KTRE.com Lufkin and Nacogdoches |Equine Humane Society seeks care for seized horses

Equine Humane Society seeks care for seized horses

True Blue Animal Rescue (TBAR) President Melanie DeAeth received a neglect complaint concerning Hopkins County horse owner Carol Paselk earlier this year.

When she discovered the condition of the horses at the property, she contacted Jennifer Williams, Ph.D. of Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society (BEHS).  DeAeth and Williams agreed that the horses appeared to be neglected:  They lacked proper food, access to potable water and necessary medical attention.

On Saturday, May 9, 2009, volunteers from TBAR and BEHS arrived at the owner's property accompanied by officers from the Hopkins County Sheriff's Department and Sulphur Springs Police Department.  The officers served the owner, Carol Paselk, with a warrant to remove all horses from the property.  Volunteers found 57 horses living on the property in unsanitary conditions and without access to sufficient food and water.  They also discovered one deceased horse.  All living horses were removed and relocated to safe holding facilities.  They are currently being examined by veterinarians and farriers and have been started on re-feeding programs. 

The case will be heard on Tuesday, May 19^th at 1:30 PM in Sulphur Springs.  At that time, evidence on the horses' condition will be presented, and the owner will have a chance to present evidence.  The Justice of the Peace who presides over the case will then determine whether or not the horses are neglected.  If she agrees that the horses were neglected, she can award them to the rescues to rehabilitate and eventually rehome.

Rehabilitation of the animals will take several months and cost the organizations thousands of dollars.  If you would like to make a contribution to assist with the animals' rehabilitation or would like to become a foster care-giver for these or other neglect case horses, please contact Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society or True Blue Animal Rescue. 

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society

(888) 542 5163 - info@bluebonnetequine.org - www.bluebonnetequine.org

True Blue Animal Rescue

(936) 878 2349  - help@t-bar.og - www.tbar.org