ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) rescued the final six horses from a private property after an investigation discovered they were living in dangerous conditions in Hazelwood, Missouri.
A press release from HSMO said it was the second rescue from the property since October, and a total of 15 horses have been taken from the property. The animals were taken to Longmeadow Rescue Ranch for veterinary exams and treatment.
According to the press release, HSMO has been investigating the property for nearly a year. The Humane Society's Animal Cruelty Task Force first visited the property in January after reports of unsafe conditions and treatment.
The task force provided the owner with resources to help them keep the horses safe and healthy. The task force said the owner could keep the horses if the task force was allowed back onto the property for follow up inspections. The owner refused to allow the task force or Hazelwood police onto the property, so the police department filed for a warrant to take the horses from the property.
The press release said horses were living with no water and were eating their own feces when they rescued nine of the horses in October. After Longmeadow was granted custody of those nine horses, the Humane Society made plans to go back for the remaining six horses if conditions had not improved.
“For months, these horses have endured dangerous and inadequate living conditions. Without the proper care and nutrition they need, they might not have made it through the cold temperatures arriving soon,” HSMO President Kathy Warnick said in the press release.
A court hearing to determine if Longmeadow will be granted custody of the final six horses was set for Dec. 19. If awarded custody, the horses would be made available for adoption on a case-by-case basis depending on the progress of their recovery.
Examinations of the six horses rescued Wednesday revealed that all the horses were suffering from overgrown hooves and severe dental disease, and some have lameness issues. One had an open wound.
If you want to donate to help with the veterinary care of the horses and the other animals in the care of the Humane Society, click here.
