UPDATE|Thursday, July 6th
In an update to a story you first heard on WEIS Radio, one of the horses involved in a possible case of animal neglect in Cherokee County has died while a small pony is still being treated by a Veterinarian.
Joell McBurnett who is one of many concerned citizens involved in the rescue of the animals told WEIS Radio News on Wednesday that their group was finally able to locate the original owners of the animals in Etowah County and that they were able to reach an agreement to purchase the horses from them.
All attempts were made to properly treat a mare however the horse had to be humanly euthanized; a small pony is still being treated by a veterinarian.
On Wednesday we spoke to Dr. Jeremy Deaton who is the Supervising Veterinarian for Cherokee County Animal Control and he told us that they were notified on Tuesday and responded along with Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office deputies to the location on County Road 32 off of County Road 19 after calls from concerned citizens to the sheriff’s office reporting the situation.
Deaton told us that unfortunately Cherokee County Animal Control is not allowed to handle these types of cases because it falls under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Agriculture & Industries.
We contacted State Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan by phone on Wednesday and he informed us that the Investigators assigned to these types of cases work under the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
This remains an open investigation.
It’s unclear if any charges will be filed against the original owner.
Previously reported
Cherokee County Animal Control along with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a possible case of animal neglect involving several horses.
According to Dr. Jeremy Deaton, Supervising Veterinarian for Cherokee County Animal Control on Tuesday their office was notified and responded along with Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office deputies to the location on County Road 32 off of County Road 19 after a call from several concerned citizens to the sheriff’s office reporting the situation.
Deaton says at this time there is nothing that can be done due to the fact that the animals are on private property and because the case falls under the jurisdiction of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
Deaton went onto say that they are not allowed to go on private property to seize any animal without a Judge’s order or a court order when it comes to livestock. Deaton said when the State Department gives them further instructions on how to proceed, Cherokee County Animal Control will then move forward in the best interest of the animal.
