PLEASE READ: Fw: Horses in Bend

[Guest guest]

Horses in BendDear fellow animal lovers,

 

I am forwarding this message from an animal rescue organization in Oregon re the

plight of 114 horses found in terrible shape near Bend, OR. Following is the

original email and then an update. The good news is that, with proper food and

medical attention, most of the horses CAN BE SAVED. A fund has been established

specifically to pay for the food, supplies and medical care for the horses, some

of whom will be having babies in the next few weeks. It takes $60 a week to

care for one healthy horse. Please help if you can, and please forward this

message to any other " animal " people you know who might be able to help.

Thanks, and let's hope most of these animals survive. Take care, and Happy

Holidays.

 

Nadine

 

-

Wayne S. Geiger

LH Distribution

Cc: Lighthouse Board

Thursday, December 05, 2002 2:22 PM

Horses in Bend

 

 

 

Please Post:

 

Below is the link to KOIN TV's story on the horses found in Bend.

 

http://www.koin.com/webnews/20023/20021205_horses.shtml

 

 

 

114 HORSES FOUND IN TERRIBLE CONDITIONS IN BEND.

 

 

Deschutes County, OR - Yesterday, December 3, the Deschutes County Sheriff's

Office executed a search warrant for 1st Degree Animal Abuse to a Bend resident

located on Moffit Road. The Sheriff's Office found 114 horses in various stages

of neglect including some so crippled that they should be put down. Two

veterinarians were on scene to evaluate the animals' condition and give any

medical treatment required.

 

As the investigation continues, the horses will be housed at various locations

mostly private residences. " We never anticipated a case of this magnitude when

we budgeted last year, " said Sheriff Les Stiles of the Deschutes County

Sheriff's Office. " Our primary focus as the investigation continues is to

provide care for the animals while we seek a long-term resolution. This case

will be catastrophic to our budget. " It takes $60 a week to care for one healthy

horse.

 

It appears at this point that approximately 80 percent of the horses can be

saved if food, water, and worming treatment are provided to them. Some of the

horses' hooves were 12 inches long. The Oregon Humane Society is providing

technical assistance specific to processing a case of this size.

 

Donations to cover the cost of the electricity, food, supplies, and care of the

horses can be made to the Bank of the Cascades 1100 N.W. Wall Street Bend,

Oregon 97701 Attn: Save the Horses Fund.

 

 

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office

63333 Highway 20 West

Bend, Oregon 97701

(541) 388-6655

Contact: Sheriff Les Stiles

 

MEDIA RELEASE

 

BEND, OREGON - December 6, 2002

 

 

EFFORT TO 'SAVE THE HORSES' CONTINUES - NEW CHALLENGES HAVE ARISEN

 

Local veterinarians have transferred all of the horses seized from the Nichol's

property in eastern Deschutes County to the Deschutes County Fairgrounds for

triage and treatment. The process of worming, innoculating, and evaluating the

medical condition of each individual horse has begun and is expected to take at

least one week.

 

All of the horses are under their optimum weight and many have significant

medical problems that are going to be addressed. The horses are being fed

appropriate amounts of hay and have access to water.

 

" The most immediate concern " , says Sheriff Les Stiles, " is the 20 mares ready to

foal sometime within the next 2 weeks. We're trying to secure space to

accommodate these animals and we need to find people who are experienced with

the foaling. We don't know what kind of shape the newborns will be in - given

the poor health of the mares - but we do know the number of animals will

increase significantly and so will the costs of caring for them. "

 

In addition to the 20 mares that are going to foal in the near future, the

veterinarians working with the horses estimate a significant number of mares are

also going to foal in the coming months. At this point, it is possible the

number of horses being cared for may exceed 200 before the case is finally

adjudicated and a disposition of the horses is arrived at the courts.

 

The Deschutes County Fairgrounds is hosting an evening with country western

singer, Charlie Daniels, Saturday, December 7th. Sponsors of the event have

generously donated a portion of every ticket sold to the 'Save the Horses' fund.

Additionally, for every person who brings a halter or lead rope to the concert,

the ticket cost will be reduced by $1.00. KSJJ Radio will have a mechanical

Bull at the fairgrounds and is donating 100% of the proceeds to the 'Save The

Horses' fund.