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/
I do agree that this was terrible for those of you who do not own livestock to see, but sometimes there is nothing you can do. The only reason this is getting so much publicity is because these animals were by a blacktop road. If he would have lived on gravel no one would have said boo about it. This is a horse. What do you think happens to horse in the wild when this happens? They just lay there until they die. It is unfortunate that he could not care for the horse and he should get rid of the rest of his animals. Horses live outside in the winter. They are not supposed to be covered because this messes with they natural ability to adapt to cold weather. Until you educate yourselves on livestock and horses do not throw stones. I know that many of you will get upset over this post but treating a horse is slightly different than treating your lap dog.
Hi Matt Im just wondering if you could interview Mr Stricker or Monte neubaure and really find out what took place with this horse? To me the horse even with the bad hips truley wants to live as you can see when the deputies are with it it wants their help. This is such a sad thing to see and I feel for the deputies and anyone else that had to deal with this. I want some answers as to what took place. why cant we have in our area a animal cop like we see on tv to go in and rescue animals that need help.. Iwould sign in a heartbeat to heapl out.
All of you her are defending Mr. Stricker, pleast check the public record on Iowa Courts Online. Mr. Stricker has been charged with either Livestock Neglect, Animal Neglect, or Animal Cruelty 10 times since 2007. 3 of those were rolled into other charges and dismissed and 2 are still pending. This is not someone who was trying to do his best and, oh well… This is a serious, repeat offender who should not be allowed to have animals. He has already served time in jail and paid multiple fines because he CANNOT care for his animals. Apparently this did not make an impression on him. Maybe it is time for a couple of months in jail to try to get through to him.
It amazes me how many of you don’t think this horse should have been given a chance to live. It just might have had something wrong that treatment may have helped. Do you give up just because of the circumstances or what the public might think? Miracles do happen.
#1. In our area, most large animal veterinarians also practice on small animals and have appointments all day long. A veterinarian probably was not available to go to Mr. Stricker’s until late Monday.
#2. The horse couldn’t move its rear legs. Sometimes medications can improve this problem. Miracles do happen. Wouldn’t you want to at least give your horse a chance?
#3. The horse was outside in the cold and mud. Yes, that’s the pits. It sucks for the horse and for the people who watch it and think it’s abuse. But sometimes if you want a pet to live, you do what you can to keep it comfortable to give it a long shot to recover. The fact it’s an outdoor animal makes it harder to give it the time it needs. When it didn’t respond, he did the right thing. I’m sure it broke his heart. All you see is a horse struggling. I see a man losing a beloved pet.
Mr. Stricker did call a veterinarian and did appear to be trying to take care of the horse. His other horses appear to be well-cared for. I think your outrage is over the top. If he didn’t care emotionally about this horse, he would have put her down immediately. He was bonded to this animal and was hoping to save her. And I don’t think it was about money. I think he probably kept the offspring because he loved them. His love of animals is probably why he refuses to leave the farm and go to a care facility. He can’t imagine life without them.
Are u serious..Is this northiowamugshots? because I hear the phrase “if you don’t know tho whole story”, what more is there to know? Tell me please because if I’m wrong there is NOT another part to this story as I see it.Oh wait he’s old, give me a brake I’m frickin old to but you don’t see my animal’s froze to the ground and laying like that for3 days.and if Monte is so quick to defend him why didnt you get yr ass out there and help him, instead you’d rather attack nit, good thing you at the last minute got some sence, because thats my family.This is an outrage there’s enough b.s. going on in mason city and now animal abuse .How did the legs on that horse get injured? Yo hired hand can you answer that for us??? maybe should charge him also.This is the sickest thing I’ve seen yet.Maybe this man should give up these animal’s, o wait I guess there’s no money in that is there, the horse was pregnut.I just don’t even have the words to describe the kind of monster you are buddy, can I plz put yr ass out to pasture, maybe u should get the same treatment you gave that horse.you are a pathetic piece of shit.And what happened to the other horse that u had to pull from the frozen ground and it broke in half where’s that horse buried in yr yard maybe..Good job to Matt and his staff u guys rock.and the officers that were there to assist.now let’s take action on this Iraqi its gonna happen again..Somebody’s watching you.