A
Texas Justice of the Peace has awarded custody of 57 Thoroughbred
and Arabian horses to the equine welfare groups that have been
caring for them since the
animals were seized May 9.
Hopkins County law enforcement
authorities and volunteers from the True Blue Animal Rescue and the
Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society seized the animals from owner Carol
Paselk. Melanie DeAeth, president of True Blue Animal Rescue, said
the horses were malnourished and needed veterinary and farrier care.
On Tuesday, Justice of the Peace
Yvonne King ruled that the horses were neglected and that rescue
groups should continue providing rehabilitative care until the
horses can be placed in adoptive homes. Paselk was unavailable for
comment.
No criminal charges have been filed.
For
Immediate Release
For
more information:
Melanie
DeAeth, True Blue Animal Rescue
Phone:
(936)878-2349
Jennifer
Williams, President Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society
Phone:
(888) 542 5163
TWO
RESCUES, HOPKINS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT AND SULPHUR SPRINGS
POLICE DEPARTMENT WORK TOGETHER TO SEIZE 58 HORSES FROM HOPKINS
COUNTY HORSE OWNER
True
Blue Animal Rescue (TBAR) President Melanie DeAeth received a
neglect complaint concerning Hopkins County horse owner Carol Paselk
earlier this year. When she discovered the condition of the
horses at the property, she contacted Jennifer Williams, Ph.D. of
Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society (BEHS). DeAeth and Williams
agreed that the horses appear to be neglected: they lacked
proper food, access to potable water and necessary medical
attention.
On
Saturday, May 9, 2009, volunteers from TBAR and BEHS arrived at the
owner’s property accompanied by officers from the Hopkins County
Sheriff’s Department and Sulphur Springs Police Department.
The officers served the owner, Carol Paselk, with a warrant to
remove all horses from the property. Volunteers document 57
horses living on the property in unsanitary conditions and found one
deceased horse.. All living horses were removed and relocated
to safe holding facilities. They’re currently being seen by
veterinarians and farriers and being started on re-feeding programs.
The
case will be heard on Tuesday, May 19th at 1:30 PM in
Sulphur Springs. At that time, evidence on the horses’
condition will be presented, and the owner will have a chance to
present evidence. The Justice of the Peace who presides over
the case will then determine whether or not the horses were
neglected. If so agrees that the horses were neglected, she
can award them to the rescues to rehabilitation and eventually
rehome.
Rehabilitation
of the animals will take several months and cost the organizations
thousands of dollars. If you would like to make a contribution
to assist with the animals rehabilitation or would like to become a
foster care-giver for these or other neglect case horses, please
contact True Blue Animal Rescue or Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society.
All
donations are tax deductible.
See
the horses
True
Blue Animal Rescue
Bluebonnet
Equine Humane Society
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