13 neglected ponies, horses rescued

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - According to the Whitley County Health Department, 13 neglected ponies and horses were removed from a property on W. 200 South Wednesday.

Scott Wagner, with the Whitley County Health Department said they received a complaint that the animals were not being cared for at the property at 8351 W. 200 South, owned by James and Cindy Mullins. He stated that on a scale of zero to five being the healthiest, the horses were a one.

After a search warrant was granted, officials from the Health Department went to the Mullins' property Wednesday and found the animals in poor health. The horses were left with only rain water to drink and no food. There were a few empty bags of dog food, but it is not confirmed that the horses had eaten it.

Some horses were standing in a foot of mud, unable to move. Horses had resorted to chewing bark eight feet up a tree.  One pony had even started nursing off a horse for nutrition.

As a result, 13 horses and ponies were taken from the property. It took officials hours to wrangle all of the animals and they were forced to tranquilize several to safely move them.  Several horses need to be sterilized before they can interact with others. They also need to be de-parasited.

Wagner said the animals were taken by two horse rescue groups: The United States Equine Rescue League and Shadarobah Horse Rescue .

Shadarobah officials said these horses may have died within the week had they not been rescued. Officials said these horses are still in critical condition and their recovery could take up to six months.

The Whitley County Health Department, the Indiana Board of Animal Health and the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department were also involved in the rescue.

The Whitley County Chief Deputy Prosecutor, D.J. Sigler is waiting for reports from veterinarians, the Whitley County Health Department and Sheriff's Department. Once he gets those documents, he will determine what charges, if any, will be filed. Those should be available by Friday.

If you would like to donate to the United States Equine Rescue League, click here .

The neglect investigation is ongoing.