For well over a decade, Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue has worked tirelessly in Cabell County, WV aiding law enforcement and animal control in a massive way to step in and help neglected and abused horses.
Not only have we covered hundreds of thousands of dollars in transport, rehab and care costs for an enormous number of horses removed legally in seizures or surrenders, but we have never asked the county to reimburse for the costs involved, though that is a county burden.
We have come every time we’ve been asked by animal control. The county’s agents have attended our state approved In-Hours /CLE service trainings for equine neglect cases, as well.
I’ve been there in court, prepared case files, testified, served to guide them through the legal process, and we’ve kept ACO and Deputies safe while handling horses, and Heart of Phoenix has always been happy to do all of this as a service to this county because it helps equine welfare. We are who the county has called when livestock / cattle have been all over the interstate, and we have made quick connections to get aid to them for that, as well.
The vast majority of cases where surrender or seizure resulted in the last 11 years or so have been based on an ACO visit and our feedback. A vet has always seen the horses upon seizure in a safe environment at our facility immediately after. Rarely, I’ve recommended a vet on site, but in a few cases, I have. It is a risk for vet, but sometimes, to make a strong case, it is needed.
In June of 2021, we began getting messages and calls about a situation in Milton, WV.
While I will not disclose the location, the horses have been visible from the roadway since before that time and currently likely still are.
Many times, for most counties in WV, people are afraid to report to animal control and the sheriff because they are scared of fall back from those with the animals if their name is connected. It is common for us to be who relays the complaint.
The situation from June of 2021 looked very bad, and we relayed the complaint. We get so many calls and emails, we sometimes forget to follow up.
Fast Forward to May of 2022, we began to get the complaints again on this same property, and it looked worse. ACO went out and gave an improvement period. That is unusual in a case that has been bad for a year, so I was concerned, especially when the owner reported a foal had just died to the ACO.
| Commissioner Kelli Sobonya 304-634-3147 304-417-0869 ksobonya@cabellcounty.org | Commissioner Caleb Gibson 304-526-8637 | Commissioner Jim Morgan 304-526-8634 |
We drove by on the county road to see the conditions personally, and we were shocked at how bad it was. We asked for a follow up as we were concerned the horses may die given their condition, being potentially bred and the intense heat.
Since then, a vet was called out by the county shelter, and she waited for as much as 2 hours. A deputy was not there to meet her, and when ACO finally arrived after Heart of Phoenix called 911 to get her a law enforcement offer there with her (standard and expected), she was not allowed to see the horses to make a recommendation. We have the report from that vet which we will take to the commission, as well as another vet’s statement that seizure was needed based on videos and photos of the situation.
There have been many things about this case that give me grave cause for concern, and while I do not know the owner, I do know the horses need an experienced equine vet to examine them. I do know that given the grave conditions and the long term recorded history of the horses being underweight, in ALL other cases I’ve worked, they would usually have been seized and legal case started.
I have been told by a person who represents the county owner is a nice man. The conditions the horses appear in are not nice. I’ve been told the horses look fine. You can determine that from the photos on your own. It isn’t difficult to see they are not anywhere near ok.
I will not share the address or names publicly at this time. It isn’t needed to get action, if the county is willing to step up and do what they have previously done.
What I will ask is that you go to authority that can intervene on the Milton Equine case (the sheriff is aware and will know which situation) and get this situation on track and handled the way cases have always been in this county.
To clarify, the County Commission CAN override lack of correct action by any other agency based on WV legal code. If they tell you vets have seen the horses, remind them we have written statements from the equine vets in question, and THAT is not true.
- The Cabell County Commission –
| Commissioner Kelli Sobonya 304-634-3147 304-417-0869 ksobonya@cabellcounty.org | Commissioner Caleb Gibson 304-526-8637 | Commissioner Jim Morgan 304-526-8634 |
- The Sheriff’s Department: https://www.facebook.com/people/Cabell-County-Sheriffs-Office/100064671790028/
Our WV Code reads:
ARTICLE 10. HUMANE OFFICERS.
§7-10-1. Deputy sheriffs as humane officers.
The sheriff of each county of this state shall annually designate, by a record made in the office of the clerk of the county commission, one of his or her deputies to act as humane officer of the county; or, if the county commission and sheriff agree, the county dog warden may be designated to act as the humane officer or as an additional humane officer; any person designated to act as a humane officer and all peace officers designated by law as a humane officer or an additional humane officer shall investigate all complaints made to him or her of cruel or inhumane treatment of animals within the county and he or she shall personally see that the law relating to the prevention of cruelty to animals is enforced. The willful failure of such designee to investigate any complaint made to him or her and to take proper measures in such case or to perform his or her duty in any other respect may constitute good cause for removal from employment.
We have helped this county so many times, it is so hurtful to see all we’ve invested to improve welfare for horses here ignored. We do not understand why this is happening, but the horses need help. We are told some have been sold and/or given away, so while it is possible those that looked worst are now gone, if there is any hope they are still there and can be aided be intervention, we must try.
