Volunteers step forward to care for neglected horses

JACKSON, Mo. -- Three horses seized last week from a Jackson pasture are being cared for by volunteers until animal neglect charges involving their owner are settled.

Immediately after the plight of the malnourished and dehydrated horses was made public last week, volunteers stepped forward offering to care for and even adopt the animals, said Cape Girardeau County animal control officer Jack Piepenbrok.

An anonymous letter led authorities to check on the horses at 1305 S. Farmington Road.

Court records indicate David D. Kinder, 55, was charged with a misdemeanor of animal neglect. If found guilty, he faces a possible sentence of up to 15 days in the county jail and a maximum of $300 in fines.

Kinder is accused of failing to provide food and water to the horses, even after he was warned he might face criminal charges.

Jackson patrolman Jim Barker said in a probable-cause statement the horses hadn't been fed all winter, living off whatever grass they could find in the pasture.

As a result, all of the horses are severely malnourished, with ribs, hips and backbones showing. A fourth horse died on the property.

The three survivors are currently being cared for at Flickerwood Farms Inc. They've each been examined by a veterinarian and are reported to be doing fine, Piepenbrok said.

Volunteers are grooming them and giving them food and water every day. Piepenbrok said he checks on the horses daily, too.

"We're not going to let anything happen to them," he said. The youngest paint is so friendly he reminds the officer of a big dog.

Though many have expressed an interest in caring for the animals, nothing can be done until Kinder's case is closed.

Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle said if Kinder is convicted or pleads guilty, the horses might end up available for adoption.

But a finding of guilt would not automatically mean Kinder would lose the horses, Swingle said.

At that point, a forfeiture hearing would take place. If the court finds reasonable grounds that the situation for the horses wouldn't improve if returned to Kinder, then the judge has the discretion to let the horses be adopted.

Swingle said anyone interested in adopting any or all of the horses should provide their names and numbers to the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri for screening.

A spokeswoman for that organization said the information will be forwarded to the state agency for screening because the local group handles primarily small animals.

Kinder is scheduled to make his initial appearance this week before Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp.

abuchanan@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160