After reports of cruelty in Southeastern Oklahoma, the Tulsa SPCA helped rescue several horses that have been neglected.
The SPCA took four of the eight horses to a foster home in Locust Grove on Monday. Another rescue group is going to find homes for the other four horses in need. The animal’s health evaluated at a 2 on a scale where 1 is near death and 9 is healthy. These horses were brought to the Mid-America Stock Yard in Bristow from Southeast Oklahoma area and the four horses in the worst shape were turned over to the Tulsa SPCA.
This is an on-going problem in Oklahoma due to the rise of unwanted horses. Statistics show that since 1986 the number of horses has increased from about 5.2 million to over 7 million horses. During this time recreational land has decreased and the hard times on our economy are causing it to become less affordable for the care many farm animals. Tulsa SPCA is here to help as long as we have supporters here to make it happen. The biggest need is to stop breeding and help the horses that already need attention and homes. If breeders could turn their attention from breeding even more unwanted horses and work to help place the horses that are currently in need; we would not continue to have this on-going problem with unwanted horses.
During the cruelty investigation of these horses, the owners decided to release
Mother and baby arrive safely into foster care
them; knowing they were going to be seized. From the time they released and the time the horses were taken; we have an awful story to tell and need those that witnessed this story to help us find justice. Tulsa SPCA is very saddened to say that the former owner moved some of the horses when she was reported. We don’t know exactly why, but one very young horse was reported to have gone down (with bad health) and was forced to get up and load into a trailer. We know that several people tried to flag down the driver, but he refused to stop and check on the commotion. The baby was alive when they arrived to their destination, but crushed and struggling. Minutes later she died. This occurred on Tuesday, December 6th along highway 75 or the Indian Nation Turnpike; the truck and trailer were driving north from southeastern Oklahoma. If you witnessed a stock trailer with a baby horse in distress and you tried to signal the driver to stop, please contact Deputy Floyd Branson of the Pushmataha County Sherriff’s Office at 580-298-2475. Any information is appreciated.
The SPCA is asking for donations of horse feed or money to help them care for the animals and get them back in healthy conditions. They’ll be working to adopt the animals out after they are healthy again.
If you’d like to help the SPCA with these horses or any of their other services call 918-428-7722.
For more photos of our new horses, click here to visit our facebook photo album.