Abandoned Horses a Growing Problem

TONOPAH, Ariz. - Horse lovers and animal advocates are devastated to learn that horses are the newest victim of the economy. They're not being brought to shelters -- people are abandoning them on state land.

A horse found in Tonopah, Ariz. was emaciated, caught in a cattle guard, and left to die.

"It's sickening. I have goose pimples thinking about it. It makes my stomach churn," says Michelann Charla, a horse owner. She and Steven Hagerla say they see abandoned horses all the time.

"I'm on the road a lot, all over the state of Arizona. Like she said, you see abandoned horses just along the road. It's a sad deal."

Charla estimates there's at least a 1,000 abandoned horses in Arizona, and says the economy is to blame.

"People are losing their homes and they don't have an avenue to put their horses or their livestock anywhere and they're letting them lose on state land," she says. But the problem is, domesticated horses don't know how to take care of themselves in the wild.

It takes up to $100 a month to take care of a horse, Charla says. If people can't afford, they are urged to take their horse to a rescue.

Charla also wants the state to step in. "Mainly horse people know about this problem. I believe the public needs to know that it is an issue."

People who are caught abusing horses could be facing misdemeanor or even felony charges.

Resources

www.azbackcountryriders.com
www.azhumane.org

Livestock Dispatch
602-542-0799
1-800-294-0305