Kathleen Schurman, farm animal rescuer in Bethany with Cheyenne, a Paint horse that had been confined to a muddy stall in Bethany for two years. At right is her dog Ragano who often keeps the rescued animals company. Cheyenne has severely overgrown hooves and is missing fur in the areas that had been caked with mud before Kathleen began to clean her up. Mara Lavitt/New Haven Register
This is an update to the story of Bethany mare Cheyenne who was rescued from a nailed shut stall and found standing in two to three feet of feces and urine. She was the only animal in the barn area, authorities say.
Bridget Albert, reporting for the New Haven Register writes:
The horse was treated by veterinarian Stacy Golub Friday. Local horse rescuer Kathleen Schurman was with Golub and said Cheyenne got a good physical exam and her overgrown hooves were addressed. The horse had trouble walking Thursday, falling several times.
“Her feet were partially trimmed. She took about three inches off the front. We’re going to let her get used to walking, and, next week, have the farrier finish them,” Schurman said. “We need to do this gradually. She hasn’t walked in over a year.”
adding
“When she walks, she shakes and her heart rate goes way up, which is a sign of distress,” Schurman said.
What first grabs attention is the nature and length of abuse and neglect, but that is soon replaced by reports of the mare’s resiliency and courage. Despite all the pain the horse is in, Cheyenne remains good-natured Schurman says.
“Her disposition is lovely. She let us do everything we wanted,” Schurman said. And she loves (horse) cookies and her favorite flavor is peppermint. The horse most enjoyed being around other horses, Schurman noted.
Why have authorities failed to arrest anyone?
Law enforcement officials have not identified the owners of the horse. However, Merriman said the horse’s owner told authorities they meant to clean the stall. The horse did have water, although it was dirty, and there was hay in the barn but not next to the animal, officials said.
So law enforcement have spoken with Cheyenne’s owners but are not releasing their identity. Does this mean they will not be pressing charges?
Surely any interpretation of the local animal cruelty statute must make the inhumane treatment of Cheyenne a crime.
Contributions to assist with the medical care for Cheyenne can be sent to Woodbridge Animal Control, 135 Bradley Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525.
You can count on me Vivian, just let me know what needs to be done !!!!
No excuse for this and no reason so called owners should get away with the sheer neglect and abuse they have inflicted on an innocent horse. They need to be punished or this kind of abuse will never end. These aren’t people, they must be subhuman.
Vivian, where you able to get any info on the status of this? I have checked all the local news outlets and nada, but it wouldn’t be uncommon for the press to be all over the initial story then not follow up on any developements after the sensationalism aspect has worn off.
Hello, Ken. We have not been able to get through to the law enforcement officers that are / were on this case. Woman who answered the phone seemed sympathetic to the old man; said the horse was found and will be okay. No sympathy for the horse who suffered and is still suffering.
What has happened to people? They believe reality to shows are real, and reality is manufactured. We are not unsympathetic if the man is old and mentally challenged, whatever. However, he needs to be prosecuted so that he can never have another horse, especially if he is incapacitated in some way. We are keeping at it.
When someone is guilty of Animal Cruelty , you can bet he is guilty of human cruelty also… that is why it is even more important to address the issue with severe punishment……………..If you address animal cruelty , you will also save humans from cruelty, this is fact !!!! not so hard to understand is it ???????
The “old” man is 58 (I’m 50 so I’m not seeing age factoring in….that is still young!). After seeing the house I would believe that he has “diminished capacities” or mental illness. The person (or people) have been living in pretty much the same conditions as the horse. It seems clear to me that laws were broken. I firmly believe an arrest should be made, and if there are mitigating circumstances that will shake out in court.
God bless you. You are doing such a remarkably wonderful thing for this poor mare. I sincerely hope they find the owners and prosecute them to the full extent of the law. This is so horrible. I’m so glad that she is with you now. Blessings.
It sounds like the authorities are “getting their ducks in a row” before making an arrest
http://bethanybulletin.com/cheyenne-update-officials-pursue-legal-process-in-the-case-of-rescued-bethany-pony
Thanks Ken. We are on it!
I will be willing to take Cheyanne to my home in thompson. I have a beautiful mare she could bond with. I have a large barn and lots of grass for her on 10 acres. Great farrier and vet and dentist.
Woodbridge Animal Control has legal custody of Cheyenne, so that is who you would need to contact concerning adoption. She’s a beautiful horse, so I wouldn’t waste any time applying for adoption since I’m sure there will be lots of interest in her.
Is there any news of what the an arrest yet??????