KLRT – FOX16.com

Starving horse rescued

While responding to a complaint about a pack of dogs on the loose, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputies find another 4-legged animal abandoned and dying in a remote field.

Kay Simpson with the Pulaski County Humane Society says the horse would have never been found and would have died. Luckily, the deputy called the Humane Society, and now the Humane Society calls the horse Tim Bob, after the deputy who found him.

Simpson says finding animals in this type of condition is disappointing. “This is not love. This is neglect and starvation, and has nothing to do with love.” Simpson says there wasn’t anything but dirt in the field where Tim Bob was found. “Not a scrap of anything to eat.”

On a scale from 1 to 9, 9 being a healthy animal, Tim Bob scores a 1, the worst, and veterinarian Dr. Teresa Medlock says he’s been slowly wasting away for months. “His shoulder blades are permanent, his ribs are prominent, and his back bones, hip bones, tail and head are all visible where you should not see them at all on a health animal.”

The Pulaski County Humane Society will slowly help rehabilitate Tim Bob, but it’s going to take months and thousands of dollars, and no guarantee he’s going to pull through. Dr. Medlock says they are hoping for the best, but Tim Bob has a very guarded prognosis for survival. She says food and water will be reintroduced slowly so as not to damage Tim Bob’s organs.

The Pulaski County Humane Society is asking the public for help with donations and supplies, and information on who may be responsible for allowing this to happen in the first place. Deputies don’t know who Tim Bob belonged to, but when they find out, whoever is to blame will face animal cruelty charges.

The hope is Tim Bob will recover and become someone’s beloved pet. The Pulaski County Humane society has 27 rescue horses up for adoption right now, and they get calls everyday for abused and neglected animals. Simpson says there’s absolutely no excuse for it. “Anybody letting an animal starve is unacceptable. If you can’t afford it, don’t get it.”

Dr. Medlock says while Tim Bob’s temperament is friendly now, once he’s healthy, he’ll make a wonderful pet.