Video: Shannon Horses Rescued

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Shannon, Miss. (WCBI)–Half a dozen animals are seized by Lee County Sheriff Deputies and a Shannon man is arrested for abuse.

Three horses and three ponies are taken into custody by a Byhalia animal rescue organization, after Lee County Sheriff Deputies were called to the residence of Clyde Southworth on County Road 325 in Shannon.

“Its my understanding the owner had been provided ample opportunity to rectify the situation and it has not been done,” said Christy Gross, Dark Horse Rescue Inc.

“After about a month long it just continued and continued, we had no choice so that’s when we went to our judges and filed the six counts of confinement of animals without the proper nutrition; which is a state law,” said Sheriff Jim Johnson,.

Gross doesn’t want anyone to be fooled by the thick winter coat on these animals. According to her they have been mistreated.

“The larger ones are of concern because they do have top line hip bones showing. And that is of concern. Specially in the winter in the cold season. Horses, there was no grass out there for them to eat and it has to be supplemented. Horses need to graze 18 hours out of a 24 hour period,” said Gross.

Horse lovers are sending out a message to horse owners, take note and seek help on how to properly care for your animals.

“Sweet feed is not the answer, loaded with sugars and sweet feed is not enough to get them to a weight where they need to be,” said Gross.

The animals are going to be placed in quarantine in Byhalia, and a veterinarian is expected to look at them and begin rehabilitating the horses.