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Animal cruelty sweep nets 110
By Brent Curtis Herald Staff - Published: December 6, 2008
RUTLAND HERALD

More than 110 animals of all kinds were removed from farms in Hubbardton and Brandon on Friday in what the Rutland County Sheriff's Department said is the largest animal cruelty investigation in Rutland County in years.

Sheriff Stephen Benard said his deputies along with about 50 volunteers from the Rutland County Humane Society and Spring Hill Horse Rescue spent the day Friday removing everything from dogs and cats to horses, goats and sheep from farms on Monument Hill Road in Hubbardton and Kimball Road in Brandon.

Benard said he couldn't release the names of the animals' owners since no arrests had been made yet in the case. However, the sheriff did say that the owners, who own both farms, would probably face charges once the investigation was complete.

The Sheriff's Department began investigating the two farms three weeks ago after a state Fish & Wildlife official found a dead goat on one of the properties.

Benard said the animals were voluntarily surrendered to police for evaluations by local veterinarians after police spoke with a lawyer representing the farms' owners.

While the evaluations are still taking place, Benard estimated that as many as 40 percent of the animals exhibited signs of neglect and malnourishment.

"There are a lot in dire need of care," he said. "A lot of them need dental care. We found one basset hound with teeth ready to fall out."

The different species removed from the farms includes cats, dogs, rabbits, fowl, ferrets, doves, a miniature horse, horses, Shetland ponies and goats.

The extreme quantity of animals and the medical care that many require has taken its toll on the Humane Society and Horse Rescue, both of which need the public's health, Benard said.

"This case has stressed animal services in Rutland County beyond the max," he said. "The Humane Society and Spring Hill could use everything from food and hay to monetary donations to get through this."

Contact Brent Curtis at brent.curtis@rutlandherald.com.
 
About Spring Hill Horse Rescue
Gina Brown founded Spring Hill Horse Rescue in 2000. Their mission is to rescue abused, neglected and slaughter-bound horses and to educate horse owners on their proper care and handling. Gina is an equine humane agent for the state of Vermont aiding in the investigation of large animal cruelty complaints and assisting law enforcement with livestock situations. All of these services are provided at no cost to tax payers. Spring Hill is the only horse specific rescue facility in the state.

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Spring Hill Horse Rescue
175 Middle Rd, Clarendon, VT 05759
(802) 775-1098  Email: SpringHillRescue@aol.com