WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |Abused horses show signs of progress
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Hundreds of people are coming to the aid of dozens of horses rescued from a Cannon County farm earlier this week.
Eighty-four horses, all suffering from starvation and lack of care, were seized from a Bradyville farm in what has been called the largest horse cruelty seizure in Tennessee history.
The animals are being nursed back to health at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds since they were rescued Tuesday afternoon.
Scotlund Haisley with the Humane Society of the United States said, "This is among the worst cruelty we've seen in horses, certainly in the state of Tennessee."
The animals' ribs and other bones are noticeably visible. Investigators say they are signs the horses have been neglected.
The 84 horses, seven dogs, 15 chickens and two goats were rescued from the Cannon County farm.
The emergency shelters at the fairgrounds have been set up with plenty of food, water and veterinarians monitoring their condition.
Volunteers say it's the only place in the state equipped to handle such a large number of horses.
When the animals arrived, some of them were in such poor condition, workers with the Humane Society of the United States feared they wouldn't make it through the night Tuesday, but all of them survived.
The story has touched many Tennesseans.
In fact, by Wednesday, more than 300 people called the fairgrounds offering to help.
Ron Smith from Murfreesboro was one of them.
He donated more than 100 bales of hay.
Smith, who was angered when he learned about the abuse, said, "Horses are just like any animal. They're defenseless and for someone to do this is just wrong."
Caring for the horses won't be cheap. They'll stay at the fairgrounds for three weeks, at a cost of $100,000 or more.
The horses' owners, Charles Howland and his son, Clint Howland, are facing animal cruelty charges, and as the vet reports come in, more charges could be filed against the men.
"The resilience of the animals is amazing," said Haisley. "Who knows their story, it's a rough road, but yesterday we put them on a road paved in gold."
Anyone who would like to help or donate supplies should email the Humane Society of the United States at tnhorserescue@hsus.org.
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