Ag. commissioner cites slight increase in horse abuse and neglect

<p>Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin says that horse abuse and neglect is on the rise statewide.</p><p>A drought that led to hay shortages, the closing of horse slaughterhouses, a downturn in the economy and equine inspectors spread too thin are among the factors that have led to abuse and neglect, the Tifton Gazette reported on Saturday.</p><p>The Georgia Department of Agriculture's Equine Division handles the cases, and Irvin said he has noticed a slight increase in the numbers. In severe cases, the agency impounds the animals. Irvin said that lately, the department has impounded "more than we would like to."</p><p>In February, Irvin declared an emergency on a Pike County farm belonging to Roger Lee Prater and impounded 99 horses and other animals. Prater was sentenced this month to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 31 counts of animal cruelty.</p><p>Irvin said only one of the 99 impounded horses was lost.</p><p>Irvin's department can only bring civil actions, and criminal animal cruelty charges must be pursued by local law enforcement, he said. The Department of Agriculture also receives no appropriated funds for the care and feeding of the horses it is required by law to impound.</p><p>For help, the agency depends on the Georgia Equine Rescue League. Based in Locust Grove, the group has donated more than $280,000 for horse recuperation since starting in 1993, and operates its own foster and adoption programs.</p><p>Tifton-Tift County Animal Control Director Regenia Wells also checks on calls she gets about alleged horse abuse or neglect. Her office can initiate criminal charges when necessary. Only one equine inspector is assigned to Tift County _ which is home to 2,500 horses _ and that person is also responsible for 16 other counties in South Georgia.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x2dea164)</p>

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