Volunteers, Officials Team Up To Save Rescued Horse

March 6, 2014

Volunteers, family, friends, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Animal Control and the ingenuity of the Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue  came together Wednesday afternoon to help a rescue horse in need in Cantonment.

The horse, named Ebony, is being housed by Escambia County at Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment after being seized about a week ago from the 400 block of Crowndale Court.  Ebony was severely malnourished when seized, according to PER President Diane Lowery. A second horse seized from the property was put down by a veterinarian due to its state of malnourishment.

But volunteers have been working, almost literally around the clock, to save Ebony.

Tuesday night, she fell in her stall, requiring numerous volunteers to get her back to her feet.  She went down again Wednesday, with volunteers unable to lift her….until the crew of Cantonment’s Fire Rescue Engine 419 put their training and brainpower to work. The firemen designed a sling and used a ladder, chains, straps and a come-along to lift her. Once she was upright, a veterinarian was able to administer IV fluids.

“A lot of people have invested a lot of time, labor and emotions into this horse,” Lowery said. “I just oh so want to see her live.”

About 11 p.m. Wednesday, Lowery was preparing to begin watch over Ebony to make sure she remained upright and warm during the night.

“There’s thunder and it’s raining,” she said. “But I’ve got to go out there and check on her.”  Lowery said she had IV fluids, plus a group of volunteers and the Cantonment firemen on standby in case she needed help during the night.

“We can’t say that nobody tried for Ebony,” she said. “Everyone has gone above and beyond.”

Lowery said the owner of Ebony and the horse that was put down are expected to face felony charges. The case is currently under investigation.

Pictured above: Escambia County Animal Control, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Fire Rescue’s Cantonment Station and volunteers use a makeshift sling to lift Ebony Wednesday afternoon. Pictured below: Ebony, a malnourished horse seized about a week ago by Escambia County, was unable to get on her feet in her stall Tuesday night. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

21 Responses to “Volunteers, Officials Team Up To Save Rescued Horse”

  1. former crowndale resident on March 14th, 2014 1:43 pm

    Allen yes I completely agree with you.There are still many more animals living there & they all need to be saved.The animal cruelty should be taking all remaining animals from the property even the animals they try & hide.If you can’t afford to take care of animals then don’t have them point blank but don’t make the animals suffer.Thank you to everyone who is still fighting to save Ebony & all the others lives.

  2. Allen Green on March 11th, 2014 4:50 pm

    I had seen numerous times the neglect of these people on Crownsdale Court. I myself have called many times. I thank God they finally got there and helped. There are still animals on the property that are sick and need their help. Justice will be served if they all go to jail for a very long time.

  3. Former crowndale resident on March 11th, 2014 12:21 am

    I hate when people get a million animals & can’t afford to take care of them.I completely agree with the crowndale resident, there has been numerous people over there but why do they wait til now when the animals are half dead to take them out of them homes.And why didn’t they take all the animals,not just the horses & goats.There were a lot more animals living there then they captured.Really hope that Ebony lives & gets a full recovery along with all the other animals.What was the other horses name that died?

  4. Susan on March 10th, 2014 11:50 am

    It is going to take a long time to change the mentality in our area that animals do not mean much. Education is the means to do this. Please volunteer at schools if you have been involved in rescue. Kids need to understand the needs of animals and that they are not disposable.

  5. unknown on March 9th, 2014 1:37 am

    I was one of the volunteers. The firemen and police department get to much credit. They were a huge help dont get me wrong, however, there roll other than letting us borrow the comealong and just lending a hand move the horse was minimal. If it wasn’t for the county animal control detective I dont believe it would have been done with the same great results

  6. ABC on March 7th, 2014 9:44 am

    The condition of this animal is absolutely abominable, and there is no excuse as to why if this animal had been visited by animal control. and still became so emaciated…… and the other having to be put down, these creatures do not get into this condition in a matter of days or even a few weeks, this is a long term situation………it amazes me how up here in the panhandle very few horse owners have stables erected for their horses, these are domesticated animals, not wild mustangs and they do not have the stamina of the wild horses. too many live in disgusting conditions, with pure dirt enclosures, no fresh green grazing and only the cheapest of hay for a diet, I wonder how many recieve vet care on a regular basis? when we take on the responsibility of a creature we are responsible for its care, and they should be treated as we would wish to be treated if we were in their shoes, shucks many of them dont even have shows, and rarely see a farrier……… sad

  7. Crowndale resident on March 7th, 2014 8:15 am

    The people that owned all the animals seized on Crowndale should have lost them a long time before this. I’ve seen animal control at the house a couple times in the last few months. I don’t know why something wasn’t done about the malnourished horse then. She didn’t get this way overnight. Thanks to Diane Lowery and PER for all they do. Special place in the pearly gates for people like you.

  8. bms on March 6th, 2014 8:43 pm

    that is so sad… i hope she heals quick :(

  9. kathy on March 6th, 2014 1:48 pm

    This is so sad , The someone would would let there Horse get to this point, I Hope they have to pay a Big price for this poor Baby. Hopefully JAIL TIME.

  10. Angela on March 6th, 2014 10:48 am

    So touching to see people who have heart…. Diane I too hope see makes it. God bless you and sweet Ebony!

  11. Suzie B on March 6th, 2014 10:11 am

    Wonderful story about how our community comes together and cares so much for the animals around us.

  12. SFC on March 6th, 2014 9:58 am

    Great job everyone!

  13. BCaro on March 6th, 2014 9:14 am

    Great job by all…kudos to the Brothers at Sta4 of ECFR…great customer service boys…

  14. retha on March 6th, 2014 9:01 am

    oh my god breaks my heart. I would go hungry before I would let my horses go hungry. some people say they are just an animal but its god creatures and some people just don’t care. the laws are not stiff enough to these people that do this. thank god for people like diane lowery to help these animals.i have called her several times to look at horses and she was always there. please people give what your heart will let you give to help the service cause it takes mon ey to keep this running. god bless all who help .the people who did this is heartless.how could you do this to an animal?

  15. Tommy on March 6th, 2014 8:14 am

    I have known Diane for over 30 years, and she is the most caring and hardest working individual I have ever known. While all of us are hunting, fishing and golfing, she and husband, Ricky spend their “spare” time and many times their own money trying to save these poor animals. They are both tremendous assets to Pensacola and the surrounding rural communities.

  16. Ensley Mom on March 6th, 2014 7:45 am

    Thanks to all involved in this effort. How sad that people will let their animals get in to this kind of condition. God Bless. Hope the owner is held accountable and is severely punished. All of us need to speak up for child and animal abuse.

  17. Nancy L. Lambert on March 6th, 2014 6:45 am

    As a horse owner and lover of animals, this makes me sick to my stomach to think someone would just stop caring and feeding such a sweet looking girl. Thank god for people Like Diane and her team of Volunteers for all their hard work and dedication to their cause.

    God bless and Prayers for Ebony.

    V/r
    Nancy Lambert

  18. Honest John on March 6th, 2014 6:36 am

    When these people decide they can’t be farmers and ranchers anymore why don’t they give the horses up before they get in that shape. How many hours of community service will they receive? Special thanks to all the rescue people.

  19. Ron Hendricks on March 6th, 2014 6:32 am

    Good work by many caring and loving people, thank you for being there!

  20. Jane on March 6th, 2014 4:39 am

    This person should really be punished to the full extent of the law.
    A huge thank you to everyone who helped and are helping Ebony. My best wishes for Ebony’s recovery!

  21. troubled on March 6th, 2014 4:20 am

    I hope they put owner under jail!! To let an animal get in that kind of shape is bad. I have said t before, if you own any animal you and you alone are responsible for it. That means you feed, water and give shelter for it. You don’t have to be rich to give care and love, you just have to give a crap.
    Me just saying
    I want to thank all the people who are caring for the horse that is still a live!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You people are GREAT!!!!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News