selective in animals accepted; nobody wants companion horses. Turning for Home has no trouble with adoptions: eventing barns and show barns know they have good horses. Harder to get donors. One report: "major companies just laugh when I talked about becoming a sponsor; say ‘how can you even ask?’"

~ June Unemployment 9.5% ~

6/30/09 Louisiana:  Horse abuse cases on the rise in Union Parish:  Veterinarian has seen 10 to 12 neglected horses in the past year alone.
6/30/09 Texas:  Dogs, horse recovering at shelter:  Horse looked at by a vet and given to a horse rescue organization for care until custody is decided.
6/30/09 Salon.com:  Horses to the slaughter:  U.S. horses are meeting gruesome ends abroad, while the debate rages on: Are horses 1,500 pounds of food or friend?
6/30/09 Pennsylvania:  Benefit planned for horse rescue facility:  Founder is full-time employee and mother, caring for 28 neglected and abused horses in spare time, and often at her own expense.
6/30/09 Montana:  Hearing set on procedures for BLM roundup:  BLM hopes to use helicopters to help gather, monitor and inventory horses.
6/30/09 Montana:  Humane Society works toward bigger shelter:  Local Humane Society hoping to break ground on animal shelter. $4 million is needed to complete the project.
6/30/09 Illinois:  Owner of horses may face charges. Veterinarian says animals neglected for a significant amount of time.
6/29/09 Oregon:  Man who shot horse sentenced to 90 days in jail:  Told to find new home for horse, man took it into wilderness, shot it, left it for dead. Horse later found alive.
6/29/09 Texas:  Emaciated horse found dead on Central Texas property:  Investigation underway regarding the death of emaciated horse. (photo) (video)
6/29/09 New York:  Lawmakers, racing leaders to meet on horse abuse punishment:  Under current state law, equine animal cruelty a misdemeanor, and does not fall under “Buster’s Law,” legislation that makes cruelty toward cats and dogs a felony.
6/28/09 Indiana:  Once-abandoned horses finding homes on range:  Hard to find a place for a horse.
6/28/09 Indiana:  Times dark for horses-Rescues fill up; ownership costly:  Rescue owner says:  “City people don’t know what’s going on in the country, and if you’re not a horse person, you don’t know all this stuff is going on.” “The people in the horse community know, but it’s been going on so long, they, one, don’t think about it, or they know it’s wrong, but there aren’t enough voices (to stop it). Maybe we can start to change things.”
6/27/09 Illinois:  Emaciated horses removed from Center Twp. property Shelter representatives found the three animals outdoors in the upper 80-degrees heat with no food or water. Employees have been keeping the horses inside the air-conditioned shelter with fans.
6/26/09 Drovers:  American Indians support horse slaughter:  National Congress of American Indians has passed a resolution expressing tribes' views in regards to federal interference with their ability to sustainably manage horses on tribal lands, and supporting the reopening of US processing facilities.
6/26/09 Nevada Photo Posting:  Grey mare, brand carved out of hip, abandoned, turned loose in desert
6/26/09 Texas:  Ranch offers neglected animals a second chance69 males from 3 Strikes Ranch being cared for at Blackwell Ranch, being readied for adoption. 14 horses at Black Beauty Ranch can never be adopted out. Project has racked up $400,000 in costs.
6/25/09 Maine:  Maine man brings forgotten horses back to life:  Across Maine, horse rescues are filled to capacity. Saving these animals is often the easy part. Training them proves to be much harder. (video) 
6/25/09 Missouri: Authorities investigate a sickly horse: A dozen phones calls claim owners of horses not providing enough feed for the animals. One horse died; owners burned it in a brush pile. (photo)
6/25/09 Idaho Abandoned Horse Posting:  Gate ties cut and two horses left in pasture
6/25/09 Ohio:  Constitutional amendment on animal care backed by Ohio lawmakers:  Would pull together best expertise and operate in full public view. Humane Society of the United States said amendment would thwart meaningful reform in housing of farm animals and is a constitutional power grab on behalf of big agribusiness.
6/25/09  New York:  Protesters rally against owner of starved horses:  Author of pet column helped organize protest by 30-some people.
6/24/09 Kentucky:  Horse adoption fair and auction: Meet adoptive horses and support cause.
6/24/09 Kentucky:  Starved horses confiscated in Mercer County:  Nationwide, equestrians warned against leaving horse trailers unlocked at public trails, horse shows and other locations. Some have returned to trailers to find them occupied by unknown horses. Abandoned horses have become issue, as owners are challenged to meet equine maintenance costs. (photo)
6/24/09 Michigan:  Man charged with cruelty to horses:  Six horses euthanized. All but one of remaining animals rescued had to be tranquilized before being loaded into trailer for transport. Man charged with cruelty to 10 or more animals, a four-year felony. (photos)
6/24/09 Oregon:  Animal neglect: 30 horses and 2 mules seized by OSP:  Search warrants followed a month-long investigation. Animals taken to an undisclosed location to receive proper care. Sheriff's Department asking for donations for cost of care.
6/24/09 Maryland:  Poolesville man sentenced to probation for horse neglect:  Charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty for allegedly providing inadequate care to several of 47 horses, including three that died. Pleaded guilty; will not serve jail time.
6/23/09 NPR/Marketplace:  Horse rescuers penned in by recession:  Horse rescue centers dealing with increasing requests to take in animals; they're facing a decrease in funding. (audio slideshows)
6/22/09 North Carolina:  Abused horses ready to go home, but owners haven't picked them up (photo)
6/22/09 Oregon:  Many mouths to feed:  Nonprofits scramble to help horses and owners through the recession:  Financial donations to nonprofit rescue are one-eighth of what they were two years ago. Bend rescue with 100 horses goes through more than one ton of hay each day.
6/22/09 Nebraska:  Volunteer plans book on horses' rescue:  Among volunteers who helped with rescue, Jenna Huss wants to promote the good in the rescue at the 3-Strikes Ranch.
6/22/09 South Dakota:  New organization prepares to battle HSUS, PETA over horse slaughter issue:   "Americans mislead on important points relative to horse slaughter," organizer to make information part of mission. “PETA & HSUS basically thrive off of ignorance.”
6/22/09 Missouri:  Horse is one of the lucky ones:  One of 211 rescued from 3 Strikes Ranch in mid-April. Seventy-four horses died. (photos)
6/22/09 South Dakota:  Grandin challenges producers in improving animal handling practices:  “We have made a lot of progress over the years, and the public doesn't even know about it.” “We aren't doing a good enough job of telling our story."
6/22/09 Missouri Photo Posting:  15 head confiscated in Howell County
6/21/09 Wyoming:  3 horses at federal corrals shot:  Two horses owned privately, third was mustang that was part of BLM roundup and being offered for adoption.
6/21/09 Wall Street Journal/West Virginia:  As steaks mount, Hare Krishnas beef up appeals to save cows:  New Vrindaban was first cattle sanctuary in U.S. At its peak, had 434 bovine refugees. Population down to 80 because not enough money to support more.
6/20/09 California:  Rescue raising money to care for abused, neglected horses:  Cost $177,000 to care for 19 horses in 2008. About $60,000 came through donations; rest paid for by couple. Does not adopt out because it's expensive to provide proper nutrition and medical attention. People who have adopted in past returned horses because of time and money involved.
6/20/09 California:  Rescued equines also face eviction threat in Perris:  Owner scheduled for eviction; friends and neighbors have been helping her move 50 horses.
6/20/09 Wisconsin:  Spring Valley, Wis., horse rescuer helps abused animals find greener pastures:  18 horses living there with annual budget of about $65,000. Through adoptions, placed 185 horses last year.
6/19/09 TheHorse.com/Nebraska:  Arraignment set in mustang cruelty case:  Operator of Nebraska ranch and sanctuary for BLM mustangs and burros has waived his right to preliminary hearing; will be arraigned on more than 100 animal cruelty counts on July 14. Each charge carries penalties of up to 5 years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.
6/19/09 Florida:  Napier's rescue waives adoption fee:  Rescue has taken a large number of horses in recent months and cannot rescue anymore until some horses find a home.
6/18/09 Florida:  Nearly gift horses-Horsemen struggle to make profit as OBS sales plummet: Seller had $15,000 into filly in training/vet bills; 2-year-old sold for $3,500.
6/18/09 South Dakota:  Horse slaughter advocates raise $5,700 with benefit auctions:  Two benefit auctions this week raised $5,700 for a new organization formed to advocate for the resumption of commercial horse slaughter in the United States.
6/18/09 Florida:  Barbecue to benefit horse rescue facility:  Horses simply left in barns or barren pastures without food, water and medical care, condemned to starve and suffer.
6/18/09 QuarterHorseNews.com:  Horse slaughter update: Keith Dane, HSUS Director of Equine Protection: “We would like to know if there’s a true crisis going on out there, but I think a lot of it is anecdotal and not based entirely on fact and reality."
6/17/09 Arizona:  Abandoned horses a growing problem-Horses left on state land to fend for themselves:  Horse lovers and animal advocates are devastated to learn that horses are the newest victim of the economy. They're not being brought to shelters - people are abandoning them on state land. One horse owner estimates there's at least a 1,000 abandoned horses in Arizona. (video)
6/17/09 Florida:  Trial begins for horse abuse case:  Caretaker of emaciated horses kept on her property, says she's taking the heat for something that wasn't her fault. (video) 
6/17/09 QuarterHorseNews.com:  Eight of 13 states pass horse processing bills:  Legislators in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming approved measures urging Congress not to enact a nationwide ban on processing horses for human consumption.
6/17/09 Wyoming:  BLM schedules wild-horse adoption:  About 15 geldings available for bid, each saddle- and halter-trained. Minimum bid $125. Qualified adoptees must be at least 18 years old, U.S. citizen, have at least a 400-square-foot pen for each horse. 
6/17/09 Montana:  Breeder keeps 20 as county prepares for trial:  Back in puppy business. Has 20 English shepherds that eluded capture during raid.
6/16/09 New York:  Woman denies animal-neglect charges:  Pleaded innocent to 37 misdemeanor counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, and failure to provide food and water.
6/16/09  West Virginia:  Felony animal cruelty, ex-candidate busted for allegedly starving horsesMare appears to be about 400 pounds underweight (video)
6/16/09 Connecticut:  Horse ranch faces crippling rent increase:  16 horses housed at Second Chance Ranch; rent recently increased by 80 percent.
6/15/09 Oklahoma:  Horse rescue operation headed for foreclosure: Animal rescue and rehabilitation ranch in foreclosure and more than two dozen horses could be without a safe home in a matter of days.
6/15/09 South Dakota:  Black Hills group pushing for return of horse slaughter for humane reasons:  Example of problem cited: owner did not have financial wherewithal to care for three horses purchased at auction for a combined $10.00. Called on neighboring rancher to see what was wrong with one animal. It was starving. One already starved to death; another bled to death because it was too weak to stand and escape dogs that chewed its hind-end. 
6/15/09 Texas:  Central Texas man rescuing abused, neglected horses, one at a time:  Man has spent $6,000 of his own money to save one horse; he has four.
6/15/09 West Virginia:  Charleston man faces animal cruelty charge:  Dead horse almost completely decomposed in stall, horse in next stall barely able to stand.
6/15/09 New Jersey:  Mylestone Equine Rescue of Pohatcong struggles against economic woesCelebrating 15 years of rescuing horses, has 35 equines in its care. People have abandoned horses in barns and barn owners don't know what to do.
6/14/09 Rhode Island:  Recession hits Rhone Island horse owners Minimum cost to keep horse in state is $3,000/year up to $17,000. Aging horse population will need more care.
6/13/09 Colorado:  Man charged with felony for dragging horse:  Faces 36 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty in connection with lack of care of 16 other horses.
6/13/09 New Jersey:  Horses without homes cause a heartbreaking problem:  Cranbury auction had five horses left at his facility in the dead of night last year.
6/12/09 Texas:  Woman surrenders in horse abuse caseOwner of 58 malnourished horses that were seized by authorities in May. One was dead when authorities arrived.
6/12/09 Florida:  Lucky to be alive: Horse rips through van, flips another vehicle:  Florida Highway Patrol is asking that anyone that knows the identity of the horse’s owner call. Two seriously injured. (photos)
6/12/09 AMI:  Meat and poultry industry contributes $832 billion annually to U.S. Economy according to new AMI Economic Impact Study
6/12/09 New Jersey:  Horse abuse trial ends after plea agreement fails:  Charges filed by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
6/12/09 Montana:  Judge says she can't release seized dogs:  County contends animals aren't needed for trial, cites cost of care.
6/11/09 Texas:  In tough economy, horse abandonment increasing: 67 horses at Meadow Haven Horse Rescue. Some are rescues, others dumped, either tied to a fence outside of the center or placed inside a pen near the county road. (video)
6/11/09 Iowa:  Horses removed from Lisbon owner for neglect: 14 horse seized, ordered to pay $6,633 for care/rescue of the animals, along court costs
6/11/09 Texas:  SPCA seizes starving horses:  Houston SPCA seized three starving horses from man who adopted them in February. (photos)
6/11/09 West Virginia:  Horse found dead, another near death in possible animal cruelty case Felony charges expected to be filed.
6/10/09 Texas:  Fundraiser to help save neglected, abused horses Helping feed, rehabilitate and make space for nearly 40 horses.
6/10/09 Arkansas:  Couple gives home to abused horses:  Rescue is as expensive to run for its owners as it is rewarding. Caring for 11 horses; number grows by the week.
6/10/09 TheHorse.com:  Authorities seize Colorado horses for a second time:  Man charged with 28 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty in 2007, regained custody after judge ruled warrant for seizure was flawed.
6/10/09 Washington:  Horse rescue group moves on after loss of its leader: Founder sometimes gave up Social Security for horses. Costs about $5,000/mo. for 30 horses.
6/10/09 Montana:  Camas Prairie man arrested for horse abuse:  Man accused of abandoning 17 horses without food or water. Sheriff's department spent about $20,000 sheltering, feeding and finding adoptive homes for 13  horses.
6/9/09 California:  Newcastle woman says officer treated her like a criminal:  Previous owner had started to neglect horse when husband was diagnosed with cancer.
6/9/09 Mississippi:  3 horses rescued in Forrest Co.:  Three horses tied up and left in middle of  woods by owner. Rescue unusually active this year with 12 rescues.
6/8/09 Iowa:  Yellow River stallion finds a future: Thin stallion and pregnant paint mare roaming Yellow River Forest camp-grounds, presumably abandoned at the same time by the same owner.
6/8/09 North Carolina:  Pender deputy demoted surrounding animal abuse cases: Sergeant demoted after he helped rescue malnourished horses without informing animal control. Also seized animals/making arrests without consulting department, and without proper training.
6/8/09 Tennessee:  Abused horses get new homes:  20 head neglected/abused on farms in Jefferson County sold, most for just a few hundred dollars. One mini went for $1,000.
6/7/09 Colorado:  Recession exacerbates wild horse problem:  Wild horses left out in the rain, BLM in a bind, taxpayers taken to the cleaners. Failing to control wild horse populations will result in an environmental disaster, according to the agency.
6/7/09 Colorado: Wild horses victims of recession, too:  At BLM wild horse auction, 10 of 39 horses adopted. Most went for minimum $125. In 2002, more than 7,700 wild horses were adopted nationwide. Last year: 3,700. Backlog of unadopted horses costing government.  Officials say tab could rise to $85 million by 2012 if private adoptions don't pick up.
6/7/09 Tennessee:  Tensions continue at walking horse inspection area: Complaints that inspectors are over-interpreting the law, messing with trainers' livelihoods and families, too.
6/7/09 Pennsylvania:  Doing good by horses:  Adoption Society held fundraiser to continue efforts. Has placed about 400 horses since 2001.
6/7/09 Colorado:  Horses rescued from Nebraska ranch make progress:  Rescue took in eight horses from ranch in Nebraska. (video)
6/6/09 Oregon:  McMinnville woman sentenced for abusing miniature horsesTaking care of mother after stroke was priority, not horses. No vet care in at least seven years.
6/6/09 Arkansas:  Man to pay $8,500 on cruelty to horses:  Man tried to sell, later give away horses, no one wanted them because they were so thin.
6/6/09 Indiana:  Anderson woman charged with neglecting horse:  charged with cruelty to an animal, a Class B misdemeanor carrying a maximum 180-day jail term. Animal did not have adequate access to food or water; has since been sold.
6/5/09 TheHorse.com:  Euthanasia drug found in carcass compost:  Composting an option for disposing of carcass after euthanasia. West Texas A&M conducted study to determine if sodium pentobarbital residues remain in compost as potential environmental hazard. After six months, eight samples from compost piles contained from 0.008 to 3.16 ppm. Researchers recommend avoiding use of potentially contaminated compost as fertilizer. Care should be taken to compost euthanized animals where residues are less apt to leach into ground water or run off into ponds or streams.
6/5/09 Georgia:  Three horses abandoned on Sykes Mill Road near Climax:  Deputy responded to call in reference to 3 horses in roadway. Found horses were malnourished and abused. Searched area to find owner, who could not be located. Horse rescue farm took possession of horses pending further investigation.
6/5/09 Florida:  Lake Co. sees large increase in neglected horses:  Two years ago taking in 3 horses per year for financial reasons was a lot. Now getting three to six a month.
6/5/09 California:  Judge rejects bail increase in horse cruelty case:  Judge denied higher bail. Ordered they sell or give away horses and not acquire any more horses.
6/4/09 Pennsylvania:  Abandoned horses: A growing problem:  50 horses at rescue
6/4/09 South Dakota:  American Horse League teams up with United Organizations of the Horse:  Groups aim to take political action at federal, state, and local levels, protect private property rights, and continued right to manage, use, and enjoy horses.
6/4/09 Texas:  Horses abandoned in large numbersDwindling adoptions.  (video)
6/3/09 TheBloodHorse.com:  Bluegrass Warrior example of a 'wanted' horse:  AHC/Unwanted Horse Coalition designed to educate people on responsibilities of horse ownership. Legislating personal responsibility is dangerous. Advocating isn't so bad but takes more time to get message across.
6/3/09 Montana:  Dogs seized from Kapsa still in legal limbo:  Weary volunteers, handlers helping out every day:  Costs related to the case have reached $115,000.
6/3/09 Montana:  Judge studies request to allow adoption of dogs:  Judge questions authority to release dogs, comparing action to illegal taking of private property by government. 
6/3/09 California:  Rescue takes in, rehabilitates horses:  Rescue used to get two to three calls about horses needing a home a month, now getting that many each day.
6/3/09 Oregon:  More abandoned horses found:  Sheriff’s department rescued 2 fillies dumped along Highway 7. Three more rescued from same vicinity. All are about 6 weeks old.
6/3/09 Pennsylvania:  An unwanted horse poses a problemRescues overwhelmed with increasing number of unwanted horses and worsening problem affects every horse owner.
6/3/09 Colorado:  Rescued horses on view Sunday in Longmont Rescue took 8, including two geldings, a yearling and one mare.
6/3/09 Oregon:  Warm Springs seeks wild horse remedy Part of reservation for generations, population growth is problem. Horse meat processing facility considered.
6/3/09 California:  Prosecutor wants bail raised for trio accused of cruelty to horses:  Prosecutor will ask judge to raise bail after learning San Luis Obispo is investigating suspected animal cruelty involving horses belonging to one or more of defendants.
6/2/09 Connecticut:  Voluntown man mistreated farm animals, police say: two underweight horses that were the focus of an animal cruelty investigation
6/2/09 Texas:  Unwanted horse populations continue to grow:  On the rise; hard to deny. Warehousing horses not solution. Over past year, calls to rescue have doubled from horse owners who can no longer care for animals.
6/2/09 Oklahoma:  Charges filed in alleged horse starvation case; one man in Pittsburg County JailDeputy saw horses penned on property and colt running loose.
6/1/09 JAVMA:  Adoption day for wild horses to bring awareness:   First National Wild Horse Adoption Day Sept. 26. Nearly 33,000 mustangs roam federal lands in 10 Western states. Population exceeds BLM's targeted capacity of 27,300. Figure doesn't include 30,000 wild horses and burros in short- and long-term holding facilities nationwide.
6/1/09 Tennessee:  State horse meat bills on hold:  Advance in House, stall in Senate.
6/1/09 Wyoming:  Alliance unites horse owners:  Drafting legislation that would require humane handling/euthanasia of horse for any reason: mercy killing or to use horse for food.

~ May Unemployment 9.4% ~

May 2009 Journal of Equine Veterinary Science:  The unwanted horse in the United States: An overview of the issue
5/31/09 Florida:  Burt Reynolds to receive Equine Advocates award:  Honored for protecting wild/domestic horses and opposition to slaughter.
5/31/09 Florida:  Horse owners dispute animal cruelty charges:  Couple insists they fed and watered animals, only failed to worm horses.
5/30/09 Connecticut:  Man faces cruelty charges over farm animals:  Despite orders to provide better quality food and veterinary care, inspectors found no change.
5/30/09 Idaho:  Sheriff seizes more neglected horses:  Budgets about $1,000 a year for animal control; routinely spends 15 to 20 times that. So far this FY, has spent about $29,000.
5/30/09 Georgia:  Horse collides with car and kills driver: State Patrol requesting assistance from Department of Agriculture to locate the horse’s owner.
5/30/09 Kentucky:  After recovery, 20 animals need new homes:  4,000 animals/yr make way to (Knoxville area) Humane Society, which is in danger of closing by year end.
5/29/09 New York:  (Six) Rescued horses taken to Maryland:  Most challenging case since 1996.
5/29/09 California:  Felony horse abuse charges upheldRanch unsuitable for 100 head
5/29/09 South Carolina:  Seized horses stay with county:  47 horses seized, will remain in custody of county which expects to spend about $18,000 in the first month.
5/28/09 North Carolina:  Horses seized after failed purchase:  Deputy who spearheaded removal of horses demoted, tried to buy animal prior to arresting owner. (photo)
5/28/09 Colorado:  Horses seized after failed purchase:  Deputy who spearheaded removal of horses from Hampstead area farm demoted for his actions. Did not follow protocol.
5/28/09 Georgia:  Driver killed after collision with horse:  No reports of loose livestock in area where accident occurred. (photo)
5/28/09 Georgia:  Driver hits horse in Hall County; both killed Authorities unable to determine to whom the horse belongs or where it came from.
5/28/09 Colorado:  Horses seized from property 17 horses seized
5/27/09 Oklahoma:  Horses seized; owners say animals are afflicted with disease, vet disagrees  (photo)
5/27/09 Louisiana:  Animals feeling recession through neglect of owners: Past three months, Humane Society of Louisiana has seen 75 percent increase in calls from livestock owners needing financial assistance.  (video)
5/27/09 New Hampshire:  Woman charged in horse cruelty case:  10 counts involving five horses. (photo)
5/27/09 TheDroversJournal:  The United Nations and animal welfare
5/27/09 TheHorse.com:  Castration clinics snip away at unwanted horse population Attempting to reduce unwanted horses through subsidized castration clinics.
5/27/09 South Carolina:  Dillon man charged in horse neglect case (video)
5/26/09 Massachusetts:  Hampden woman charged with cruelty to animals after horse she was in charge of had to be euthanized
5/26/09 Florida:  Woman says animal control is harassing herOwner didn't have money to care for horses. County will nurse them back to health.
5/26/09 Oklahoma:  Starving horses seized (photo)
5/26/09 North Carolina:  Owners of 11 rescued horses fight charges
5/26/09 TheHorse.com:  National Wild Horse Adoption Day launches web site
5/25/09 Global TV Calgary:  From Stable to Table (3-part video)
5/23/09 TheHorse.com:  100 Horses seized, felony abuse charges for California family:  Authorities took custody of 100 allegedly maltreated horses.
5/22/09 Idaho:  Horse enthusiasts allege animal neglect Sheriff defends decision to not press charges against owner.
5/22/09 California:  Three will face charges in horse cruelty case
5/22/09 South Carolina:  Horses seized; donations needed to care for them Owners were trying to take care of them but overwhelmed by cost. (photo)
5/22/09 South Carolina:  7 neglected horses seized in Dillon CountyPeople obviously don’t realize that larger animals require a lot of care. (photo)
5/22/09 Montana:  County wants seized dogs ready for adoptionCosts spiraling
5/21/09 BLM/Colorado:  Abandoned horse found near Grand Junction:  Stud had experienced injuries from wild horses in area. Abandoning any kind of animal—large or small—on public lands is inhumane as well as illegal and punishable by state and federal law.
5/21/09 Texas:  Neighbors say Brazos County horses are starving:  Neighbors said they've minded their own business long enough.  (video)
5/21/09 Colorado:  Jefferson Co. man fighting horse abuse charges
5/20/09 Maine:  Horse Power: Maine’s multimillion dollar economic engineTotal financial impact of the horse industry in the state is $400 million.
5/20/09 Connecticut:  Rescued horses, some 'in tough shape,' going to inmates for care
5/20/09 Connecticut:  State seizes Kent horses:  Couple relinquishes 21 horses, unable to pay $15,750 monthly bill while case pending.   
5/20/09 Nebraska:  More felony charges filed against rancher in horse case
5/20/09 Maryland:  Poolesville man pleads guilty to neglecting three of his horses
5/19/09 Texas:  SPCA takes custody of miniature horses:  Some could be ready for adoption in few months. Others might need a year or more of attention. (video)
5/19/09:  Wisconsin:  Animal abuse investigated at Richland County shelter
5/19/09 The New York Times:  Authorities refine their horse sense (photos)
5/19/09 South Carolina:  Agencies seek help with seized horses:  Expects to spend a total of $18,000 for all of the horses within 30 days. Will deplete budget for the entire year.
5/19/09 Florida:  Man attempts to bury horse alive (photos)
5/18/09 Florida:  Starving horses in Ocala (video)
5/18/09 Pennsylvania:  Large animal rescue in need:  Society currently caring for 17 horses in need of homes.
5/18/09 Texas:  57 neglected horses need homes (photos)
5/17/09 Oregon:  Authorities detail horse neglect case (photos)
5/16/09 Virginia:  Raising money to help abused horses28 horses rescued last year, compared to 70 horses already rescued this year. (video)
5/16/09 Texas:  Hearing set on seized horses
5/15/09 California:  Convicted horse abuser O'Sullivan sues county:  Compliant alleges conspiracy among officials to interfere with civil rights.
5/15/09 Indiana:  Forsaken horses saddled with hope:  If (abandoned horses) had walked in front of car, it would have been bad. Letting horse go is worse than putting them down.
5/15/09 Maryland:  Poolesville man pleads guilty to horse neglect, sentencing scheduled for June (photo)
5/15/09 Oregon:  County removes neglected horses:  10 horses confiscated
5/15/09 Texas:  Neglected horses need foster care:  Estimate $500,000 for each rescue center to cover vet bills.
5/14/09 Alabama:  Nine neglected horses rescued in Covington Co.:  Nine horses were in 1/4 acre area with no grass, food, hay or water. (photos)
5/14/09 Atlanta:  Exposé on HSUS donations
5/14/09 Missouri:  Mo. lawmakers call for restarting horse slaughter
5/14/09 Texas:  Horse seizure strains rescue organization Veterinarian bills alone will cost more than $2,200.
5/14/09 Kentucky:  Kentucky Horse Park to assist abused and neglected horses Adoption fair will feature adoptable horses from several equine rescue organizations.
5/14/09 Colorado:  Starving horses becoming a sad trend in Pueblo County:  So far in 2009, 176 calls about cruelty to horses.
5/14/09 Texas:  Neglected horses rescued by shelters:  57 horses discovered  (photo)
5/13/09 New Mexico:  The Horse Shelter works to make abused horses adoptable:  41 horses at shelter. Volunteers work to prepare for adoption. Increasing number of owners calling asking if they can surrender horses.
5/13/09 TheHorse.com:  Colorado vets polled on unwanted horse, euthanasia issues:  77% of equine vets responding to survey had seen horses considered unwanted during past 12 months. 83% of cases involved inability to afford costs associated with horse ownership.
5/13/09 BLM:  Wild Horse Adoption Heading to Duncan, OK, May 28-30:  Adoption incentive pays $500 care-and-feeding allowance to adopters of selected older horses.
5/13/09 New York:  Local woman adopts horse saved from neglect
5/13/09 Arkansas:  Donations needed at Humane Society for two horses that have been extremely neglected (photo)
5/13/09 Alabama:  Sheriff: Man abused horses:  Ongoing problem for the past 3 years.
5/13/09 TheBloodHorse.com:  New alliance unites horse owners
5/13/09 Michigan:  Richey jury selected, trial starts Thursday:  Only jury candidate who admitted equine ownership was dismissed.
5/13/09 North Carolina:  Horse owner sues Cumberland County (photos)
May 2009 APHIS News:  APHIS supports “unwanted” horse study
5/12/09 New Mexico:  The Horse Shelter works to make abused horses adoptable:  Gaining trust of horse neglected, abused or abandoned by humans is hard.
5/12/09 Tri-State Livestock News:  Understanding the horse slaughter controversy
5/12/09 Tri-State Livestock News:  3-Strikes fiasco shocks equine community
5/12/09 Virginia:  Man faces 36 cruelty charges
5/11/09 Oregon:  North state horses are victims of economy:  Couple riding on BLM property returned to rig to find two horses they didn't know in their trailer.
5/11/09 National Conference of State Legislators:  Horse Legislation
5/11/09 Nebraska:  Texas group fears spread of disease from 3-Strikes ranch
5/11/09 Oklahoma:  New horse slaughter policy stirs debate in Oklahoma
5/10/09 Washington:  Tribes struggle with glut of horses
5/10/09 Oregon:  Man faces 5-year sentence in horse shooting
May 2009 UofA:  Welfare & abandonment issues surround horse ownership
5/9/09 The Horse.com:  Veterinary relief campaign provides vaccines to unwanted horses
5/9/09 Texas:  Horses taken from Neb. ranch getting new homes
5/8/09 Maine:  A recession is a bad time to be a horse. Equine rescues more frequent as people find it harder to buy feed:  State investigated 261 complaints of horse neglect or abuse last year. New England's largest rescue/rehab cares for 90 horses with $1.3 million budget; finds homes for eight to 10 horses annually.
5/8/09 U of Arkansas:  Welfare and abandonment issues surround horse ownershipAbandonment issue affects land owners, business owners, humane societies, rescues, law enforcement. Livestock auctions locking facilities to discourage leaving horses.
5/8/09 New York:  Horses rescued; three arrested (photos)
5/8/09 North Carolina:  Animal abuse charges: 10 malnourished horses
5/8/09 Maine:  No more room at the stable. Rescue operations across the state are filled with horses given up by owners who can no longer afford to board and feed the animals"The only thing harder to sell these days than a house is a horse."
5/7/09 South Carolina:  Colleton County horse rancher stripped of his steeds47 horses being nursed back to health after Animal Control seized them.   (video)
5/7/09 California: Neglected horse found in Potrero now has a new home
5/7/09 TheHorse.com:  125 Thoroughbreds placed through TheHorse.com listing
5/7/09 Florida:  Arrests made Wednesday in another animal cruelty case (photo)
5/7/09 North Carolina:  10 horses, 8 dogs seized; 3 people charged with animal cruelty (photo) (video)
5/7/09 New York:  Emaciated horses rescued, owner charged with cruelty
5/7/09 Nebraska:  Economic downturn sees increase in neglect, abandonment
5/7/09 California:  Recession forcing horse owners to adopt out or abandon the animals:  Riverside County Animal Services rescuing an average of one horse a day.
5/7/09 South Carolina:  Horses' owner disputes claims (photo)
5/7/09 Alabama:  Brewton horses show signs of neglect (photo)
5/6/09 Iowa:  Abandoned horse raises legal and ethical questions: Stray paint stallion, previously seen wandering loose in state forest, breaks into barnyard.
5/6/09 Alabama:  Disturbing trend of horse neglect (video)
5/6/09 UofN-Lincoln:  Options for dealing with unwanted horses are limited
5/6/09 Indiana:  Woman accused of animal neglect jailed on other charges
5/6/09 Oklahoma:  Oklahoma bill to help rescue race horses blocked
5/6/09 North Dakota Photo Posting:  Follow-up on LaMoure County herdmates
5/6/09 Nebraska Photo Posting:  Best Hobby Yet rescued from 3 Strikes Ranch
5/6/09 Montana:  County OKs more for dogs: Cost of care in abuse case over $114K.
5/5/09 South Carolina:  46 malnourished horses seized in Colleton County:  After getting complaints that horses looked thin, judge signed order allowing seizure of 46.
5/5/09 Oregon:  Neglect growing problem on High Desert Rescue has 115 horses, 17 rescued in last 2 weeks. Most cost hundreds to thousands of dollars in long-term care.
5/5/09 TheHorse.com:  HSUS, Doris Day to develop horse rescue and adoption center
5/5/09 Colorado:  Horses rescued in Nebraska get treatment in Colo. (video)
5/5/09 Tennessee:  Helping Hoof offers food vouchers for horse owners
5/5/09 New York:  State mulling a change in horse farm inspections
5/5/09 Oklahoma:  48 Horses dead, 51 neglected & need help (video)
5/4/09 Oregon:  Five horses surrendered after they were found emaciated:  Owner had fallen on hard times and couldn't take care of them. (video)
5/4/09 New York:  Adopted horses showing signs of improvement with new owners:  Still very thin, has skin problems, but has no active parasites.
5/4/09 Virginia:  Bedford County deputies investigate allegations of animal cruelty
5/4/09 Nebraska:  Rescued horses doing better
5/4/09 Montana:  Opponents of horse slaughter bill react (video)
5/4/09 Michigan:  Emaciated horse becomes Michigan racing champion
5/3/09 New York:  Local couple adopt two horses from Paragallo farm:  Up before dawn to feed their horses who require care nearly around-the-clock.
5/3/09 Illinois:  Carriage company sues HAHS to get horses backCo-owner and manager says animals not properly seized, not neglected, rights violated.
5/3/09 Tennessee Photo Posting:  Mini stallion running loose near Nashville
5/3/09 Oklahoma:  Oklahomans rescue malnourished horses: Will likely cost well over $100,000 (video)
5/3/09 Idaho Photo Posting: Horse (with broken ankle) abandoned on public lands near the American Falls Reservoir 
5/3/09 Oregon:  Too many horses: Northwest tribes consider slaughter facility for wild horses. Wild horses are icons of the West, but growing herds have become a costly problem. Tribes say the horses damage their land and need to be managed — maybe by bringing back slaughterhouses
5/3/09 CBS Evening News:  Recession hurts horse owners (video)
5/2/09 Montana:  Horse facility bill lapses into law
5/1/09 New York Times:  Why horse slaughter is necessary
5/1/09 New York:  Seeking to stop cruelty

~ April Unemployment 8.9% ~

4/30/09 Kentucky:  A burden unsaddled. New legal relief arrives for Kentucky horse boarding companies:  HB 331 aimed at helping boarding operations deal with fiscally abandoned animals. Stables must care for horses for a year before they can sell them. Can be charged with abuse.
4/30/09 Wyoming:  Unwanted horses: Slaughter the answer?
4/30/09 Alabama:  Animal refuge (photo)
4/30/09 New York:  Police arrest Town of Wallkill woman in horse neglect case
4/30/09 Kentucky:  Horse abandonment a major problem
4/29/09 Nebraska:  Horse death brings additional charge:  BLM officials determined three burros being adopted are dead. One horse may also dead.
4/29/09 Kentucky:  Charlestown Horse Rescue group helps abused horses
4/29/09 California:  Rescued horse makes recovery, looks for new home (photo)
4/29/09 Florida:  Man accused of neglecting donkey
4/29/09 Tennessee:  Tennessee lawmakers to consider horse-meat processing
4/29/09 TheHorse.com / Washington D.C.: Mustang bill heads to House
4/29/09 New York:  About 40 neglected horses given new homes
4/28/09 Idaho:  Abandoned horse in Rigby creates outcry:  Horses starve after owner took off. One dead; neighbors tending remaining horse.
4/28/09 Montana:  Session ends, Horse slaughter bill still in question (video)
4/28/09 New York:  Neglected horses recovering (follow-up on photos, below)
4/28/09 New York: Neglected horses in Wallkill  (photos)
4/28/09 Nebraska:  No more deaths after horse rescue at ranch
4/28/09 Arizona Photo Posting:  Multiple carcasses found on State trust lands
April 2009 EquestrianMag: AHC Issues Forum to focus on Welfare of Horse
4/27/09 Minnesota:  The Gelding Project: Helping the unwanted horse one stallion at a time
4/26/09 Nebraska:  More horses, fewer options spur neglect
4/26/09 Ohio:  Hard times, tough choices confront Toledo area horse owners: Exotic animal owner finding gift horses. Refers healthiest horses to rescues; neglected or starved animals fed to lions, tigers, grizzly bears.
4/25/09 Florida:  Abused horses taken to Hidden Springs Horse Rescue
4/24/09 Kentucky:  Jury trial for animal cruelty case: 11 horses dead; 10 malnourished
4/24/09 New Mexico:  Federal agency spurs people to adopt wild horses
4/24/09 Nebraska:  Horses, land both suffered at ranch (photo)
4/24/09 North Dakota:  Animal fatalities add up
4/24/09 New York:  Cruelty during a Prevention of Cruelty month (photo)
4/24/09 Ohio:  OSU prof denies fault in starving horses case
4/23/09 Oklahoma:  Abandoned Oklahoma horses another sign of economic spiral
4/23/09 Nebraska:  Horse rescue operation to continue