Helping Horses Take Their Stand

Animal Cruelty in Suwannee County, Florida

As we all know horse neglect is at an all time high due to the state of the economy. But for some it has been that way for a long time. Too Long.  

Problems exist in the area I live, Suwannee County, Florida and I feel it is my duty to be the voice that helps to create change for the beautiful creatures I have come to love so dearly, horses. I feel very strongly about taking a stand for helping horses

I live in a small country town. We have a lot and I mean a lot of animal neglect that just gets swept under the rug. I thought that the law was the law and everyone had to follow to it. No if and or buts. But I was wrong.

It seems that if you know the right people or our number one law man, the Sheriff likes you then nothing gets done. He is an elected official and wants the votes.

Now I know I am only 16 but I have studied the law and understand it perfectly.

I researched the “Florida Cruelty to Animals Statutes” especially, 828.12. Cruelty to animals and 828.13. Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals, that helped me understand the current laws so I can better help the horses.

The definition that the statutes puts horses under states they are an ”animal”  that shall be held to include every living dumb creature.

Now I know very good and well the animals are not dumb. Equines have proven that they aren’t dumb in the work they do with the children in Drop Your Reins and other equine assisted modalities.

Equines are very smart and have huge hearts. They feel just like any human does. Horses have souls and spirits. They have been my teacher and have helped lead me through the tough times in my life. So now it is my turn to help them.

Horses are considered property and have no more rights that a couch or a chair.

It clearly states:

828.12. Cruelty to animals

(1) A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

828.13. Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals

(1) As used in this section:

(a) “Abandon” means to forsake an animal entirely or to neglect or refuse to provide or perform the legal obligations for care and support of an animal by its owner.

(b) “Owner” includes any owner, custodian, or other person in charge of an animal.

(2) Whoever:

(a) Impounds or confines any animal in any place and fails to supply the animal during such confinement with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water,

(c) Abandons to die any animal that is maimed, sick, infirm, or diseased,

is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine.

(3) Any person who is the owner or possessor, or has charge or custody, of any animal who abandons such animal to suffer injury or malnutrition or abandons any animal in a street, road, or public place without providing for the care, sustenance, protection, and shelter of such animal is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine.

What are the adults of this world teaching the youth? My question is, ”How come the law turns it’s cheek and puts up with animal neglect, abuse and cruelty continually when it is found, and nothing is done to the perpetrators.

A friend of mine and I noticed a few local horses that were in desperate need of help. There were 12 horses living on the property and were in poor condition. There was also one foal, and two mares that were found dead.They hadn’t died from natural causes or humane euthanasia preformed. One mare was climbing what we call a gorge on the property and was to weak from malnutrition to make it she fell and broke her leg and starved to death. The other mare was about two years old an she was malnourished and she just lied down and passed. The foal wasn’t able to get the nutrition she needed from the time she was in the womb. She was born premature but still lived. She died from starvation as her mother wasn’t able to provide her with what she needed.

There were also tons of horse bones and skulls all over the property. Some skulls still had halters on them. Seeing things like this makes me sick. My heart aches for all the horses that have lost their life just because someone didn’t care.

After months of fighting we were able to rescue 11 of the horses. The man signed them over to the our local animal control on one condition, that he was able to keep one of them. He chose one of the fatter paint stallions we call Jake. It drove me crazy that we had to leave him there. As we were loading up the others he was begging us to take him too. Watching him broke everyone’s heart. But we had to leave him. I made myself a promise that one day I would rescue him too.

The part that is really wrong out of all of this is that the man faced no punishment for his actions. He never even had a court hearing and right after we rescued the 11 horses he purchased 3 more. When all of this was going on it was election time in our county and our sheriff was hoping to stay in office. The man that neglected the horse would be able to help increase the sheriffs polls so the sheriff didn’t want to make him mad. Our sheriff just turned his shoulder to the problem and wouldn’t do anything to help us rescue the horses.

Now if anyone ever tells you that because your young no one will listen to you they are wrong. Candice and I started calling every rescue and horse lover around. Mind you at the time I was 15 and she was 16. Farms, rescues and horse lovers in general started applying pressure on the sheriff. And finally the man signed them over.

There its already another horse that has been found dead and we need to rescue the three others before something happens to them too.

These horses need rescue and homes – can you help?

Please contact anyone you think that can lend any assistance, ideas, legal information or services.

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Let’s Be the Change and Take Their Stand Before More Horses Die

Tagged as: Danielle Herb, Drop Your Reins, equine rescue, Florida equine resuce, horse abuse, horse rescue, Suwannee County