What makes this ending so special is that the pregnant mare was among the starved and neglected group of some 30+ horses that were finally rescued and relocated to foster homes. It would have surprised no one had the mare died, so it is with amazement that her foal was born seemingly healthy. He did require emergency surgery for a hernia, and that care has been provided, but the poor nutrition and condition of the mother did not result in a stillborn or otherwise medically ill-fated foal.

Plaintiff, Jean Watson pled guilty to 8 counts of cruelty to animals. She was fined $100 for each plus court costs for a total of $1009.00, an amazingly unsatisfactory punishment in the minds of many who care deeply about animals and animal ethics. In addition to the fines, Watson is banned from owning horses for one year and then for the next four years she can only own horses under the direct supervision of a vet which will require her to report regularly on the health and well being of the animals. She will also be subject to random inspections by WAHS Humane Society Police Officers to make sure she is complying with court orders; violations which would result in ever more serious charges.

We are happy to report that the majority of the horses placed in foster homes during the course of this case will be adopted by their foster parents. We hope to have permanent homes for the few remaining foster horses including one who is blind, (but very friendly according to her foster mom) and for the mare and her beautiful colt. The overwhelming outpouring that we received in the beginning has provided us with a list of potential adopters who we will contact first and hopefully all the horses will finally be in  homes, and the story will have a real ending.

We at the Washington Area Humane Society wish to thank all of the contributors who volunteered their time, lent us their expertise, provided labor, hay, equipment and donated to the care and medical costs of these horses.

Update: Wednesday, March 18th:

Although it was presumed she would never make it, Dolly, the most critical of the horses, is out of her support sling and walking around. Still in the company of 3 other horses in the barn at the original farm, Dolly is the providing the emotional payoff for all the work, time and money spent on her and all the other horses in the last month. They are all expected to have good outcomes ...the suffering finally over.

Humane Office Mat Walsh is finishing the many citations of animal cruelty and neglect that are expected to be served to the owner late his week.

A side story that was not funny at the time entailed the delivery of hay and shampoo to WAHS by one of the foster parents a couple weeks ago. Needing help to unload the bales, a WAHS staff member opened the back of her truck and to both of their horrified surprise, the owner's cat who had hitched a ride when the owner was packing her truck, jumped out of the back and took off behind the shelter. Over the next hour or more, various people tried to trap and capture the 20-year-old cat who was scared to pieces at this strange place with cats and dogs at every turn. Finally the owner was able to grab her cat, suffering numerous puncture and scratches driven out of sheer terror, but the two were able to drive home together by the end of the day.

Update: Monday, March 9th:

Twenty-one horses so far have survived their ordeal thanks to the help of the community and countless hours of staff time to man and manage this new "satellite operation" that is the horse farm. All but one of the horses have been moved to live with their foster parents which was deemed the optimal solution for a variety of reasons. One reason grew out of the group of missing horses the day after the warrant was issued and great concern over whether more would be taken if left on the farm. When the news broke of the starving horses, people headed to the farm to feed the horses and assortment of food including apples and carrots which was not nutritionally sound although well-intentioned.

Foster homes have afforded the horses the hands-on attention, proper, measured nutrition and a protected environment in which they can improve. And the vets who are monitoring the horses' health do not have to squander their time trying to catch and corral them, adding to the efficiently of their health improvement program.

Update: Thursday, February 26th:

The original press release was sent out via a mass email on Monday, February 23 at 7:46 pm. By 8:51pm, emails began streaming in offering help. Top of the list was Kristin Herman of Coventry Equestrian Center with an offer of 36 bales of hay and 500 pounds of grain that she would dispatch the next morning.

Despite a major phone debacle at the shelter due to recent windstorms, the patient and diligent managed to leave messages and send emails offering manpower, boarding space, feed, horse expertise and monetary support.

When HSPO Matt Walsh returned to the farm on Tuesday, the 24th, he found that approximately a dozen of the 37 horses had vanished. A few others did make it through the night even though emergency provisions had been brought in.

Veterinarians from Canon Hill were on-site assessing the condition of all the horses and 5 of the remaining group are in critical condition being tended to in the barn. The vets have cleared the other horses for transport to foster homes which is expected to be completed in 7-10 days. When they are well enough, they will than be made available for adoption. Even with that positive news, there are ongoing issues including skin disease, rain-rot and parasites to be dealt with. The vets will convene again to develop a managed care plan for the five horses in the barn.

Second Chance Equine offered to provide manpower. Meadows Racetrack delivered water troughs and are having Dean's Water Company deliver regular water until the horses are all placed elsewhere. Meadows Racetrack also donated 1,000 bales of hay and money towards the veterinary bills that will be ongoing.

So many people including residents of Ohio, New Jersey and as far away as Texas have stepped up for these sad horses, donating money and offering foster and permanent homes for them. A WAHS volunteer is working to coordinate foster efforts — contacting those people who wish to take in one or more of these horses to make certain that they are moving to permanent, stable, safe homes. Just as we would vet our foster people who wish to take in our dogs and cats, we must be diligent in checking all "foster parents" for the horses. We thank you all for your patience while we sift through the onslaught of good Samaritans who have been so wonderful throughout this difficult event.

Another aspect of this huge undertaking is that our regular shelter staff, whose jobs are at the shelter tending to the animals and the public who come through the doors, have been stretched inordinately thin. They travel to and from the farm, checking on the horses, providing food and medication, shoveling the manure, and cleaning the stalls daily. Many of the hours are "off the clock" and these workers are to be commended for their dedication to this task.

Original Press Release:

The Washington Area Humane Society received numerous calls of concern about a horse farm in North Franklin Township where the animals have been starved by their absent owner. Newly sworn-in Humane Officer, Matt Walsh’s first encounter at the Bedillion Road farm on Friday, February 20th left him horrified at the sight of the emaciated frames. Worse than that were the horses that were no longer standing, several of them dead on the frozen ground.

Walsh and WAHS manager and Humane Officer Lorie Schooley, quickly put their hands on some hay bales and hauled them to the starving animals. As soon as the government buildings opened in Washington, PA this Monday morning, Walsh obtained a warrant that is a “seizure in place” version which allows for help to reach the horses without the necessity of moving them immediately, while simultaneously barring the owner from setting foot on the property.

“Although a creek runs through the property,” explains Walsh, it has been contaminated by the decaying carcasses of the dead horses.

WAHS is seeking emergency help from the public. Monetary donations will go for hay which will need to be purchased for the duration of the length of stay. We have no facility to store it and it will rot if it sits around. The remaining horses can easily chew through 30 square-bales per day. Money will also be used for the ongoing veterinary care that has been and will continue to be needed. In addition, several staff members have been dedicating their work time to manage this unexpected, off-site situation.

Help and transportation for the relocation of the horses is also needed.

Anyone who is willing to foster, adopt or otherwise house any of these unfortunate horses should call the Humane Society at 724-222-7387. Our regular business line was compromised during the recent wind storm that hit the tri-state area and we are temporarily limping along with only the office line. Please leave a message with your name and number if you get voicemail. We appreciate your patience, concern and help.

Charges of animal cruelty are pending against the owner.