Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Abused animal - call the authorities
Date:	4/19/2016 3:16:31 PM

Perhaps you have read in the newspaper about owners that were arrested and charged with starving a horse to death.  While I am glad that they have been charged, you know that horse did not starve to death overnight.  Someone probably saw that horse in the field getting thinner and weaker over a period of time, until it could no longer stand, and then it lay in the field for two days until it died.  I have no idea why someone - anyone, would not have called the authorities well before this point. 

If you see an animal starving please contact the authorities or the local shelter, because there are programs to help feed animals if the owner can no longer afford to do so.  Please contact authorities if you see an animal abused, tied out in the sun with no shade or water, or starving. If you yourself don't want to make the call, please contact the shelter or maybe a vet and ask them to make a call for an animal welfare check. 

Animals have no voice, so it's up to us to help them. 

Please spay or neuter your pets and please get them tagged or mirochipped.  The shelter runs monthly trips, for low cost spaying and neutering.  Contact the Lake Martin Animal Shelter for more information.  ( I am in no way connected to the shelter, but I am aware of these programs.)  And if have the desire for a pet, please adopt. 

Name:	Shortbus -	Reply
Subject:	Abused animal - call the authorities
Date:	4/19/2016 4:03:00 PM (updated 4/19/2016 4:07:25 PM)

Was that horse in Alex city?

If so send link to article, please.

http://www.wbrc.com/story/31757077/2-charged-in-tallapoosa-co-after-malnourished-horse-dies

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Abused animal - call the authorities
Date:	4/19/2016 7:05:14 PM

No, Dadeville.

Name:	10toLife -	Reply
Subject:	Abused animal - call the authorities
Date:	4/19/2016 8:37:31 PM (updated 4/19/2016 8:38:43 PM)

I totally agree. And I am starting tomorrow.  There is a trailer on Old Susanna where a horse, a mini horse and now two golden retrievers have been --or are now --out in the fenced in yard (dirt pit).    The fence is actually barbed wire. The trailer is in a shambles. The lot is worse. It's apparent this person cares nothing about themself much less the poor animals she has subjected to her ownership.   

The two dogs are unkept-- they have matted hair and are probably skinny -- but you can't tell because they have so much hair . They are outside in all weather. They lay around all the time probably because they have no strength. The horse was moved from there to a pasture down the road a few years ago. Next she got a mini horse.. which didn't last long. God only knows what happened to it. No she has two goldens. I want to stop and scream at this lady but she is never home. So if you know her you can tell her I called and shes a sick "B" for doing what she does to those poor animals. 

This horse story has made me so upset. Why people have animals they can't afford or care anything about is beyond me. Those people in the article lived at the end of a road so I am hoping that is the reason no one saw it. It was AWFUL and it makes me sick. I hope those people go to jail. A HOLES! 

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Abused animal - call the authorities
Date:	4/19/2016 8:56:48 PM

You can ask for an animal welfare check.  The authorities will check to see if there is a problem.  If there is a problem, then they will remove the animal. 

That poor horse.  Horses are sensitive.  He probably trusted those people.  It broke my heart when I heard about it.

Name:	10toLife -	Reply
Subject:	Abused animal - call the authorities
Date:	4/19/2016 9:10:06 PM

I love horses . People accquire them who know nothing about them. They are a huge undertaking because they can live to be more than 30 yrs old. They require ferrier work on their feet, horse feed, fresh water, exercise and constant care. Horses are sensitive-- you are correct. They can love a person and become attached to that person. The problem is horses are not dogs and they are not as cuddly and loving as dogs-- and people figure that out after they get them and lose interest in them. You can't just get a horse and throw it out in a field and expect it to thrive. It cannot possible get everything it needs from a fenced in pasture. Wild horses are able to graze in varied areas and know how to get what they need.. domestic horses do not have the same opportunity or ability. I am fuming about that horse. Can you tell?  My dream -- when we finally get to Lake Martin full time -- is to start a riding and boarding facility on the Dadeville side-- geared toward kids with special needs. Thank you for posting your thoughts. :) 

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Abused animal - call the authorities
Date:	4/20/2016 6:41:42 AM

I hope they are severely punished. That being said, it can be tough to tell from a distance. All old horses look sickly, because they are. A few years back my MIL had someone call and complain that she was starving our horses. I can't remember if we still had three or were down to 2. Anyway they responded to the complaint only to discover pampered spoiled animals that were very old. I would have felt guilty just putting a saddle on them, much less riding. What they found was horses with 80 acres mostly in pasture, 7-8 large round bales a of hay and a supply of oats in the feed barn.

Bottom line it is hard to tell an old horse from a sick horse from a distànce just passing by. Not defending abusing any animal, but even animal and child abusers are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Abused animal - call the authorities
Date:	4/20/2016 12:45:11 PM

That's what is great about asking for a welfare check.  In your case nothing was wrong, but I think that it was important that someone saw something that didn't look right and had someone go out and check.  I myself have an old dog who looks like he is staving.  He's got old dog lumps and bumps.  But he still has excellent energy and is as smart as he ever was.  But anyone checking would find that he gets excellent vet care and a diet better than some people eat.  But I can understand if someone saw him and thought he might be starving. 

The point is this - animals have no way to tell us if they are starving, abused or otherwise mistreated.  So I would rather have the owner being angry, than have an animal suffer or die because no one checked on their welfare.