police confirm seven horses dead in possible neglect case

[Maine-ah]

The investigation involves a total of 15 horses. Seven have died and eight are still alive. The chief said there is hope for the ones who have survived.

When the investigation began, one horse was found dead on the property. Another had to be euthanized immediately. Labombarde said a third was taken to an animal hospital in Wiscasset where staff tried to save it, but it eventually had to be euthanized as well.

The Lincoln County Animal Shelter, the property owner and members of the community have been coming together to help the animals, he said. Some people have indicated they are willing to adopt the animals. The shelter is accepting donations to help pay for ongoing veterinarian bills.

Police have had a necropsy, or post-mortem examination, performed on a horse to determine the cause of death. Labombarde said bone marrow was extracted and examined by experts at Purdue University as part of the investigation.

Police are not releasing the name of anyone responsible or discussing any potential charges in the case. Labombarde said the investigation continues.

He stressed that the owner of the property lent it out to someone else to use, thinking that would be a good thing. He described the property owner as an animal lover who was not responsible for the problems.

Donations can be sent to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, 27 Atlantic Highway, P.O. Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556.

The shelter can be reached by phone at 882-9677.
http://www.knox.villagesoup.com/news/story/waldoboro-police-confirm-seven-horses-dead-in-possible-neglect-case/295041

:cry:

[dustbunnie]

1. Hard to tell what happened to them. Seems like more than neglect.

Those poor animals!

[Maine-ah]

2. I am thinking it may not be too complicated

Owner probably couldn't keep up financially, which sucks and they should have tried finding homes for the horses...or...someone is a hoarder.

[dustbunnie]

3. The story is a little light on details... I guess because they won't state the COD.

I figure you're right. It just seems a little mysterious, and is it normal to do a necropsy when starvation or neglect is suspected?

[Maine-ah]

4. there have been some cases of sick horses in Maine

Eastern equine encephalitis.... it maybe possible that they're testing for that.

Symptoms in horses occur 1–3 weeks after infection and begin with a fever that may reach as high as 106 degrees fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius). The fever usually lasts for 24–48 hours. Nervous signs appear during the fever that include sensitivity to sound, periods of excitement, and restlessness. Brain lesions appear causing drowsiness, drooping ears, circling, and abnormal gait. Paralysis follows causing the horse to have difficulty raising its head. The horse usually suffers complete paralysis and death 2–4 days after symptoms appear. Mortality rates among horses with the eastern strain range from 70 to 90%.in humans symptoms include,high fever,muscle pain,altered mental status,headache,meningeal irritation,photophobia,and seizures,which occur 3–10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_equine_encephalitis_virus

[Maine-ah]

5. lol, I wasn't looking for recs....but an unrec?

someone got their Wheaties pissed in thismorning....or they're just an asshole.