31 Responses to “Sheriff’s Office, Animal Control Seize Dozens Of Farm Animals”

1. justin schiefner on December 22nd, 2011 12:09 pm

   I stumbled onto this story, but so agree with Mike P. You drive by and see the suffering every day but no one offers to help. I feel for the animals above all, but don’t assume this man knew there are groups that would have assisted him. Why not reach out and offer your help to him and his animals. sometimes people are too proud to ask for help but if you offer its not charity. If they are starving i wonder if he was as well. It’s easy to get in over your head and then not know what to do. I hope the animals get the care they need, the farmer some relief, and everyone a better insight into the pain of others.

2. mds on October 6th, 2011 4:41 am

   i dont think this man did this on purpose.i always seen someone out there petting this animals.he just needed to be to there were to many goats aout there.they eat it all down.it look bad and it got out of control.maybe he could be lead in the right direction and get his horses back.these people are really nice and i hate to see this.it does cost alot of money to feed these days i know.dont judge til you know the whole truth.

3. Lori on October 3rd, 2011 5:07 pm

   I live off of Williams Ditch on Handy Rd. and had to drive by this property everyday. It was a sad situation for these animals. Many days I would be in tears as I passed by. The horses and goats had nothing to graze on. Hay was not offered daily…sometimes I would see it once a month or so. The horses were fenced (with barbed wire) in the back 1/4 of the property…which was mostly trees and dirt. They had no room to trot and run freely. I did see the owners bring grain…but, as horse owners know, horses need to graze throughout the day. They had nothing to graze on unless the owner brought hay…hay was rarely on the property. The goats had cleaned all leaves off the trees as far as they could reach.

   Even as rough as these conditions were for the animals they had…they would keep bringing additional animals. A black pot-bellied pig was added just a week or so ago! They would have a dog in there now and then (not sure if they escaped or were brought home).

   Thank you to Panhandle Rescue (I saw someone from PER there on two different occasions talking with the owners) and Escambia County for seizing these animals…I hope they will live a better quality of life now!

4. obscene on October 3rd, 2011 10:29 am

   Please tell me thats not barbed wire above the chain link in the photo? Wow….just wow.
   I know we don’t use barbed wire for cattle because it tears them up and leaves scarring, and I can only imagine that it’s the same for horses?

5. NWFLA Linda on October 3rd, 2011 10:26 am

   mds, please keep calling about the hwy 99 situation. Is it above or below the 97A intersection?

   jw, if your animals are in “thrifty” condition because they are ill and in the process of getting better, I’m sure no government official is going to storm your property to take them. While you’re conversing at the gate, it might save some grief to show records/receipts for treatment given. Be thankful someone cared enough to phone in their concerns. I hate government involvement, but when the victims cannot speak for themselves and the possibility for abuse and neglect is present, I’d rather err on the side of caution. Those who are too ignorant or irresponsible/worthless or downright cruel are to blame for the necessity for some sort of “watchdog” agency. And, I don’t think PER is out looking for more horses to support!!!

6. creekshowerer on October 3rd, 2011 10:22 am

   “ducks dont eat goat pills”. – Creekbather

   Depends on the type of duck. Our muscovies will forage through the droppings of other animals such as rabbits and goats, often ignoring the ample amounts of layer crumble set out for them for days. The buffs and runners will as well, but I think thats more along a case of monkey see-monkey do.

   Overall, I agree though.. just had to clear up that one misconception.

7. creekbather on October 3rd, 2011 7:00 am

   you dont raise horses on dirt,, goats dont eat dirt, ,,ducks dont eat goat pills,.. . . they should be cited for burning trash,within one hundred feet of a dwelling ,.., and should be required to go to school on animal husbandry,,, and land management. .. sorry to say but they realy give black people , a bad name ,, when it comes to yard keeping. . that place looks like a bunch of hobo’s lived there, and the appearance of the property has decreased the value of everything on williams ditch rd,,,,nobody even wants to drive by there ..

8. 429SCJ on October 2nd, 2011 11:16 pm

   That horse looks poor, look at those ribs. The facts appear to exhibit themselves.

9. Georgia B on October 2nd, 2011 11:13 pm

   To mds please report this situation to authorities. Re Williams Ditch animals–I was in court the day the woman cried about her horses and I felt bad for them, BUT go to the pictures that accompany this story and see if you still feel that the animals were being well taken care of. It takes more than dumping some grain once a day.
   Good intentions do not take care of animals.

10. AL on October 2nd, 2011 7:33 pm

    Santa Rosa County actually has a “food bank” for horses if the owner is just struggling. But after education and asisstance they will still seize the animal if the owner keeps neglecting it. The Horse Assistance Council is volunteer and works with the county animal control to identify folks who need help. They have educational clinics, gelding clinics, etc. Good program that Escambia would do well to look at.

11. mds on October 2nd, 2011 7:02 pm

    thank god they got these animals when they did.there is another case ive called in on but nothing has been done yet and im not giving up.there is a man on hwy 99.he may not stare his animals but negelect is not the word.a mini horse has a rope tied to his leg and its cutting into his bone and the man wont let nobody go his property to get it off.got mini that there hoofs are growing straight up in the air.and a ton of donkies out there that are skinny as heck.he is a terrible person to let this happen.he dont care if the pony leg rots off.i know the rescue has there hands full.no one wants horses these days cause the feed is gone up so much.i wish people would donate to the rescue so they could help more.we go to horse sales and they cant hardly give them away.its such ashame they have to be sent to mexico to be slathered.

12. Mike P on October 2nd, 2011 9:03 am

    Your kidding RIGHT?
    We should all stop at every house here in the panhandle that we drive by
    and give hay or what every that person needs. THAT in your mind is
    what a good neighbor does? Well let me tell you honey, I would be
    dropping off stuff to so many homes up here it would bankrupt me the
    first day.

    Some people don’t seem to take care of their homes, barns, animals,
    schools or their children anymore and let me tell you, my money comes just as
    hard for me as it does for anyone else. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind helping. I help more than probably many of you commenting how WE should be the ones to buy hay for everybody who has animals and don’t take of them,
    but It’s not our job to constantly be forced to feed others animals, children or what ever. If they can’t take care of them they should not have them.

    Thanks to everyone who always does everything they can for this
    country. state, and county, and it’s poor, ignorant and negligent, what ever the case may be, and the biggest thanks to everyone who took care of this
    incident.

13. Mike P on October 2nd, 2011 12:15 am

    It’s a shame that people would drive by every day and write letters for years but never stop and offer help, leave their phone number at the door, or anything constructive. People love animals but will drive out of their way NOT to see them suffering, instead of dropping off a couple of bails of hay per week.

    I wonder why that is?

14. kathy's middle son on October 1st, 2011 10:30 pm

    Wait, Escambia County has a livestock officer?? Good grief.

15. AL on October 1st, 2011 9:52 pm

    SAD – there are legal steps that have to be taken. The owners must be educated and given opportunity to show improvement. The only way an animal can be moved immediately is in immediate danger of life. This animals are pitiful, but none in the photos appear to be at deaths door.

    After the criminal case – William can you follow and let us know where / how to adopt these animals if they are not returned to the owner?

16. jw on October 1st, 2011 9:05 pm

    Escambia county horse thieves strike again. I am 100% for treating animals right. It is wrong for someone to own something they are unable to take care of. However, I guarantee you that “animal control” will be running our lives, ten or twenty years from now. What if they decide that an animal which looks thin and sickly is justifiable cause to confiscate an entire farm? I’ve had plenty of animals which looked sickly even though they where in optimum circumstances and being medicated regularly. Good health doesn’t return overnight…sometimes it takes months.

    I will happily chat with government officials all day long at the front gate, but they are not welcome to come any further onto my farm. At least, not as long as I’ve still got breath and ammo.

17. SAD on October 1st, 2011 7:52 pm

    I just don’t understand why it takes so long to be allowed to remove animals that are obviously neglected and slowly starving to death. How very sad.

18. Chief Alan Spence on October 1st, 2011 3:08 pm

    THANK YOU Officer Stephny Nowlin.
    This type of situation is occuring every day all over this country. Your determination, knowledge and “HEART” for animals in to be commended. You were one of my best students ever, and I always knew you would do well. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. Few people have only a clue, what it takes to put a case like this together, and work it through. I hope you take them to criminal cout too. Wish I could be there to help you.

    There are people out there that do not deserve to have/own an animal. So, it is up to dedicated compationate people like yourself to take action. Also, It is great to see the asstance and support from fellow officers and especially from you Prosecutor. Thank you all for a job well dome. May God bless you and keep you safe.

19. aggravated on October 1st, 2011 3:07 pm

    There are two dogs near the corner of hwy 196 and Barrineau Park Lane. A beagle and a young brown dog. I’m guessing they were thrown out. It’s a popular place for that. I left them some food and water. If I didn’t already have so many myself I would take them but I realize with vaccinations and monthly heart worm and flea preventative I am tapped out. Not to mention cancer treatments for one of my dogs. I hope someone will help them.

20. bwayne on October 1st, 2011 2:26 pm

    When they first got the horses and goats, they had big bales of hay out there every day, but there hasn’t been any there for quite some time now. I know they were there feeding grain just about every day when I went by, but horses and goats have to have grazing or constant hay. I went by one day and saw a small goat was dead and it broke my heart…..and yes, it was a goat….not the stuffed animal they had left laying out with the rest of the trash.

21. grimace on October 1st, 2011 12:05 pm

    I hate to see this happen. If neighbors reached out instead of lashed out, I feel it would have worked out much better . I see them up there everyday, tending those animals. You know I’m not the only one. This couple have been clearing this lot for the place they wanted to call HOME. I have met them briefly, they seem like hard working people who could have used our help instead of this typical ” attitude by the neighborhood. It is sad.

22. Georgia Brazzell on October 1st, 2011 10:57 am

    Thank you Animal Control. Hopefully this will send a new message to people in this county that if you don’t take care of your animals, it will catch up with you. I have followed this case closely, and these folks had chance after chance to improve the conditions and feed the animals more. Although the animals needed to be removed, I am sad now thinking about the uncertainty of their fate. Anyone who can adopt one of these animals needs to step up.
    I know that Panhandle Equine Rescue has done the best they could to monitor the situation and get the folks to comply. PER’s problem is that they have no room for seized horses. PER is fostering 20 horses right now. Please, if you have love and can take care of a horse, go to the PER website and see the beautiful animals that are up for adoption. REPORT NEGLECT!

23. Gwen Parker on October 1st, 2011 10:29 am

    Thank you guys! We have been writing letters for a year now about these animals. I stopped going out that way because it was heartbreaking! Thank you Escambia County for stepping up this time! And of course to Panhandle Equine Rescue.

24. Lin on October 1st, 2011 10:21 am

    Good job PER! Now take a moment & send a much needed donation to Diane Lowery & PER. they need it to continue helping all the horses they rescue & the good job they do.

25. Diane Lowery on October 1st, 2011 10:03 am

    Assisted animal control in seizing several animals yesterday including horses, goats, chickens, ducks, a sheep and a pot bellied pig. I was honored to be there making history. Animal control seizing livestock! Of course, the sheriffs department and the livestock officer played a huge part in it. We have a new animal control officer that knows horses and recognizes cruelty when she sees it. Panhandle Equine Rescue is so relieved that Escambia County Animal Control finally has someone on their team who can check on the equines. We will assist as needed, of course. Thanks also to Sheriff Morgan and Adrienne Emerson; Assistant State Attorney for making this seizure a success. Also, thanks to all the deputies that were on the scene. It takes working together to make sure major seizures are done in a professional manner, ensuring the safety of the animals and people involved. It was a great day.

26. Crystal on October 1st, 2011 8:14 am

    Good Job! Not to complain but these animals have been in bad shape for a long time. My daughter drove by a year and a half ago. She told me about this sad horse she saw. Knowing Escambia county, guess its great they did something. Thank-you Panhandle Equine Rescue for all your hard work.

27. 4horses on October 1st, 2011 7:42 am

    Again, thanks to Panhandle Equine Rescue and all the good folks that called to report the neglect and abuse of these poor animals. It would wonderful for all our community animals lovers to step up and adopt any of these animals and give them a loving and permanent home. It will brighten your heart and in return you will get unconditional love from a thankful animal.

28. Kim Sargent (animal lover) on October 1st, 2011 7:11 am

    THANK YOU!!!!!! It saddened me everytime I drove by there! Those
    animals had nothing to eat. Im an animal owner, and I believe if u
    you own them, you have to take care of them, including what’s
    required by law, like rabies vaccines and coggins test yearly!

29. Leeann on October 1st, 2011 6:45 am

    Good ,its about time ,,, place looked like a pigsty ,,,and animals looked negated. good job animal control .

30. Jane on October 1st, 2011 6:44 am

    What will happen to the animals? Poor animals! I don’t understand why people get animals and then don’t take care of them! That is soooo wrong! I hope they don’t let him have anymore animals! If you can’t be a responsible animal owner then you shouldn’t have them! Animals need a certain amount of care and good places to live…they deserve space to move around and the right food and some attention so they don’t get hurt or sick. I’m not a big fan of taking people’s animals away from them, but some people just don’t deserve to have animals!

31. unchaindogs on October 1st, 2011 5:12 am

    Thank you for covering this, William. We’ve been following this situation for some time and are grateful the authorities have stepped up, seized the animals and hopefully charge the owner with animal cruelty. Many concerned citizens have called about the conditions there over the years

    Thank you Panhandle Equine Rescue!!!