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.
Make a donation at
www.t-bar.org
All donations are tax deductible.
See the horses
True Blue Animal Rescue
Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society
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