Published: April 11, 2008 12:10 pm      

31 dead horses on farm

Sheriff describes scene: "terrible, they were decomposing and it was terrible;" charges already filed against Kegley Ridge property owner Miller

One day after 31 horses were found dead on a farm along Kegley Ridge Road, a mass burial took place Wednesday to properly dispose of the decomposed carcasses.

Surviving what is yet to be determined as starvation were 24 horses that will remain at the Miller farm but under the care of Eugene Jinney with the Lewis County SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

Jinney was at the farm Wednesday and said he first heard of the horses through an anonymous phone call. Although Jinney wouldn’t confirm it, Rowan County Sheriff Jack Carter did say the tip came from a local animal activist group.

Jinney said he would present the information to Roberts once he receives a report from Dr. Joe Anderson with the Bath Veterinary Clinic, who was called to the farm Tuesday to examine the situation.

Jinney said he would await the report to see if Anderson determines the horses did suffer starvation or if an illness caused their death. “I’m not a vet and I can’t make that determination,” Jinney said. “Once I get the vet’s report, I will then see the county attorney to find out if any additional charges can be filed.”

Rowan County Willie Roberts said the Kentucky Department of Agriculture swore out a criminal complaint Tuesday through his office. The complaint charges the owner of the horses Don Miller with improper disposal of carcasses.

Roberts said the violation could carry a fine up to $100 for each head of horse. Miller told officials it had been at least one year since he had visited the barn that sets about 300 feet from his home. According to officials, Miller’s teenage son was expected to care for the horses during his father’s illness. After arriving at the farm, Miller informed officials “he didn’t have anything to hide” and told them to check the barn.

One official said Miller seemed surprised and not aware that 31 of the horses had died as some were registered and worth more than $50,000.

Jinney said he was “appalled” by what he and other officials discovered Tuesday in the barn. “It was very difficult for me to take,” he commented. “The odor was terrible and buzzards were hovering everywhere. I had to come out of there because my stomach just couldn’t take it for long periods at a time.

“We did find food and hay in the barn, but it just had not been given to the horses. I will say some of the horses that were dead did look pretty good and some of the ones still alive looks good, but there was some of the carcasses that were in very bad shape and a few of the ones that survived are very poor.”

Jinney said the horses had chewed holes in the stall doors and walls and no water or food was in any of the stalls.

As buzzards continued to fly above the farm Wednesday, a bulldozer dug two holes in which to bury the dead horses.

The backbones, ribs and hipbones were visible on two surviving Palomino’s noticed grazing as the dozer worked for over two hours.

Jinney said he would personally care for the 24 horses until proper homes can be found.

The investigation continues by the SPCA, Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department.