Published: July 02, 2009 11:56 pm      

SPCA awarded custody of seized Quinlan horses

QUINLAN — Eight horses, seized from southern Hunt County last week for alleged mistreatment from southern Hunt County, have new, temporary owners.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (SPCA) of Texas was awarded custody of the horses following a Thursday morning hearing in the court of Justice of the Peace Hershey Barnett in Quinlan. Barnett also awarded restitution to the organization in the amount of $1,120.

Deputies with the Hunt County Sheriff's Department alongside representatives with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (SPCA) of Texas seized the horses last Friday from a property in Quinlan.

According to a statement from the SPCA, the horses lacked appropriate food and water and also were not receiving adequate veterinary care. An SPCA of Texas Humane Investigator responded to an anonymous complaint on Thursday, June 25. The horses' body conditions ranged from emaciated to slightly underweight and all of their ears were covered in ticks.

Hunt County officials concurred with the SPCA of Texas that the horses needed immediate care and the Hunt County Sheriff's department served a seizure warrant.

SPCA of Texas vehicles then transported the horses to the Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney where they are being cared for until today’s hearing. The horses are scheduled to be individually evaluated for potential adoption or placement on a case by case basis.

Those wanting more information can follow the adoption process through the organization’s web site at www.spca.org.