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More Hurting Horses by Kim F. Miller |
The Bor Family of Ventura County’s Frazier Park has pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of felony animal abuse charges. On Sept. 23 and Oct. 8, 52 horses were removed from their 21-acre ranch. Thirty-seven of those are now living at an Ojai shelter run by the Humane Society of Ventura County and another 13 are at a facility under the County’s Department of Animal Control’s care. Another 57 remain at the Bor’s ranch, where the County Sheriff’s department is monitoring Those removed were in the very worst condition, but most “are getting better faster than we expected,” says shelter director Jolene Hoffman. Response from the community has been quick and strong: The Fence Factory and ETI donated pipe corrals that have enabled the shelter to house and separate the horses appropriately. David Murdock lent the use of 10 large stalls at his ranch so that the many pregnant mares will have a place to deliver their babies, some of whom are expected this month. Supporters have sent in $28,000 in funds already, but that goes against already $20,000 in veterinary bills and a ton-a-day hay demand, not to mention feeds and vitamins for the pregnant mares, babies and others with special needs. None of the horses are available for adoption yet. The family signed 21 of the removed horses over to the Humane Society, Hoffman explains. There is some question whether three of those should have been taken, and in any case the courts need to determine who has full control of the horses. A hearing was set for Nov. 21, but in Hoffman’s experience, it will likely take a long while to resolve ownership issues. “It is very common for these animal abuse cases to be postponed for months, sometimes closer to a year,” she notes. “In the meantime, the animals are in limbo.” Even if ownership issues are established quickly, the Humane Society will get the horses back to good health before making them available for adoption. The rescued horses include seven colts, three Mustangs and four Thoroughbreds, and more are expected as the pregnant mares deliver. The Shelter has hired two additional caregivers and welcomes volunteers. The Bors had roughly 100 head on the ranch, with reportedly only Jane Bor and her son and daughter-in-law to care for them. “It’s been a real challenge for us to manage these 37 horses,” Hoffman notes. “I don’t see how three people could care for all the horses they had.” In her 26 years with the Humane Society, Hoffman has seen plenty of neglect and abuse, but she still doesn’t understand cases of this scale. “People don’t see it,” she says. “They make comments like ‘There’s nothing wrong with this horse’.” “There is no excuse for this. If you can’t care for them, quit bringing more into the world,” she continues. “I believe there were five stallions, and they were not fenced away from the mares.” Fortunately, the shelter was able to take in these horses. “We were expecting to be flooded with horse calls, but surprisingly we have not had that many.” Typically, she notes, animals are the first to be neglected in a bad economy. “But we’re still in the very beginning of this.” Hoffman estimates the eventual tab to care for these horses will be $100,000. As the Humane Society receives no government funding, the shelter relies on the public for donations of money, food and manpower.
To help, visit www.humanesocietyvc.org or call 805-646-6505. |
