Immediate Release
January 13, 2010
Batavia, Ohio. The four surviving thoroughbred horses, along with a donkey and a miniature horse, taken from a Bethel farm on December 28, 2009 in an alleged animal cruelty case, are eating well, their energy is returning, and they are getting frisky, according to veterinarian Dr. Brenda Specht, overseeing the care of the animals at a private and secure Clermont County farm. Two horses removed from the Bethel farm had to be euthanized because of severe malnutrition; Chad Moore of Bethel has been charged with animal cruelty and animal abandonment in the case.
Wearing blankets, several of the horses spent time this week playing and grazing in a pasture at their care facility. “While the animals are still considered at high risk, we are pleased with their progress,” said Dr. Specht, who is checking the animals daily and updating instructions for a team of caretakers, numerous volunteers and representatives of the local horse community. “However, as most horse people can tell you, conditions can change without warning,” she said.
Donations are needed to help defray the costs of housing the horses, nicknamed Angel, Plain Jane, Middle Blaze, and Studly, along with Don Quixote the donkey and Claude the miniature horse. The following is an updated list of items needed for their care:
Sturdy, 16 gallon feed tubs Grass hay
1-150 gallon trough Alfalfa hay
Alfalfa cubes and pellets Beet pulp shreds
Corn oil 2 deicers for the water trough
Bagged or bailed bedding Heated buckets
Rubber stall mats 1-50 gallon trough
All of the above items can be dropped off at the Clermont County Animal Shelter between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday; the shelter is located at 4025 Filager Road in Batavia. The shelter can be reached at (513) 732-8854. Cash donations are accepted at Bethel Feed and Supply, located at 528 W. Plane Street in Bethel.
Pictured above: Angel is one of the horses taken from a Bethel farm in an animal cruelty investigation
#
For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathryn Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@co.clermont.oh.us.