NEWS 25 WEHT Evansville, Henderson, OwensboroRescued Horses Getting Care: Owner Has Been Cited Before

Rescued Horses Getting Care: Owner Has Been Cited Before

story by Jamie Rose

VAND. CO., IN - Eighteen horses rescued from a Vanderburgh County Property Tuesday are now under vet care after deputies say they found them living in horrible conditions.

Wednesday, Superintendent of the Evansville Animal Care and Control, Monica Freeman, says each and every horse is being looked at by a vet.

The owner of the horses, 54-year-old Steven Duncan, is facing 13 counts of animal cruelty and neglect, and NEWS 25 learns it's not the first time Duncan has been cited.

"What we're seeing is a lot of rein rot, secondary skin infections, we're looking at horses that just didn't have good basic care," explains Freeman.

Pictures released by the Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office show the conditions the horses were living in.

All eighteen horses were removed from 2400 S. Green River Road.

They're now being cared for at the Vanderburgh County 4-H Center.

"The horses are really enjoying their clean stalls. They're eating well, they're drinking," says Freeman. "This is a big undertaking."

Freeman tells NEWS 25 it's been like a disaster response, given they're dealing with 18 horses.

Deputies, Animal Control, along with a vet and volunteers have been working non-stop to provide the necessary care needed, and it's costing money.

Freeman says it costs about $250 a month to care for a healthy horse, but she says these horses need more.

"A critical horse in a vet situation can run you $750 a month, and these horses are under vet care," says Freeman. "These horses didn't get in this condition overnight and they're not going to recover quickly."

This isn't the first time deputies have been notified of the horses' owner, Steven Duncan.

Deputies say back in February 2009 Duncan was issued a Vanderburgh County Ordinance warning citation for allowing these animals to be in similar conditions.

Deputies say Duncan corrected the problem and was able to keep the animals.

NEWS 25 tried talking with Duncan Wednesday. He says he has no comment until he talks with an attorney.

Now if you like to donate money to help care for these horses, you can send it or drop it off to:

Evansville Animal Care and Control
Attn: Spirit Medical Fund
815 Ulhorn St.
Evansville, IN 47710

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18 Horses Rescued: Owner Facing 13 Charges of Cruelty To Animals