Neglected horses moved to fairgrounds

Jamie Doran

Valley Press

The abused and neglected horses from Camas Prairie have been moved to the Sanders County Fairgrounds, while the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office continues to look after them.

The move took place when it became difficult for officers and volunteers to care for the horses in Camas Prairie due to the snow.

Sanders County Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Hedley was in charge of moving the 13 horses from their pasture in Camas Prairie to the Sanders County Fairgrounds.

While the move has made it easier for Hedley to feed the horses, he could still use some volunteer help moving the round bales of hay he uses for feeding.

Luckily though, with donations that have been received the sheriff’s office doesn’t expect to have any problems making through the winter with their current supply of feed.

Andrew Scott has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty for allegedly allowing his horses to die of thirst without care on his Camas Prairie property.

Scott was scheduled to appear in front of Judge Deborah Kim Christopher on Nov. 18, 2008 but he failed to show up and his attorney, Britt Cotter said that he had no idea where his client was. Police believe he may be in Wyoming, and until he is located there isn’t much police or the court system can do.

A bench warrant for Scott’s failure to appear was issued in court on Nov. 18.

In July the Sanders County Sheriff’s Department found 17 horses neglected on Scott’s property. Four horses reportedly ended up dying from dehydration as a result of the neglect. The 13 surviving horses all needed medical attention for dehydration and strangles, a disease that causes swelling, fever, lethargy, and pus-filled abcesses around the animals throats. Hedley said the infection was highly contagious and could be passed from horse-to-horse through the air or through contact through another equine’s saliva.

“It can be compared to strep throat in humans,” he said.

During the time when the neglect took place Scott had allegedly been in and out of the area and left the animals in the care of someone else, who passed away. Hedley said Scott was aware of the caretaker’s death but did not find another person to help with the animals, leaving them without proper food and water.