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Some of the animals in Caroline were "severely emaciated," investigator says.
COMMUNITY GUIDE: Click here for more news, notes and discussion from CAROLINE county.
Date published: 1/24/2008
BY ELLEN BILTZ
Five horses were seized in Caroline County Tuesday and their owner has been charged with animal cruelty. Michael Wilkerson of Ruther Glen will be arraigned next week on five counts of animal cruelty, said Animal Control Officer J.C. Heffler. She said the office investigated after an anonymous tip to check on the animals and the horses were found “in poor body condition” and were emaciated. While lack of food is thought to be a cause of the horses’ condition, Heffler said more tests would need to be done by a vet before they could determine the condition of each horse. The United States Equine Rescue League is assisting the animal control office by boarding and caring for the horses, Heffler said. Susan White, an investigator for the league, said in a release that the horses range in age from 1 year to 32 years. She said three of the horses are “severely emaciated” and it is expected to take six to 12 months for all of the horses to regain their health. Heffler said while the horses are currently being cared for by the league, their permanent ownership is pending Wilkerson’s trial. Wilkerson has previous convictions of allowing a horse to run at large and failure to keep livestock fenced, according to court records. A similar incident occurred in Loudon County this week when four dozen horses were seized, according to The Associated Press. Loudoun County officials said animal cruelty charges may be filed against the owners of the horses seized from a Middleburg farm this week. County officials said yesterday that many of the horses were emaciated, some were standing in their own waste and drinking water was frozen in their troughs. All 48 horses were taken from the farm Tuesday night. Ellen Biltz: 540/374-5424 ebiltz@freelancestar.com
I hope this guy doesn't have kids
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