Fate of starved horses goes to Supreme Court

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The question of what to do with more than 100 horses that authorities say were starved and neglected in southwest Missouri will be heard by the Missouri Supreme Court next month.

The Humane Society of Missouri and the Carthage Humane Society are currently caring for the horses, which were taken taken from William Zobel's rural Republic ranch in January.

Greene County Circuit Judge Don Burrell ruled that the humane societies could decide what to do with the horses after Zobel failed to pay a $105,000 bond for his animals.

Zobel's attorney appealed that ruling and last month, the Missouri Court of Appeals ruled that the humane societies could keep the horses, but not sell or otherwise dispose of them.

The Missouri Supreme Court will hear arguments June 16 on whether Burrell's original ruling was legal.

"As we've said from the very beginning, the humane society has no standing to dispose of these horses. It's a violation of our client's due process," Merriman said.

Greene County authorities seized about 120 horses, many starving and abused, from Zobel's 180-acre property Jan. 8-9. They said they also found several dead horses on the ranch. A veterinarian recommended that the horses be confiscated because of the conditions of the property.

Zobel is charged with 38 misdemeanor counts for allegedly abusing and neglecting the horses and failing to dispose of an animal carcass in a timely fashion. Zobel has disputed the charges and presented receipts to show he purchased horse food.

The humane societies are attempting to recoup some of the approximately $200,000 they've spent boarding and caring for the horses. They have filed liens against Zobel and others who claim ownership of the horses.