Authorities say three dead horses along with thirteen neglected horses and two dogs were found on a property in Lyon County Friday afternoon.
Lyon County Sheriff Brent White reports deputies responded to citizen complaints of malnourished horses seen off KY 93 South approximately nine miles south of Eddyville on Thursday but no horses were located.
White says Deputy Sam Adams returned to the area around 2:30 Friday afternoon and began searching a wooded area where he found two dead horses and several neglected horses on the property. A local veterinarian was called to the scene and determined the horses were in a neglected state with severely low body condition scores.
Deputy Adams’ investigation revealed the owner of the horses was out of state and had been gone for several weeks and had left a young adult in charge to care for the animals with very minimal resources which were reportedly inadequate to properly care for the animals. The deputy reported there was no hay found, no grass pasture, little water, and only a small amount of processed feed found at the property. In addition, White says many of the animals were without shelter and standing in deep mud.
According to White, evidence obtained during the investigation indicated the owner was aware of the death of the horses but prohibited the young adult from summoning for help to bury them for fear of being prosecuted for animal cruelty/neglect.
Deputies Adams, Joe Witherspoon, and Keith Suits assisted in rounding up the horses and the Lyon County Road Department was called to the scene to bury the two horses. While burying the horses, White says a third horse was found dead and also buried.
The sheriff says A & A Horse Haven personnel were called to assist law enforcement in removing the neglected horses from the property. They brought three trucks and trailers along with numerous volunteers who reportedly worked until midnight documenting and removing the animals from the property. The horses were transported to A & A Horse Haven facilities where they will remain during the investigation.
In total, White says sixteen horses were found neglected on the property, three of which were dead. In addition, two neglected canines were reportedly removed from the property as well, with one of the dogs transferred to McCracken County.
The investigation is continuing by Deputy Adams and charges are pending against the owner whose name has not been released at this time.
