What To Do When You See the Unthinkable: Animal Neglect

 

By Delores Kuhlwein and Lexi Hansen

Lexi Hansen, a popular and accomplished AQHA, APHA, NSBA, and PtHA exhibitor who recently moved to Pilot Point, Texas, first posted this message on her Facebook page, understandably, horse owners were upset:

“Looking for advice on what to do in a severe neglect case local to the Pilot Point, TX area. Police, SPCA, and All-American Dog have been called, emailed, and messages have been left. No one has done anything. There are two emaciated horses- no feed/hay present that we can tell. These horses need help. What can a person do? Pasture/housing is offered.”

Lexi, who boards her horses at Alicia Porter’s facility in Pilot Point, explains that Alicia had initially seen the horses from the road a couple of weeks prior to her post.  “She explained to me what she had seen, shared photos with me, and stated that she couldn’t get authorities, SPCA, or All-American Dog (a shelter of DFW Animal Services) to contact her back. A week went by, and I knew we needed to get more aggressive to help the horses who were wasting away each day,” Lexi says.

So she did what she knew would raise public awareness and would help rally her fellow horse lovers – she posted an appeal on Facebook, and it worked.

“Alicia and I were validated in our concerns when the public shared the same emotions we had. We felt that we had the public’s support, even though we did not have the local authorities’ support. We committed to these horses. The comments, messages, and support shown motivated us to keep pushing. I called the authorities and finally got a call back but was told nothing could be done. We were saddened but kept going.”

The Journey to Safety

Since she was new to the area, Lexi credits Alicia with helping her overcome the obstacles in their way.  She explains that after they contacted the authorities and went public, they still had a lot of work to do. “We encountered many struggles trying to find help. We wanted to rescue the horses as peacefully and lawfully as possible. When one avenue closed, we were forced to go a different way. We were able to contact a local private rescue. In some type of miracle, the wonderful woman who runs the rescue had an employee who knew the owners of the horses. Her employee talked to the owners, and they graciously agreed to surrender the horses. This case is so different than many others. The process went smoothly, thanks to the local rescue and her diligent employee.”

Alicia and Lexi picked up the horses on December 12, 2023, and brought them home to a big, green, beautiful pasture, reveals Lexi.

Perhaps the most magnificent part of the story – Lexi says that after just one night there, Poncho and Chateau would “use any strength they had to trot and lope up to us knowing we were there to feed them and show love. We have already had incredible donations of blankets, alfalfa pellets, and a full vet work up including blood work, fecals, a physical exam, and teeth floating. Ages are unknown but estimated to be above 10 and below 20 years of age. Both horses are super sweet, kind, and loving. The horses have quite a way to go in their journey, but Alicia and I are fully committed to rehabbing these wonderful boys,” Lexi explains.

Keeping It Productive

Lexi immediately earned respect from fellow horsemen by remaining calm in the face of the storm, and oh, what a storm it became on social media when the pictures of the starving horses were posted, and understandably so.

“Outrage was expected. We are emotional beings,” says Lexi.  “The response to the post was overwhelming as there were comments about contacting news stations, recommendations to go on the property to take the horses or feed the horses, and requests for the address of the horses. This is why I have really encouraged knowing your laws, keeping emotions out, and staying focused on the main goal, which is saving the horses. I do not engage in anger, or add fuel to the fire, but in this situation, it was particularly important to monitor outrage and remain as collected as possible.”

Knowing that the call to action to help the horses needed to stay neutral and not personal, she made sure no one received the address of the horses, and she eventually turned off the comments of her post and she limited sharing ability.  She confesses, however, that she originally shared the same anger as everyone else, but she managed to turn it into action, making it her goal to keep everyone updated and ensure the horses were in safe hands.

“People wanted to help,” Lexi explains. “The outrage was fueled by an overwhelming sense of wanting to help, passion for animals, and confusion as to why the horses were in the shape they were in. I promised I would not let these horses down.”

Advice from the Source

Lexi admits she and the others involved in the rescue faced shame, fear, resentment, sadness, and anger throughout the situation, but she advises also being cognizant of the emotions involved of both the surrenderer and rescuer.

“I have no doubt that surrendering your animals is hard on the heart, but taking them, even though we are doing what is best, takes such a large emotional toll on a person,” she says. “The realization that while we are changing the world for these two horses, we cannot change the world for every animal. It is important to be aware of emotions but leave them out when dealing with heart-heavy situations for the sake of the animal.”

Notably, one of the first suggestions one might see on a post such as Lexi’s is to throw hay over the fence, and it’s a natural inclination for every horse owner, as is the intense yearning to go pick up the horses to save them.

“As easy as it sounds to walk up and feed emaciated horses, discuss with the owners, or take possession without permission is, it is unlawful to trespass. In Texas, we have a stand-your-ground law. Texas also utilizes the Castle Doctrine. In laymen’s terms, a property owner has the right to use deadly force when they feel threatened. We did not want to risk ourselves, nor had any desire to trespass, so we called the local sheriff,” Lexi notes.

She says it’s important to know your local laws and recognize that each state, or country, has different laws regarding animal neglect. “Alicia and I have discovered that animal neglect and cruelty laws are not severe enough, therefore, lacking much needed justice.  We began by calling the local Sheriff, SPCA, and All-American Dog. While we did get the Sheriff to check it out, he said there was not much he could do. He did contact animal control, but by that time, the owners surrendered. We never heard anything from either the SPCA or All-American Dog.”

Lexi offers these steps to take:

1. The first step is to call the local authorities.
2. After that has been done, contact animal control, a humane society, or animal cruelty groups.
3. “We had the most success by reaching out to an experienced rescue. Rescues tend to be well versed in the rescue process and animal seizure,” she says.
4. Social media has proven to be very helpful, but extreme caution must be used.

“I think that as a horse community, and as a voice for animals, we need to stress that if you are struggling with the care of your animals, or see animals who are not properly cared for, say something! The horse community is vast – and so quick to help. Asking for help can feel shameful, but if you need help and do not have the resources to provide proper care, the most responsible thing you can do is reach out and ask for help. Your animals will thank you,” she suggests.

Five Freedoms of Welfare

She has also learned that animals have “Five Freedoms of Welfare,” and they include:

Freedom from hunger and thirst,

Freedom from discomfort,

Freedom from pain, injury, or disease,

Freedom to express normal behavior,

Freedom from fear and distress.

“We can no longer turn a blind eye to animal neglect,” Lexi emphasizes.  “Pretending it does not exist or believing that someone else will take care of it only exasperates the issue. Our animals that we bring into our lives and keep in confinement rely so heavily on us to meet their needs. Please speak up if you need help, or if you see animals who need help. There is no shame in admitting you are struggling and need help. We, as animal lovers, want to help you and we want to help the animal. It is emotional, it is hard, but that animal does not have a voice to call for help. Be that animal’s voice.”

Life Happens

Above all, Lexi says to remember that while neglect can never be truly justified, life throws curve balls. “Each and every one of us have experienced some type of loss, sudden change, struggle, or challenge. We know life is unpredictable and quite uncontrollable. Some of us are extremely fortunate, but others are not. We should all wake up striving to be the best we can possibly be for not only ourselves, but for those around us.”

In a perfect world, she says, life would not be messy.  “Everyone and everything would be happy and receive the proper care. Sometimes we are forced to do what we can with what we have. We should not judge or ridicule. We should, collectively, offer a helping hand to anyone who is in need, human or animal.”