Onondaga (WSYR-TV) -- The SPCA returned to a farm on Onondaga Nation property Thursday to remove the last of several
horses that were found neglected earlier this week.
Seven horses were found dead on the property on Sunday; 14 others were found living in deplorable conditions, according to the SPCA.
SPCA investigators say it took quite an effort to rescue the remaining horses that were strong enough to survive.
“When we got here today [Thursday], they were on the hill, way in the back, so we had to coral them in,” said SPCA Cruelty Investigator Paul Morgan.
The horses haven’t socialized much while on the farm on Bailer Road in the town of Onondaga. The SPCA says they’re a bit on the wild side and not exactly fond of people.
Though the horses had little strength, they were still quick enough to elude SPCA volunteers and state troopers. It took nearly an hour and a half just to round up the five remaining horses. They'll be reconnected at a farm in Cazenovia with the nine horses that were seized on Monday.
"We have one originally from day one on Monday that went down. We did have a vet on staff that worked all night long and was able to revive the horse and get him back on his feet. He's doing better. We had one last night that got colic and hit the ground and we're working on that now. That one's not doing well,” explained Morgan.
Morgan says the 14 horses found alive on Sunday night were anywhere from 200 to 250 pounds underweight and full of worms and some of them were pregnant.
The seven that didn’t survive likely died from being fed too much after being starved for too long.
“It's sad to know that people treat animals this way, but having said that you see all these people here today, and they're all here on their own time and willing to help just because they want to see them in a better place,” Morgan continued.
The horses have a long road to recovery ahead of them.
"Once they're healthy they'll be very adoptable. None of them are trying to hurt us, they're just scared right now. They all seem to have great personalities,” Morgan said.
As for the person responsible for the horses' care, or lack-there-of, Morgan says the person's name won’t be released until the conclusion of the investigation.
Morgan says Onondaga Nation leaders have promised to help fund the horse’s rehabilitation. However, the SPCA is asking for your help as well. If you’d like to donate feed or if you can help care for the horses,
contact the SPCA.
