(03/04/13) - Three horses were found underfed and in desperate need of medical at a Lapeer County home.
A family of three now faces animal cruelty charges - the parents and their grown daughter. The parents are Oakland County Sheriff's deputies.
Lapeer County Prosecutor Byron Konschuh says the daughter owns the horses and was keeping them at her parents home in Arcadia Township. It was late January when animal control noticed something was terribly wrong.
The horses have since found a home with Gail Hirt, she rescues horses who have been abused and neglected.
"The biggest concern is their weight, they range anywhere from 100 to 250 pounds underweight. They need hooves, and their teeth need to be floated and taken care of. It will take at least three to four months to get some weight put back on them so at least they're able to be ridden."
"The allegations here do not include any allegations that the horses were beaten or stabbed or any physical violence, only the charge is the failure to provide care," said Lapeer County Prosecutor Byron Konschuh.
Konschuh said animal control was notified in late January that the horses were not being taken care of properly at a home in Arcadia Township.
After the horses got loose from the fenced in area, a neighbor called authorities. A local veterinarian examined the horses and made recommendations. When they went back out a few days later, they noticed the conditions hadn't changed.
"If the owner's daughter isn't coming up here to make sure they have adequate food, shelter and water it's incumbent on the homeowner who assumes that responsibility therefore three people got charged in this case," Konschuh said.
The animals condition didn't surprise Gail she gets calls daily from people who can't handle the financial burden of caring for horses. "The economy has a lot of to do with it, because of the drought last year. Hay prices have tripled in price. So people don't have the extra money to maintain these horses. We'll get them back in shape and find homes for them."
To donate to help the horses in their recover click here.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:59 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:59:31 GMT
05/18/2013) - A deadly accident has taken the life of a teen this weekend.The accident happened on E. Weidman road. ,That's just east of N. Lincoln road in Isabella Township.Police say 18
05/18/2013) - A deadly accident has taken the life of a teen this weekend.The accident happened on E. Weidman road. ,That's just east of N. Lincoln road in Isabella Township.Police say 18
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:52:56 GMT
(05/18/2013) - On Saturday, thousands got the opportunity to get a jump start on sprucing their yard up.It was due to the Flint Farmer's Market Flower Daze.A variety of annuals, perennials, hanging baskets
(05/18/2013) - On Saturday, thousands got the opportunity to get a jump start on sprucing their yard up.It was due to the Flint Farmer's Market Flower Daze.A variety of annuals, perennials, hanging baskets
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-18 09:00:45 GMT
(05/17/13) - There was a serious one-car accident on the Genesee-Shiawassee County Line, Friday. It happened on Sheridan Road, near Baldwin, shortly after 4:30. Officers believe the car went out of
There was a serious one-car accident on the Genesee-Shiawassee County Line, Friday.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:16 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:16:13 GMT
(05/17/2013) After nearly two weeks, Buena Vista students are officially headed back to school. School officials mady the announced Friday night that classed will start on Monday and the school year will
After nearly two weeks, Buena Vista students are officially headed back to school.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:05 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:05:14 GMT
(05/17/13) - It was an almost unbelievable series of events involving a Flint boy named Britt Kellum.He shot and killed two of his own brothers, in the span of about five years, and all before he was even
(05/17/13) - It was an almost unbelievable series of events involving a Flint boy named Britt Kellum.He shot and killed two of his own brothers, in the span of about five years, and all before he was even
Friday, May 17 2013 6:41 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:41:42 GMT
We don't often hear of a school building re-opening - but that's what a mid-Michigan district will do in September. A return to financial health will allow Bentley to resume classes at the Middle School.Four
We don't often hear of a school building re-opening - but that's what a Mid-Michigan district will do in September.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:40:23 GMT
(05/17/13) - A big blow to a Flint Police program providing structure for kids.Parts from four rooftop heating and cooling units were stolen from the Haskell Youth Center - the building the Flint Police
(05/17/13) - A big blow to a Flint Police program providing structure for kids.Parts from four rooftop heating and cooling units were stolen from the Haskell Youth Center - the building the Flint Police
