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Smith County Horses Home, Law Questioned - Erika Kurre
Residents in Smith County are questioning the law after one horse is dead and two others are living in a mud lot.
Neighbors nearby want the law to step in, claiming it's a case of abuse and neglect.
But county officials say the owner has done nothing legally wrong.
We have video of the alleged neglect that may be disturbing.
Smith county resident Tom Powell says, "We're seeing nothing but a big mud pile with what was 3 horses-- one's dead now."
Powell stands in his mother-in-law's front yard, disgusted by what she's been living next door to.
He says it's been three days that this horse has laid dead in the mud.
Two horses are still alive on the property.
"They're sitting over there eating tree limbs."
Powell is concerned about how they've been cared for with no way to get out of the elements, a small trough for food, an empty round bale hay feeder and muddy ground.
County officials say a situation like this isn't uncommon.
Smith County Ag Extension Office Director David Glover says, "A lot of them want a pet or to have a horse and to make a small farm and don't realize how horses will eat a pasture down to nothing in a hurry."
Glover says having a lot of horses in a small area adds to the problem.
This yard is may be about a half-acre, where one neighbor says the horses lived together at least 6 months.
The general rule of thumb is to have at least two acres of pasture per horse.
But there's no county law to support that.
The Sheriff's Department believes there is no neglect or abuse on this property.
The only violation officials have noticed here is a requirement to bury, incinerate or haul away the dead horse within 24 hours.
Smith County Mayor Michael Nesbitt says, "No charges have been made to this individual and the Sheriff's Department will take care of that if it's not properly handled."
Powell believes it has been improperly handled.
He wants to see tougher laws that authorities can enforce.
"I’ll be relieved when it's done-- not until."
We attempted to contact the owner of the horses at his home but he wasn't available.
Mayor Nesbitt tells us he's confirmed a new owner will pick up the two living horses Saturday and will help bury the dead horse.Smith County Horses Home, Law Questioned - Erika Kurre
Posted: Friday, February 5 2010, 09:25 PM CST
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