26 Horses Seized
People Helping Horses—Rescues 26 Horses from Near Death in Animal Control Assisted Seizure
Arlington, WA – Today would have marked the expiration of a 15-day hold that 26 rescued horses were on after their May 2 rescue, but on the 14th day of the hold the horses original owners filed a petition to get the horses back.
The horses were all seized from pasture land inSkagitCountynearMt.Vernonafter the sheriff’s office received a concerned call about the state the horses were in. Animal control and veterinarians determined that the horses were in very poor condition.
In a joint effort between People Helping Horses staff, animal control and sheriff deputies, the horses were moved to a People Helping Horses facility in Arlingtonwhere staff has been working diligently to nurse them back to health.
Upon their rescue, all of the horses were severely malnourished and the majority of them have lice, rain rot and mud fever; 3-4 of the mares are believed to be pregnant. The lice caused severe hair loss on many of the horses and a handful of the horses have open sores. Most of the horses were rated at a “stage two,” on the Henneke scale, which is one step above death.
So far one 5-year-old mare had to be euthanized due to her condition.
According to Gretchen Salstrom, founder and executive director of People Helping Horses, it is very rare to have an owner file a petition to get their horses back.
“This is the first time in 10 years an owner has petitioned to get the horses back,” Salstrom said. “Our focus is on what is best for the horses—we just want to see them happy and healthy.”
