Courtesy photo by Lewis County Sheriff’s Office
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office seized nine horses near Morton following an investigation into animal neglect.
The horses on property at the 800 block of state Route 7 were severely malnourished and dehydrated; one in such poor condition it had to be put down, according to the sheriff’s office.
The seizure on Friday came after attempts by county animal enforcement to encourage the owners bring the horses back to a healthy condition, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
Five private groups and the Lewis County Animal Shelter assisted in the removal and now foster care of the horses, Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown said this morning.
The sheriff’s office is asking the prosecutor to charge the owners with first-degree animal cruelty. They belong to Terry Simmons, 58, and Joanne Simmons, 65, according Brown.
Brown said authorities had asked the owners before Friday to seek the services of a veterinarian, but they failed to follow through.
The couple didn’t really have an explanation for the poor condition of the horses, according to Brown.
“I don’t know that they really understood how bad of condition they were in,” Brown said.
The owners were however cooperative and in agreement on Friday the animals needed care, according to Brown.
The horses ranged in age from as old as 15 to just a foal, according to the sheriff’s office.
Brown said donations of feed and grain are needed, and can be made to the animal shelter.
Courtesy photo by Lewis County Sheriff’s Office
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
I have 10 beautiful fenced acres and a nice barn if would love to help in anyway I can, they would be very well taken care of here and very safe as well. please email me if i can be of service. I am located in winlock,Wa.
From what I understand, The county has to have a vet go and evaluate the condition of each horse. If there are 20 horses and the vet says that 10 are in bad shape and says that the other 10 are not in bad shape then the ones in bad shape will get removed and the others will remain. The county will have the seized horses go to foster homes at no cost to the county. The foster homes will feed and care for seized horses. I’m sure that the foster homes caring for these horses could use some donations to help feed the horses they have. Please, contact The Farm store if you want to help with the care of these horses. There is an account there set up for them.
Lee. I just called them and left a message as well. We have a beautiful place and would give at least the baby and mama a forever home. Keep trying. k
Heartbreaking.
after thought…. maybe if welfare paid for animals they’d feed them.
Focus people… The horses can’t tell you they need help and can’t easily jump a fence like a cat to find food. The owners of horses like this need to be treated the same and have food withheld from them. They should also be BANNED form the ownership of any further farm animals.
Really DCE? 30 cats running around compared to nine sick horses?
Oh I see, just another chance for you to run your drivel…..
stallions and mares left behind , complete failing on the counties behalf. We offered to foster and rehome every horse there and have not even got a call back from the county. All at no expense to the county. WHY were all not removed ? Sad all around
This is Just one case of Animal neglect, Now if the Police Department would step up to the plate and deal with my Neighbor. There must be 30 cats running around the property and Code Enforcement has been there several times and has done nothing. I wonder what’s the difference between the cat’s and the Horse’s? Oh you can sell the Horse’s.