Judge Denies Request for Clark County Law Enforcement to Take Possession of a Horse
Friday, January 25th, 2019 -- 11:25 AM
-A judge has denied a request to allow Clark County law enforcement to take custody of a horse.The judge made the decision during a hearing Thursday. A petition was asking the judge allow law enforcement to take custody of the horse during the bitter cold snap the state is experiencing. A horse located at a property on Highway 73 just north of Christie has been the source of social media outrage and petitions. The horse is often seen chained to a vehicle axle with a small area to move around in. Over 200,000 people have signed an online petition calling for animal abuse charges against the owner, Harold Heck. They say the horse has limited space to move around in and is subject to the elements. People have offered to purchase the animal and even build it a shelter, but Heck has declined. He says the horse gets plenty of food and water and the only reason he’s chained is because he can’t see well. Back in September of 2017, the Clark County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant, along with a Grassland Veterinarian, to check on the horse.
At the time, they found no medical issues present. The horse was not underweight, water was present and it showed no signs of abuse or neglect. His report indicated the horse was healthy with no notable diseases or problems. The horse was not in any pain or discomfort and he didn’t see any evidence to support cruelty charges. They also took the time to remind people that social media reports and stories can be inaccurate and making false accusations against someone can have legal consequences. The judge still has to decide whether to grant a petition that asks to bring criminal animal neglect charges against the owner. That could happen sometime next week.
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