by Jody Spear and Kelly Meyer –
MASON CITY – An injured horse was euthanized Tuesday about forty-five hours after the first complaint to law enforcement about its condition.
Ralph Stricker was informed Sunday evening that one of his horses was either sick or hurt. He said he would check on it.
Monday, it was confirmed by Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s office that they were keeping an eye on the horse. She was being seen by a veterinarian, being fed, given water and being kept warm.
By Tuesday morning, around 9:00 am, this same horse, which was pregnant, was still lying in the field, exposed to the cold with no shelter, and could not get up to walk. She was laying on her side at first, but when she tried to move, she had to drag herself by her front legs.
Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Koob said, “I do believe that the horse is suffering. We either need to help the horse or she needs to be put down. There are not any charges yet. We have been out to this farm numerous times, between 50-75 calls have came in about animal neglect. We are legally bound because the owner will not give up owners rights. The Humane Society of North Iowa has been contacted and a horse rescue has been notified.”
Monte Neubauer, neighbor of Stricker’s, approached onlookers in an aggressive manner at the scene Tuesday who were waiting for law enforcement to take action. Neubauer is said to be a helper on Stricker’s farm.
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More photos: http://public.fotki.com/Meyer-SpearPhotos/horse-rescue/
