March 4, 2020, Massachusetts (USA): It took nearly two hours to dig two neglected horses out of stalls filled with manure. On February 5, the Massachusetts Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Angell Animal Medical Center (MSPCA – Angell) authorities responded to an alert about two neglected horses received from a local animal control officer. Upon their arrival, they discovered both horses trapped inside stalls with manure piled so high they could not exit through the doors. A spokesperson for the MSPCA-Angell said it was “the worst case of neglect” the organization has seen in 40 years.
Shakira and Tia arrive at the MSPCA’s Nevins Farm in early February.
The horses, Shakira a 13-year-old Arabian and Tia, an 11-year-old Quarter/Arabian were transported to MSCPA’s Nevins Farm. The neglected horses suffered from overgrown teeth and severely disfigured hooves. Both had sores on their backs caused from standing on manure so deep, their backs were pushed into the barn’s rafters. The horse’s owner was arraigned in court on four counts of animal cruelty.
The MSPCA’s Nevins Farm is currently caring for both horses providing providing them with a careful refeeding program, pain mediation and farrier services. The horses will remain at the facility until they are healthy enough to be adopted. A statement posted on the MSPCA at Nevins Farm Facebook page, March 2, provided an update on the horses’ conditions.
“Their recovery will be a careful, long process – and is still quite guarded – but we’re celebrating how much happier they look already”
Shakira and Tia recovering slowly but surely, posted March 2, MSPCA’s Nevins Farm Facebook page.
Photography and video courtesy MSPCA-Angell.
