News Release

July 22, 2004
Contact: Abigail Smith
Dir. of Development & Marketing
Phone: (603) 772-2921 ext. 106

For Immediate Release

Stratham, NH -
On Tuesday, July 20, 2004 the New Hampshire SPCA rescued a 24 year old Morgan horse from the Candia, NH area and is holding this horse in temporary protective custody. The horse is suffering from chronic laminitis in all four feet (also known as founder) and literally doesn't have a good leg to stand on. As the investigation continues the staff at the NHSPCA is trying desperately to alleviate the horse's very severe pain as his prognosis is determined.

The call came into Steve Sprowl, the NHSPCA's Animal Cruelty Investigator, from a farrier who had been called to trim the horse's hooves. The horse's feet were in such horrific shape that the farrier refused to work on them citing the need for veterinary attention. He said that in thirty-five years of experience he'd never seen a horse with such bad feet.

Mr. Sprowl contacted the Animal Control Officer in Candia who went with him to inspect the horse's condition. The horse had difficulty walking and was clearly suffering, lacking the ability to stand on any one of his feet without extreme discomfort. A local vet was called to the scene at this time because New Hampshire state statute requires an exam by a licensed veterinarian in order to provide probable cause to seize an animal. It was determined that the horse needed immediate veterinary care, including x-rays to determine the condition of the bone structure in the feet. At 3:15 PM the horse was seized under notice of temporary protective custody without incident and transported to the NHSPCA barn in Stratham.

At 8:15 PM x-rays of the horse's feet were taken and at this time NHSPCA staff is working with several veterinarians and an orthopedic surgeon to determine the options this horse has. In addition to the chronic pain inflicted from the laminitis, the horse has also been found to be suffering from Cushings disease. The staff is doing everything they can to help this horse survive but at this time the prognosis is poor and his future uncertain. For the sake of the horse the NHSPCA will follow the recommendations of the veterinarians to ensure the most humane future for the animal.

This situation happens all too often. Whether it be the accumulation of too many animals, needs that become too expensive or a circumstance arising where an owner cannot properly care for the animal(s), the NHSPCA urges that you call someone for help. If someone had called for help in time this horse would not have suffered so much.

For more information about options, the law in New Hampshire or to report an incidence of animal cruelty, please call Steven Sprowl, NHSPCA Animal Cruelty Investigator, at (603)772-2921. Callers with reports of animal cruelty will remain anonymous.

The New Hampshire SPCA is a community resource center which provides animal adoption, education, investigation and sheltering services in a professional and compassionate way. The Adoption Center is open from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and closed on Wednesdays. For more information about making a donation to the New Hampshire SPCA please call (603) 772-2921 ext. 106 or visit www.nhspca.org.

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