Authorities Seize Three Starving Horses Near Century

May 28, 2015

Authorities seized three severely malnourished horses near Century Wednesday afternoon.

Escambia County Animal Control, Panhandle Equine Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office seized the horses from a property in the 2500 block of Highway 168, near Shaw Road.

“All of the horses were thin, two of them were emaciated. “They didn’t have anything to eat, and they were in really bad shape,” PER President Diane Lowery said. “I’m really glad we have them now, and they will be able to get the care that they need…it will be a long road for all three of them.”

The mare — now named Lisa, Grace and Hope — will be rehabilitated by PER.

Meanwhile, the law enforcement investigation into the incident, with evidence to be turned over to the State Attorney’s Office.

“People need to know that if they are not feeding and taking care of their horses they are going to have to deal with a judge,” Lowery said.

The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens with a mission to rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines. PER is authorized by the court system to investigate equine cruelty in Escambia County.

For more information on Panhandle Equine Rescue and how to donate to the organization visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org. The group is specifically seeking donation’s to help with the care of the recently seized horses in their care.

Pictured: Horses seized Wednesday from a property on Highway 168 west of Century. The horses are pictured at Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment where they are receiving care. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

30 Responses to “Authorities Seize Three Starving Horses Near Century”

  1. foodstamps on June 1st, 2015 7:17 pm

    @ awful and football mom

    Its unfair to think of living beings less fortunate than ourselves (who have no voice in society) to do without the basic essential to survive which is food….water..shelter.

  2. Glory Bee on May 30th, 2015 7:25 am

    For anyone that really wants to help the horses …… being a Foster Home for Panhandle Equine Rescue will help save another life. Their facility is in need of getting some horses out into Foster Homes so it will open up another space for another horse in real trouble. Donations are great, but Foster Homes are really important.

  3. Just a thought on May 29th, 2015 10:25 pm

    @ Just so you know. Glad you said it was irresponsible, before saying the owner had passed away a while back. Because there is absolutely no excuse whatsoever for this, too many other avenues to take, if the person left to take care of the loved ones animals and any other family members that chose to ignore what they were seeing, should be totally ashamed! How do you think the one that passed would feel now? And just how long has the passing been, a week, a year? This is just plain sorry!

  4. AnimalLover on May 29th, 2015 2:20 pm

    Animals of all kinds, big or small, are a luxury, not a necessity. We should be be honored to have God’s creatures to take care of and not mistreat them! If you can’t afford them, don’t get them. A lot of parents get them for children, when the new wears off, what happens? What are we then teaching them? Rescue and donate!

  5. daniel on May 29th, 2015 12:14 pm

    There was a similar case a few months ago, my question is why did the animals have to get in this condition before action was taken?

  6. awful on May 29th, 2015 11:22 am

    If someone with horses can’t take care of them Then give them away they don’t need food stamps to feed horses they need let someone have or call the annual shelter to get them don’t let them starve

  7. Crystal H on May 29th, 2015 9:32 am

    So heart breaking to see the neglect. I’m a softy for horses and grew up around them as a child and I have two as neighbors right now. I’m glad to know there is such a place for the abused equine to get help. Thank you for having the gentle hearts to take care of these gentle giants. Prayers for the regained health of the horses and that the donations are surpassed to help another one in need.

  8. Football Mom on May 29th, 2015 8:46 am

    @ Mary – You really just said “Food Stamps for Animals”……………I have no words….

  9. Georgia Brazzell on May 28th, 2015 7:16 pm

    I see a question was asked re vets helping. We have had tons of support from the military. Not so much vets, but active duty. In fact on the PER Facebook page is a very heartfelt letter from a young lady in the military who volunteered regularly with PER before she got orders. Volunteers are always needed. Again on the website it gives you an idea of how volunteers can help.

  10. Georgia Brazzell on May 28th, 2015 7:12 pm

    Some people do not know that PER makes a lifetime commitment to any animal it rescues. For example at least 2 adopted equines came back to PER this year for various reasons. Please use the blue link in the article to go to the website to check out how to donate or mail a donation to Panhandle Equine Rescue, P.O. Box 777, Cantonment, Fl 32533. Now imagine if there was no PER to step up and give these horses the care they need. This year is the 10th year PER has been in the community and it has impacted hundreds of animals literally. Anything you can do is greatly appreciated, so this organization can continue doing what they do so well. The outpouring of love to the animals from the volunteers is truly amazing. I think that is one thing that helps some of them heal.

  11. jeeperman on May 28th, 2015 3:18 pm

    Please do not relate the Humane Society with County Animal Control.
    They are NOT the same entity.
    PER has a very close relationship with Escambia County and the Animal Control Department.
    If Animal Control was called numerous times, I would be very surprised if they did not immediately contact PER.

  12. Margie Hays on May 28th, 2015 2:23 pm

    These necessary seizures are unsettling enough, but with the potential legal ramifications, we can’t know who is accountable yet. PER and their volunteers do a great job, but it REALLY does take a team effort. We have only a few animal cruelty inspectors and they handle much of the Panhandle. The sheriff dept is great and is always willing to help when needed. PER needs immediate monetary assistance. Host a bake sale, yard sale, etc and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. Hay is always going to be a steady expense year-round, but emaciates horses like these will need specialty feed and nutrients along with intensive veterinary care to give them a fighting chance to recover. Our community rallies behind our neighbors, and here is a definite need that can be met. Prayers going up for these creatures and their new caretakers and veterinary caregivers.

  13. Andrea on May 28th, 2015 2:21 pm

    Thank you Panhandle Equine Rescue. Now that we know about your gracious services in helping abused horses, how about you give us an address that we can donate money. I imagine the upkeep on abused and/or malnourished horses is pricey. Also, do vets donate their services to help out PER?

  14. dee on May 28th, 2015 1:33 pm

    I see a lot of people jumping to conclusions and being very judgemental.
    Apparently someone DID try to get help from the humane society, but obviously you need to throw PER in there to get anything done. Also if the owner passed away there is no way he/she can be held responsible. However, the caretakers of the estate should have placed the horses with someone who could take care of them.
    Food Stamps for animals? Are you kidding me right now?

  15. jeeperman on May 28th, 2015 1:25 pm

    The owner passing does not excuse this occurrence.
    If the horses were neglected to this extreme, I can only assume the next of kin or heirs do not care if the property is up for grabs?

  16. Tiffany on May 28th, 2015 1:00 pm

    I love horses and I can’t stand to see horses or any animal look like this… I’m sure whoever owned these horses wouldn’t go without eating but I do think they should b starved and see how they like it!!!!!

  17. John Steadham on May 28th, 2015 12:01 pm

    Breaks my heart to see anyone allows this kind of cruelty to any animal or human. As a lover of all animals and raised around farm animals… They all have needs and are helpless unless provided for by there owners. All animals experience hurt and have desires. It truly is a reflection of ones low character to allow such suffering!!!!

  18. Just so you know on May 28th, 2015 11:24 am

    Doesn’t excuse irresponsibility but the owner of the horses passed away a while back.

  19. mary on May 28th, 2015 9:40 am

    wh;y cant the people who own the horses get food stamps for the animals they can not feed or provide for…….they are living beings who need to eat. to survive..just like humans….i dont get it……poor horses starving just because of stupid people who dont care about responsiblility.

  20. hayhay on May 28th, 2015 9:31 am

    honest john

    The reason people can have animals they cant take care …provide for…..is the same reason people can have babies and cant provide for them……go firgure?????

  21. Sedition on May 28th, 2015 9:12 am

    When the former owners stand before the judge, they should be as thin as the horses.
    Don’t feed them a bite while they are in jail and show them video of the horses eating their fill.

  22. C on May 28th, 2015 8:52 am

    Animal control was called several times by a neighbor. Nothing was ever done until she was referred to PER. They responded fairly quickly and rescued the horses. Just wanted everyone to know that someone did try to help sooner.

  23. Walnut Hill on May 28th, 2015 8:06 am

    God Bless PER! They do a wonderful job and if you have any spare cash, please help them out.

  24. Dennis on May 28th, 2015 7:30 am

    PER does wonderful work. I just hope that these horses were where it was hard for them to be seen from the road. If not, why did they get this bad before someone reported it. You can report it to PER and they will investigate it

  25. emschick on May 28th, 2015 6:16 am

    Those poor babies. That is really sad. You can see in their eyes that they’re suffering. I’m glad they’re finally getting some food,care and I’m sure much needed love. Poor babies:-(

  26. Honest John on May 28th, 2015 5:44 am

    So glad they were rescued in time. I don’t understand why people have animals they can’t take care of. Thank you to all involved in the rescue.

  27. me on May 28th, 2015 5:02 am

    That’s a shame!!! Thank u guys. God Bless!!!!

  28. Jane on May 28th, 2015 4:51 am

    PER is a great group of people and I thank them for all they do to help these animals! If you are looking for a charity to give horse feed or a donation, please consider PER. They are a rescue and need all the help they can get to do this!

  29. troubled on May 28th, 2015 4:10 am

    When will people learn! If you own an animal you must feed, water, and give love. Shelter is nice but not a must. I hope the judge is not nice to the people that had these horses.(put them under the jail)

  30. c.w. on May 28th, 2015 3:59 am

    The people, if you can call them that, are about as low as one can get. To shut an animal up and not feed and water them is disgusting. They should be put away and treated just like they treated the animals.