Porter County Superior Court Judge Julia Jent ruled Friday that a horse described as extremely emaciated and near death will not be returned to its Jackson Township owner.

Instead, Jent placed the 13-year-old male horse in permanent custody of the Porter County Animal Shelter, which obtained a warrant in October to remove the horse from its owner, James Miller of Jackson Township.

Animal Control Officer Jenniffer Pierce said she hopes the case will give people the courage to call and make a report if they suspect that an animal is being improperly care for. “For crying out loud, make that phone call,” she said.

The Porter County Animal Shelter was first made aware that the horse may have had a problem in 2000, when it was called out to look at the horse and recommended that Miller obtain basic dental care.

More recently, in July, Pierce was called out to investigate. She said she photographed the horse and requested that Miller seek immediate medical attention. In September, she said it appeared that the horse had lost about 100 pounds.

Pierce said the State Animal Board was called in and determined that the horse’s body score was 1.25, on a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 considered exremely emaciated. Pierce said the Animal Shelter obtained a warrant to seize the horse and place him in foster care. Miller subsequently filed a motion seeking to regain his horse.

Pierce said before the horse was placed in foster care, he had numerous scars and wounds on his body. His teeth were in extremely poor condition, having gouged his mouth and preventing him from being able to chew from side to side. The horse had also developed a pocket ulcer that was packed with rotting food. The horse also was suffering from a severe heart murmur and a foot infection, she said.

The horse was placed in foster care at Hodson Farms, a horse stable in Lake County. Pierce said the Hodsons are a “wonderful, wonderful family” who provided extraordinary care for the horse. “They have done wonders,” she said.

Veterinarian Danah Nuest provided dental work, which has allowed the horse to regain the ability to eat. Pierce said although the care for the horse has been considerable, the cost for the basic dental care that was needed was only about $400. The severe heart murmur is now gone, Pierce said, and the horse has gained about 400 pounds, bringing his weight to just over 1,000 pounds.

Despite all that the horse has gone through, Pierce said the horse has a pleasant disposition. “He’s a wonderful horse,” she said.

Pierce said that it’s not yet determined if the horse will remain with at the Hodson Farm permanently, noting that the horse still has a way to go before he is fully recovered. Also not yet determined is who will pay the costs for the foster care.

Posted 1/28/2008