ST. GEORGE — Still suffering from the effects of severe malnourishment and medical neglect, a colt will be euthanized as a result of its irreversible injuries.
Originally rescued from a New Harmony property where it suffered neglect along with three other horses that died of malnourishment, the colt was brought to Dust Devil Ranch Sanctuary for Horses in Cedar City in February where it began extensive rehabilitation efforts.
Read more: Arrests made after 3 horses found dead on New Harmony property
The horse, now named Chance, arrived with an untreated abscess in one of his hooves, causing pain, infection and immobility.
There was no indication of how long ago the horse had sustained the injury but if it had been treated properly when it was first injured, veterinarians who inspected it said it likely would have healed quickly without long lasting effects.
Recent X-rays of the hoof revealed that the injury is much worse than initially thought.
“Unfortunately, the damage inside his foot is way more extensive that we had all bargained for. He has been in and out of lameness and for sure pain, way longer than we had all thought, not just a few months but many,” reads a post on the sanctuary’s Facebook page.
The sanctuary consulted extensively with veterinarians and staff at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab for the best outcome for Chance.
The consensus was that the severity of the injury was not conducive to healing and would lead to more chronic pain for the horse, leading to the conclusion that the most humane option in this case is euthanasia.
“Don’t think we came to this decision lightly, all involved are deeply saddened. Such a shame,” Dust Devil Ranch founder Ginger Grimes said in a Facebook post.
The news comes just days after John Trinity and Christina Silvers, two of the three defendants in the animal cruelty case, pleaded guilty to the charges originating from the discovery of three dead horses that reportedly died of starvation at the New Harmony property.
Read more: 2 plead guilty in New Harmony horse abuse case
Trinity and Silvers were sentenced to 90 days in jail but their terms were suspended, and they were placed on 12 months bench probation. They were also ordered to pay approximately $330 each in fines.
Silvers also permanently surrendered Chance to the sanctuary as part of her plea.
A third defendant, Kelton L. Prisbrey, recently had his court date moved to May 30.
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Who should people call if they find themselves with animals they can not provide for ?
These cases of neglect are usually people in over their heads .
Perhaps making up a list of places that can take these animals would be helpful ?
That question is addressed in Mr. Witham’s first report on this case, knobe. Read here: Arrests made after 3 horses found dead on New Harmony property
And here is another report you might find helpful: Dixie’s Adopt-A-Paws: Dust Devil Ranch Sanctuary for Horses
There are other resources in Southern Utah; animal rescue and shelter facilities are a good place to find direction.
Very thoughtful question, knobe, thank you. 🙂
ST. GEORGE NEWS
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
Thank-you . . . regarding the first article & recommendations , many are finding the current economic situation such that sales or leasing to others is hard .
Also , if there was a list of the phone numbers for the other options it would be helpful .
And Devils Ranch is up in Iron County , are there other options in Washington County ?
The one animal rescue place I know of is on overload & barely able to keep up with feeding the over 2 dozen animals .
Thank-you again
This is sad, I remember the case when the story broke out, maybe there should be a patrol that visits farms, and checks unannounced, like public health fo restaurants.. When people say they gave no money for livestock food, that is no excuse..there is plenty of help in utah as listed above, thanks St George News for great reporting..