W. Va. Shelter Horses Left in Frigid Cold and Snow
The West Virginia state police are investigating the Jackson County animal shelter following reports from concerned citizens. Dead dogs have been found in garbage bags in a nearby dumpster. It is a gruesome scene and not how any animal should end up.
Also, currently, the shelter has 2 horses that were left out in temperatures that plummeted to 10 degrees or less. Residents found the horses yesterday with little water and no turnout blankets. A halter had been left on one horse. One citizen who declined to be named said, "This is something that no safety conscious horse person would ever do. It was so very tight that it had left imprints in the flesh on the sides of the face and across the nose. This horse had infection in both eyes."
The only shelter for the horses is a lean-to built many years ago for deer. Many of the boards are missing, however, and it provides no protection against the temperatures or snow. One resident who also declined to be named, said, "The horses were certainly attempting to shelter from the storms, because the lean-to was filthy with piles of manure everywhere."
The shelter staff advertised the horses for $50 on a local "swap and shop" program. This means the horses would most likely end up at the slaughter house.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
PLEASE ASSIST HOMELESS ANIMALS OF JACKSON COUNTY BY CALLING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND REQUESTING THE FOLLOWING:
1) Programs to provide proper shelter and care for animals including horses, and spay/neuter and fostering and adoption programs instead of the current practice of killing dogs and dumping them in the trash.
2) An oversight committee that includes local rescue and experts in animal sheltering and care.
3) A veterinarian for both large and small animals, for the vetting of all horses, dogs and other animals.
Contact information for Commissioners:
Joe Pitts (304) 532-0859
Tommy Nutter (304)273-4092
Don Stevens (304) 273-3477
Go here for information about shelter animals available for adoption.
