PA SPCA removes three horses from Montour County property over welfare concerns

MONTOUR CO. (WOLF) — The Pennsylvania SPCA executed a search warrant, removing a total of 3 equines, on a property in Montour County on Tuesday, March 23, over concerns for their welfare.

After receiving a complaint from a concerned citizen about equine animals having trouble walking due to severely overgrown hooves on a possibly abandoned property in Danville, the PSPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement team responded on March 22.

Upon arrival, officers found the three equines loose in an unfenced pasture. It was confirmed that one mule had severely overgrown front hooves curling up to cause “slipper foot.” Another was also found to have overgrown hooves and hair loss. In addition, the open access shelter for the equines was filthy with excrement piled in it.

Humane Law Enforcement Officers posted the property alerting the owners of the cruelty violations and need of veterinary care. By March 23, with no contact from the owners of the property in reference to the equines, the PSPCA obtained a search warrant.

Yesterday, the search warrant was executed and the three equines removed. The owners of the property, though not residing there, have been identified.

All three equines were transported to the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Danville Center where they will be examined by equine veterinarians. All animals have been subsequently surrendered to the Pennsylvania SPCA and will receive the veterinary care they have so desperately needed.

“This case is particularly sad as the animals in question have clearly been suffering from severe neglect over a significant period of time,” said Nicole Wilson, Director of Humane Law Enforcement and Shelter Operations at the PSPCA. “We will do everything we can for these animals moving forward, and can only hope that it is not too late to provide them with happy and pain-free lives for the rest of their days.”

The investigation into animal cruelty and neglect is ongoing, and charges are pending the conclusion of the full investigation.

Anyone with information about this case, or other cases involving animal cruelty, is urged to call the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Cruelty Hotline at (866) 601-SPCA. Tips can be left anonymously.