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Horses seized in Chisago County |
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By Patrick Tepoorten
Chisago County Deputy Karl Schreck says he has received more complaints regarding the care of horses in Chisago County than any year he can remember. He attributes the increase to rising costs and recent hay shortages that have left people on fixed incomes unable to take proper care of their animals.
In early May, Schreck dealt with two separate situations in which animals had to be taken from their owners over a lack of proper care.
A residence in Chisago Lakes Twsp. had seven Arabians seized by the county. When investigators arrived on the scene they also discovered three dead horses, two Arabians and one that was unidentifiable.
As well, a resident of Shafer Twsp. had two horses taken when they were discovered to be emaciated.
“You check and try to seek compliance (from horse owners)” said Schreck. “But when horses are in such bad shape, that’s when we have to step in.”
In both cases, the horses were sent to the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation in Zimmerman, where they received care and are in various states of recovery.
Schreck said many of the Arabians have recovered enough to be scheduled for adoption, and added that he didn’t know what would be done with these horses were it not for Hooved Animal Rescue. “They do very good things on a very limited budget.”
If you are interested in learning more about the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation, or are interested in donating, see its Web site at: www.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/.
Both the Chisago Lakes and Shafer incidents remain under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and charges are likely.
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