Horse neglected, vets want justice

GRAND BAY, Ala. (WALA) - Save a Stray volunteers are nursing a horse back to health after Mobile County Animal Control said they needed help.

"It’s one of the worst I've ever seen,” said rescue volunteer Susan Woods.

The horse that Save a Stray volunteers named Shadow is extremely skinny and his face is badly injured from a fight with another horse.

"The injury had been left alone, not treated properly. It started to dry so the skin was hanging in dreadlocks from him face,” said veterinary technician Stephanie Williamson.

Save a Stray volunteers said the horse was one of four or five living in unhealthy conditions.

"The others were standing in paddock areas built with tin standing in ankle deep mud. There was no grazing around for the horses, and they’re in a tiny backyard," said Woods.

Williamson said as a vet tech, she sees numerous cases involving animal cruelty and neglect. She wants animal owners held accountable.

"So many times people see a case and instead of telling the authorities, just the neighbors or a rescue group is told," Williamson said.

Mobile County humane officers said in order to press charges against an owner, there must be intentional cruelty, mistreatment or neglect.

In this case, officials said the homeowner was feeding the horse. 

"There was feed around. Not much, but he was trying to care for the horses. He was also trying to take care of the wound on the horse’s face with a home remedy,” said County Humane Officer Carmelo Miranda.

The owner was given two weeks, and if conditions don't get better, officials said the other horses will be removed from the owner. 

"I want to see a place to house the horses, more feed to care for them, and acceptable conditions for the horses to live,”said Officer Miranda.

Officials said if the owner is charged with animal cruelty to the horse, the highest penalty possible is a Class-B misdemeanor.

That's because horses are under the livestock category.

Officer Miranda said that may need to change.

"We need the laws to be more detailed. Things have changed over the years and the laws need to change with them," Miranda said.

To bring about harsher penalties for those who abuse or neglect animals, Miranda said state legislators need to be contacted.

In the meantime, he said it’s necessary to report any neglect you see to an animal.

To contact your legislative representative click here.

For Mobile County Animal Control click  here.