THE WATER COOLER
As reported by the Bastrop Advertiser’s Andy Sevilla, the Bastrop County Sheriff ’s Office is investigating reports of animal neglect after a photo was posted on Facebook of an emaciated horse at a ranch that takes in former rodeo stock. According to the sheriff ’s office, the landowner told them he “allows them to live to a ripe old age and to die naturally.” The person who took the photo said that the horse was in the middle of a pasture, far from water and shade. The sheriff ’s office said in a statement that based on a preliminary review of the property, all the livestock have adequate food and water. “While the photographs (of the horse) are disturbing, we urge everyone to withhold judgment until all of the evidence can be examined,” the sheriff ’s office said.
Patricia Eickstead: This particular horse (no matter what condition other horses may be in) should have been put down humanely. It may have been old, may have been ill, but the fact it was left to suffer is grounds for an animal cruelty charge in my opinion.
Brittney Gaskin: It’s way too hot outside to be in direct sunlight all day in that condition.
Staci Burlin: So, somewhere else in Texas has starving cattle, and that person gets arrested, and the cattle get seized and rehabilitated? And this is acceptable? To let this horse and others die like this? Have a heart! A real rodeo contractor will not let an animal suffer in the arena or pasture.
Linda Kaufhold: I have a 30-yearold horse who is very thin. He gets grain every day, as well as access to hay and grazing. He has a bad knee but still comes up to eat. Some owners would probably have him put down, but he and I have an understanding: I’ll keep feeding him as long as he comes up to eat. Old age, even in animals, looks very different from youth.