Comments on: Sheriff’s Office, Animal Control Seize Dozens Of Farm Animals

By: justin schiefner

justin schiefner — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:09:38 +0000

I stumbled onto this story, but so agree with Mike P. You drive by and see the suffering every day but no one offers to help. I feel for the animals above all, but don’t assume this man knew there are groups that would have assisted him. Why not reach out and offer your help to him and his animals. sometimes people are too proud to ask for help but if you offer its not charity. If they are starving i wonder if he was as well. It’s easy to get in over your head and then not know what to do. I hope the animals get the care they need, the farmer some relief, and everyone a better insight into the pain of others.

By: mds

mds — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 09:41:30 +0000

i dont think this man did this on purpose.i always seen someone out there petting this animals.he just needed to be to there were to many goats aout there.they eat it all down.it look bad and it got out of control.maybe he could be lead in the right direction and get his horses back.these people are really nice and i hate to see this.it does cost alot of money to feed these days i know.dont judge til you know the whole truth.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:07:58 +0000

I live off of Williams Ditch on Handy Rd. and had to drive by this property everyday. It was a sad situation for these animals. Many days I would be in tears as I passed by. The horses and goats had nothing to graze on. Hay was not offered daily…sometimes I would see it once a month or so. The horses were fenced (with barbed wire) in the back 1/4 of the property…which was mostly trees and dirt. They had no room to trot and run freely. I did see the owners bring grain…but, as horse owners know, horses need to graze throughout the day. They had nothing to graze on unless the owner brought hay…hay was rarely on the property. The goats had cleaned all leaves off the trees as far as they could reach.

Even as rough as these conditions were for the animals they had…they would keep bringing additional animals. A black pot-bellied pig was added just a week or so ago! They would have a dog in there now and then (not sure if they escaped or were brought home).

Thank you to Panhandle Rescue (I saw someone from PER there on two different occasions talking with the owners) and Escambia County for seizing these animals…I hope they will live a better quality of life now!

By: obscene

obscene — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:29:26 +0000

Please tell me thats not barbed wire above the chain link in the photo? Wow….just wow.
I know we don’t use barbed wire for cattle because it tears them up and leaves scarring, and I can only imagine that it’s the same for horses?

By: NWFLA Linda

NWFLA Linda — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:26:31 +0000

mds, please keep calling about the hwy 99 situation. Is it above or below the 97A intersection?

jw, if your animals are in “thrifty” condition because they are ill and in the process of getting better, I’m sure no government official is going to storm your property to take them. While you’re conversing at the gate, it might save some grief to show records/receipts for treatment given. Be thankful someone cared enough to phone in their concerns. I hate government involvement, but when the victims cannot speak for themselves and the possibility for abuse and neglect is present, I’d rather err on the side of caution. Those who are too ignorant or irresponsible/worthless or downright cruel are to blame for the necessity for some sort of “watchdog” agency. And, I don’t think PER is out looking for more horses to support!!!

By: creekshowerer

creekshowerer — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:22:51 +0000

“ducks dont eat goat pills”. – Creekbather

Depends on the type of duck. Our muscovies will forage through the droppings of other animals such as rabbits and goats, often ignoring the ample amounts of layer crumble set out for them for days. The buffs and runners will as well, but I think thats more along a case of monkey see-monkey do.

Overall, I agree though.. just had to clear up that one misconception.

By: creekbather

creekbather — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:00:18 +0000

you dont raise horses on dirt,, goats dont eat dirt, ,,ducks dont eat goat pills,.. . . they should be cited for burning trash,within one hundred feet of a dwelling ,.., and should be required to go to school on animal husbandry,,, and land management. .. sorry to say but they realy give black people , a bad name ,, when it comes to yard keeping. . that place looks like a bunch of hobo’s lived there, and the appearance of the property has decreased the value of everything on williams ditch rd,,,,nobody even wants to drive by there ..

By: 429SCJ

429SCJ — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:16:28 +0000

That horse looks poor, look at those ribs. The facts appear to exhibit themselves.

By: Georgia B

Georgia B — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:13:16 +0000

To mds please report this situation to authorities. Re Williams Ditch animals–I was in court the day the woman cried about her horses and I felt bad for them, BUT go to the pictures that accompany this story and see if you still feel that the animals were being well taken care of. It takes more than dumping some grain once a day.
Good intentions do not take care of animals.

By: AL

AL — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:33:20 +0000

Santa Rosa County actually has a “food bank” for horses if the owner is just struggling. But after education and asisstance they will still seize the animal if the owner keeps neglecting it. The Horse Assistance Council is volunteer and works with the county animal control to identify folks who need help. They have educational clinics, gelding clinics, etc. Good program that Escambia would do well to look at.