Horses running loose captured near Interstate 55

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- Two horses are in the custody of the Caruthersville Humane Society after running for several days, endangering traffic and tearing up recently planted crops.

According to the Caruthersville Humane Society, officers responded to a call from the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department on Monday in reference to two horses running loose in a field near U.S. 61 and Interstate 55 in the Steele, Mo., area.

Humane society equine handler Marlene McNatt and others responded to assess the situation and began calling volunteers.

Deputies from the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department, officers from the Steele Police Department, along with the Steele animal control officer, Missouri Department of Conservation agent Brian Shelton and local farmer Tommy Ketchum, had already spent many hours on the scene to prevent the horses from entering the interstate or highway.

After almost 10 hours, the horses were secured by leading them away from the interstate and five miles up a gravel road to their suspected original home.

The horses were surrendered to the custody of the Caruthersville Humane Society after contact was made with the owner. Both horses are receiving medical attention and will be held by the Humane Society pending any further investigation.

Anyone wishing to donate for the care of the horses can do so by contacting the Caruthersville Humane Society at (573) 333-0100. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 345, Caruthersville, MO 63830 or can be made online via PayPal at www.caruthersville hs.com.

Pertinent address:

Caruthersville, MO