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Wake County, NC Case
Update! Press Release:
On January 12th, a civil suit was filed on behalf of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), the United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. (USERL) and Dr. Kelli Ferris of Wake County against the owners of these horses - Michael, Judy, and Gayle Keating, for the care of the neglected horses while in litigation.
Read the story on ALDF's website.
Read News Story from NBC 17 News.
Read News & Observer Story.
On January 12th, a civil suit was filed on behalf of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), the United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. (USERL) and Dr. Kelli Ferris of Wake County against the owners of these horses - Michael, Judy, and Gayle Keating, for the care of the neglected horses while in litigation.
Read the story on ALDF's website.
Read News Story from NBC 17 News.
Read News & Observer Story.
December 17, 2008:
Six horses were seized in collaboration of USERL and Wake County due to a neglect report where one horse died. Upon arrival, another mare was down and needed medical care. Three mares and three foals were removed from the property. A mare and an orphan foal were taken to NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine for immediate medical care. Those two are doing fine now and all are now in USERL quarantine facilities.
Six horses were seized in collaboration of USERL and Wake County due to a neglect report where one horse died. Upon arrival, another mare was down and needed medical care. Three mares and three foals were removed from the property. A mare and an orphan foal were taken to NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine for immediate medical care. Those two are doing fine now and all are now in USERL quarantine facilities.
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A mare named Lacey was found down and weak with complications of colic. She was taken to NCSU-CVM immediately for life-saving treatment from her colic and neglect.
Two other foals, Twister - left, and River on right were also taken to NCSU for treatment as they were lethargic and weak. River, who was suddenly orphaned when her mother died, had profuse diarrhea.
This mare, named Diva, was also emaciated and will require extensive rehab to return her to good health.
The black mare, Raven, was severely underweight and nursing a foal (on right). She was lethargic and dull looking. Her foal was underweight under his thick winter coat and had severe rain rot over his back that resulted in thick oozing infected scabs.
Update! February 13, 2009:
The petition for bond for care of the horses was won in court today. The Keatings must pay a total of $8372.46 for the care of the neglected horses while civil litigations continue.
The horses are recovering easily with consistent twice a day feedings. Below are a few photos of some. More photos will be posted of all the horses/foals soon.
The petition for bond for care of the horses was won in court today. The Keatings must pay a total of $8372.46 for the care of the neglected horses while civil litigations continue.
The horses are recovering easily with consistent twice a day feedings. Below are a few photos of some. More photos will be posted of all the horses/foals soon.
Raven and Shadow are gaining weight easily even as she continues to nurse her colt. They now have energy and are bright and alert. The colt's rain rot has resolved with good nutrition and basic care.
February 20, 2009:
A stallion that was allowed to remain in the Keating's care, while his care was monitored by a Wake County Cruelty Investigator, was improperly moved out of the county during the investigation. Location was not disclosed to the investigator except to say that he was sold for $1. Upon locating him in Johnston County, the new owner - Joel Simpson, Gayle Keating's boyfriend - refused to surrender him and a seizure warrant was obtained. Upon removal of "Groucho" from the Johnston County property, he was found to have lost body condition since the December 17, 2009 seizure of the other horses.
Groucho was taken immediately to a veterinarian for assessment. He was then quarantined and is in rehabilitation.
A stallion that was allowed to remain in the Keating's care, while his care was monitored by a Wake County Cruelty Investigator, was improperly moved out of the county during the investigation. Location was not disclosed to the investigator except to say that he was sold for $1. Upon locating him in Johnston County, the new owner - Joel Simpson, Gayle Keating's boyfriend - refused to surrender him and a seizure warrant was obtained. Upon removal of "Groucho" from the Johnston County property, he was found to have lost body condition since the December 17, 2009 seizure of the other horses.
Groucho was taken immediately to a veterinarian for assessment. He was then quarantined and is in rehabilitation.
December 17, 2008 in Wake County
February 20, 2009 after removal from the property in Johnston County
May 18, 2009:
Today a hearing for a petition for bond of care to Joal Simpson was heard in court. The judge ordered $1831 be paid for cost of care of Groucho, the stallion seized from Johnston County after being moved from an investigation in Wake County.
Groucho is fully rehabilitated after good nutrition and vet care.
Today a hearing for a petition for bond of care to Joal Simpson was heard in court. The judge ordered $1831 be paid for cost of care of Groucho, the stallion seized from Johnston County after being moved from an investigation in Wake County.
Groucho is fully rehabilitated after good nutrition and vet care.
View a video from the attorneys with ALDF who have worked this case diligently to help these horses.
May 21, 2009:
Lacy, a pregnant grey mare seized December 17, 2008 and transported to NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine for emergency treatment, rehabilitated easily with basic feed care and has given birth to a healthy filly this evening. Mom and baby are doing very well and are being carefully monitored by their foster caregiver.
Lacy, a pregnant grey mare seized December 17, 2008 and transported to NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine for emergency treatment, rehabilitated easily with basic feed care and has given birth to a healthy filly this evening. Mom and baby are doing very well and are being carefully monitored by their foster caregiver.
May 19, 2009
May 19, 2009
May 12, 2009;
Lacy just weeks before she foaled. She gained weight easily and blossomed!
Lacy just weeks before she foaled. She gained weight easily and blossomed!
May 21, 2009;
Right and Left: Lacy's newborn foal shortly after birth.
Right and Left: Lacy's newborn foal shortly after birth.
December 17, 2008
February 20, 2009 after removal from the property in Johnston County
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July 12, 2009:
Diva gave birth to a filly and is doing great! The filly had contracted tendons, a risk associated with malnutrition during gestation. The filly, now named Mimi, responded great to treatment and is now completely healthy!
Diva gave birth to a filly and is doing great! The filly had contracted tendons, a risk associated with malnutrition during gestation. The filly, now named Mimi, responded great to treatment and is now completely healthy!
August 25, 2009:
This case has been successfuly resolved with a resulting "consent decree" enforceable by the court in which Keating can no longer own or work with any animals for the next ten years. Read more at ALDF.
This case has been successfuly resolved with a resulting "consent decree" enforceable by the court in which Keating can no longer own or work with any animals for the next ten years. Read more at ALDF.
All the horses from this case are rehabilitated and doing very well, with several having been adopted. Many thank you's to ALDF for their successful work on this case!