Abused horses in Pierce County, Washington

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More than a dozen horses are the subject of a Pierce County Animal Control Department investigation for abuse and neglect in the Summit-Waller area of unincorporated Pierce County, Washington.

Four years of complaints to the department and various other County and State agencies culminated in a site inspection on December 31st which resulted in the removal of two horses. One was a weak, malnourished colt with deformed legs, the other a stallion with an infected, bleeding penis.

Twelve horses, owned by Donna, Lisa and Roxanne Gale of Tacoma, remain in small pens without proper shelter, standing in years' accumulation of mud and feces. Lacking food and water, the horses have resorted to eating their own feces.

Despite having observed these conditions, one veterinarian declined to state that the horses were enduring pain and suffering, a requirement for further action by the department.

The Pierce County Animal Control Department was transferred from the Humane Society to the Sheriff's Department to the Auditors Office over the last few years.

Citizen volunteers remain ready to provide foster care and medical attention for the horses, pending the outcome of the current investigation.
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Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Abused
• Horses
• Pierce
• County
• Washington

[stahimooney]

It is important to note that the owner of the horses does NOT live on that property.  The owner of the property rents the house seperately from the pasture. The people that live in the house have been complaining and are just as relieved as the rest of the community.

[LifeInPierceCounty]

Yes, you are very correct, the renters of the house had NOTHING to do with the abuse of these horses. The renters were very helpful in the process of seeing this issue finally resolved. I can speak for a lot of people in saying that we are sorry for any problems this ordeal has caused the renters.

[horserach]

Thank-you Life in Pierce County for uncovering this awful, awful suffering of these horses. But, most important, thank-you for uncovering the even more awful Hope for Horses. The 'rescue' Pierce County Animal Control paid thousands of dollars to. They claimed to be experts with horses- they are experts at scamming hundreds of thousands of dollars from generous citizens. Don't donate to this organization!

[creekwoodrose]

For updates on these horses, type in creekwoodrose on youtube.

[BentoAndSnappy]

I don't get how someone neglects their animals that badly!

[mollym1963]

I cant believe it took 4 years for something to acutally be done. As the for the vet..was he blind? If i had lived there i would just got in there and taken them to safety, even if it meant i got done for it! How could anyone just stand by and do nothing for so long. Imagine the suffereing those poor horses went through during all that time. Can anyone tell me what the present situation is, are the owners being punished? are the horses now safe?

[nurdjd01]

It is incomprehensible that such suffering can exist for so long and no one is held accountable in spite of the numerous public appeals for help. My family member lives close by. When I visited 2 years ago, these poor horses were existing in squalor even then. God bless and heartfelt thanks for those who worked tirelessly to give these lovely creatures a voice and a chance at a new beginning.

[shiiuza]

I cannot believe it took over FOUR years of complaints to get you guys out there! I would think that one call would have been enough!