Dead, Neglected Horses Found on Albemarle Farm

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Updated: 7:36 PM Feb 24, 2012 Dead, Neglected Horses Found on Albemarle Farm Police found horses neglected and left for dead on one Albemarle County farm, but it’s not an isolated incident. Authorities say horse neglect is on the rise. Posted: 5:31 PM Feb 24, 2012 Reporter: Jessica Jaglois Email Address: jessica.jaglois@newsplex.com

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February 24, 2012

Albemarle County Police say they’re seeing an increase in the number of neglected and abused horses in the area. And in one of the most recent cases, one couple is facing charges.

Authorities say a concerned neighbor called police earlier this month and reported seeing a dead horse in a field at a farm on Jefferson Mill Road. But what they found was much worse.

Police tell CBS19 four dead horses, three of which were reduced to decomposed carcasses, were hidden under brush and sticks. Eight other horses were found malnourished, their bones visible and bellies swollen.

“With the dead horses, this was pretty bad,” said Larry Crickenberger, an Albemarle County Animal Control officer. “The quality of the hay there was very poor and there was no true grass. They were not getting any supplement feeding.”

Animal Control officers seized the remaining eight horses and are nursing them back to good health in a rescue area. The couple, whose names have not been released, have warrants out for their arrest.

Crickenberger says the struggling economy has led to a significant increase in the number of neglected horses. “It appears to be folks that want to try and do better for the horses, but in reality, due to the economy and lack of care, the horses end up going downhill,” he said.

Officers say the neglect and abuse has to stop. They’re prepared to charge anyone else who takes on a horse and leaves it to starve.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Wanda Location: ! on Feb 28, 2012 at 08:56 AM

There is no excuse for this, if you can't afford to feed and care for a horse, let alone horses (and they had several), then give them to someone who will. Times are tough, but this is no reason to starve animals. My husband is unemployed, and has been for over 2 years, but we take care of the animals. Our horses has no idea times are tough. JAIL TIME!

Posted by: My 2cents on Feb 27, 2012 at 01:45 PM

All these people had to do was reach out to others in the community for help for these horses. There are many people in that area that own horses and would have helped out. Giving the horses away to good homes wouldve been an option as well. Yes times are hard and feed is expensive, however my horses eat better than I do, period. The least the courts could do is ban these people from owning horses again.

Posted by: The Dude Location: Greene County on Feb 27, 2012 at 11:09 AM

The owners should get exactly the same punishment as the horse/livestock have gone through. Another prime example of "Four legs good, two legs bad!"

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