Another Case of Starved Horses

[kwitty]

This happened in Bullitt County, Kentucky. The family, a husband, wife and two teenagers starved their horses. A few a them were already found deceased. They just starved to death, their bodies still laying there, and had been for 3 months. The rest of the horses have been taken away. Not sure if they will survive. They were in pretty bad shape. The thing that gets me the most about this is that bags of unopened feed were found in their barn. They were all able bodied and even a neighbor called a rescue society and they offered to come help feed the horses and the family declined. The prosecutor in this case wants to make sure they get the maximum penalty. He wants to also work at getting the animal cruelty laws changed for stiffer penalties. So, if anything good can come out of this, I hope he is able to help get these laws changed. As for the family, I hope they get what they deserve. I don't even classify them within the human race. They are monsters.

[Magnum]

Case Report
Two Bullitt County residents are in jail on charges they starved several of their horses to death, and nearly killed a number of others. The horses' ribs and hip bones were visible, and clumps of their coat had fallen out. Harold Ashby, a neighbor, was at the edge of his property when he saw a dead horse just outside the barn next door on Saturday, Feb 12, 2005.

He called sheriff's deputies who arrested Daniel and Eugenia Edgeson and charged them with at least eight counts of cruelty to animals. Ashby said, "I'd say to my wife once in awhile, 'You ever see them feed those horses. She says 'no.' This is all winter long, I've never seen them fed any hay or anything one time."

Deputies found at least four dead horses here, and suspect at least six more are buried in the field nearby. All of them are victims of neglect, specifically starvation. Horse breeders speculate that the animals may not have had food for months.

Jim McAuliffe with the Bullit Co. Sheriff's Dept. says, "It's obvious they've not been taken care of. They're malnourished, their bones are showing through. They're nothing but a rack of bones, is all the animals are."

Sheriff's deputies were able to take five horse who were still alive, though very hungry, from the Edgeson's farm. They're now recovering at a nearby barn.

If Daniel and Eugenia Edgeson are they're convicted, they may be sentenced to only a year in jail. Their neighbor, Harold Ashby, says, "Whatever they get, they deserve. They should get the most they can get."

The Edgesons are in jail after being arraigned Monday (Feb 14) morning. The list of charges against them could grow.

References
Fox 41 News - Feb 14, 2005
Fox 41 News - Feb 15, 2005
WAVE 3 - Feb 15, 2005
WKYT 27 - Feb 15, 2005

[kwitty]

Thanks Magnum. I saw it on the local news here. I'm trying to find out some more info. so I can write the prosecutor. I commend his efforts.

[JustJo]

I just DON'T GET IT!!! Why, why, why do people get animals and then don't even provide them with basic needs? And WHY do they refuse help when it is offered? I'll just never understand it. The laws need to be changed to really make people think before they do such stupid, cruel, and inhumane things to innocent animals.

And another thing, even if these type of people do think first they still should never have animals because they obviously only have 1/4 of a brain to think with in the first place. :mad:

[kwitty]

I know what you mean, JustJo, I have no tolerance and no patience for people like this. I think they should suffer the same fate so they can know what it is like. I just don't understand it either. I think that once an individual is convicted of animal cruelty, they should NEVER be allowed to have ANY kind of animal again. Well, actually, I think they should be locked up, forever, because I don't think have any place in our society.

[Magnum]

WKYT 27 cross-post

We're learning more about a disturbing animal abuse case in Bullitt County.

Ten days ago, investigators found several dead and malnourished horses on a farm. Now, the horses' owners want out of jail.

Kim Keating is with Animal Rescue, "It's not just the fact that some animals died, they were laying there rotting week after week after week and somebody needs to take it seriously."

Keating says she tried to save the horses found dead and dying on the Edgeson's farm two weeks before police were called in.

Keating says she offered Eugenia Edgeson free food and help taking care of the horses, but Edgeson declined the help.

"She was laughing. She assured me everything was fine, that a mad neighbor must've called me. She told me their horses were all healthy and happy."

But investigators found nothing happy about this situation. Their findings included horses dead and some barely alive.

Keating says, "This case goes beyond neglect. It's deeper than that. You have two healthy adults, three teenage children, and you have horses that have been dead for three months from starvation, but yet there's and open bag of food in the barn."

Despite what is a disturbing situation to some, the Edgeson's attorney, Eric Farris, says this couple loves animals.

"Oh, there is no question about it, but I know it's hard for people to understand that when they view the video and view the pictures and that's why there's a whole lot more to the story that needs to be told."

The Edgeson's are expected to go to trial in March. They're only charged with misdemeanors. The lead detective in this case says this has opened his eyes to the law concerning animal cruelty. He believes the law should be toughened.

Misdemeanor? :mad: If this is all they end up with, I can't imagine the locals, let alone others, will not protest.

[kwitty]

I almost threw up when I heard what their attorney had to say. There is absolutely no excuse in my mind for what they did, and nothing can convince me otherwise. If they couldn't take care of their animals, they could have asked for help. They were offered help, but didn't take it. That just shows they are cold hearted. Their attorney must be crazy. :eek:

[Magnum]

OMGosh!! I just watched a news video on the place where the horses were and it is beyond discusting!!! :mad: Two adults and three teenagers lived there and did NOTHING!! Refused help and told people who offered that the horses are happy and healthy.....GET OUT OF TOWN!! The video also showed the horses that are still alive and they are literally bags of bones. Thank goodness they are being well cared for now and their prognoses looks good so far.

This is one case where the presiding judge needs to be hammered with letters, faxes, any form of communication to help speak for these poor horses. :mad:

[shorty]

:mad: OH MY GOD I SWEAR IF I EVER MET THEM I THINK I WOULD LOSE MY TEMPER AND SCRAEM IN THEIR FACE! I HOPE THEY GET WHAT THEY DESERVE! HOW COULD SOMEWON DO SUCH A HORRIBLE THING! :mad:

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