Animal Cruelty in St Landry Parish

Posted: Dec 14, 2007 05:32 PM CST

Saint Landry Parish Animal Control Officers are keeping a close eye on a starving and malnourished horse.

Officers were planning to take the horse away Friday morning.  But by the time workers arrived, the horse was gone.  Animal control workers say the horse is not being properly fed or taken care of.

 Pictures Taken Thursday show the animals low body weight.  The photos reveal how the horses hip bones and ribs are starting to show.

Animal control supervisor Patricia Guillory says the animal received no care for at least two days.

 Patricia says "the horse's owner did comply at first during check-ups. Everything was fine but then it started reverting back to the same situation."

This is where animal control workers say the neglect took place. Two other horses are at the site, but their condition is not as bad. A complaint was first filed with the office in November.

Control workers were able to locate the animal. The owners apparently relinquished all custody of the horse to another owner and that's why the animal could not be found.

Parish workers say they will still monitor the well-being of the horse.

Hubert Tate   KLFY TV 10