By MATT THACKER
A deceased horse that has been lying in a Floyd County field for more than three weeks has drawn the ire of local health department and animal control officials.
According to Floyd County Animal Control Coordinator Carrie Mooser, the horse has been rotting in a field at 6809 Seven Mile Lane and the horse’s owner refuses to bury it.
The woman who owns the property, Natasha Graham, called Mooser to report that there were sickly horses on her property that were not being fed properly.
The horses belong to Rebecca Summers, who reportedly operates what she describes as an animal rescue at her home on the 6200 block of Seven Mile Lane. Graham said she recently purchased the property on the 6800 block and told Summers to remove her horses before winter.
Graham said Summers’ three horses were not removed and that the owner would feed them only one bale of hay every couple weeks.
Mooser said that when she arrived at the property, one of the horses, Vega, was alive but unable to get up. Mooser said she told Summers to immediately have a vet come out to help the horse.
“Rebecca replied to me that Vega was old and she was going to let her die naturally and humanely by freezing to death,” Mooser said. “In what world is allowing an animal to freeze to death humane or natural?”
Mooser said she ordered Summers to call a veterinarian that night.
“I told her either you have a vet euthanize it, or I’ll have a vet out here tonight,” Mooser said.
Vega was euthanized by a veterinarian on Jan. 5, but the body was never moved.
Graham said coyotes are always coming in her yard now. She has five children, and she says they are scared to go outside.
“They’re scared to death, and I have a 13-year-old that is very sympathetic to everything, and every time we have to go out to the barn, she gets really upset,” Graham said.
Indiana Code requires that animal owners or caretakers dispose of deceased animals within 24 hours of their death.
“This comes up occasionally, but usually the owners call us to check what they should do,” said Floyd County Health Officer Dr. Tom Harris. “It was just kind of odd because the horse has been out there for at least a couple weeks, and neighbors have known about it, but no one contacted us until Monday.”
Mooser said she had tried numerous times to call Summers, but she will not return messages. She was even given a 48-hour deadline, but refused to have the carcass removed. Finally, the previous owner of the property has agreed to dispose of it.
Harris said Summers could have been fined in civil or even criminal court. He said Summers was fortunate because he will not charge her with anything as long as the body is removed.
Harris said rotting animals can cause serious health issues. Animals decompose by bacteria meaning possible infection and even contamination of the ground.
The most serious issue, Harris said, is that the carcass can become a gathering place for other wild animals that may carry and spread diseases.
“We don’t want 1,000 pounds of rotting flesh out there,” Harris said. “The most important thing is to prevent the spread of disease.”
He said that even the smallest animals rotting creates some risk, but a large animal raises the risks exponentially.
The animal shelter will accept small animals for burial if the owners are unable to bury them, but they cannot dispose of horses.
Mooser said there are companies that will remove horses for $80.
“She should have had a vet come out immediately to evaluate the horse and try to treat it, or if the vet felt the horse was too sick, humanely euthanize it,” Mooser said.
Mooser said that she has picked up six of Summers’ dogs running at-large, and one dog was so badly injured that it required treatment from the vet.
“These dogs are kept outside in what I personally consider inadequate pens and inadequate care, but I have to follow what the animal ordinance requires. Unfortunately, she provides minimal care enough to keep her out of trouble,” Mooser said.
The situation has Mooser considering whether the local ordinances should be changed to ensure animals are disposed of properly.
Summers could not be reached for comment on this article.
