A message from Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition...

Jewel just days before giving birth to her foal who died at Michigan State University

photo by Jodi Louth

Justice for Jewel and the other Michigan Mustangs!

The MHWC has received a lot of inquiries as what can be done at this point to help the Allegan County Mustangs. So, here is what we suggest:

Please send an email to Prosecutor Frederick Anderson who made the decision to not press any charges against the owner of these mustangs despite what seems to be overwhelming evidence that the following law was allegedly violated on multiple counts: Michigan statute MCL 750.50, which states that animals must receive adequate care, which is defined as “sufficient food, water, shelter, sanitary conditions, exercise and veterinary medical attention in order to maintain an animal in a state good health.” The statute further defines “neglect” as failure to “sufficiently and properly care for an animal to the extent that the animal’s health is jeopardized.”

Multiple eye witness reports, including veterinary reports and visits from Allegan County Animal Control, attest to the following alleged violations:

Insufficient food on multiple occasions spanning a long period of time, causing near death by starvation
Insufficient veterinary care for sick/injured mustangs in the owner’s care

Further, there are numerous witnesses who can attest to the fact that the owner made it very difficult, if not impossible, for people to adopt any of these mustangs. Many potential adopters were turned away because the owner said that the horses were already adopted, despite the fact that they stood starving in her own backyard. The owner also had very specific conditions, including the forbidding of gelding stud colts for two years that adopters had to agree to.

The attached photo is of “Jewel,” just one of the horses allegedly starving to death at the property before she was rescued. A veterinary report confirms that her condition was due to nutritional deficiencies AND the owner’s own vet confirmed to the MHWC that the owner never called him to the property to assess or treat this horse even though the owner claims that Jewel was thin due to illness.

There were also several foals with leg injuries - one, a colt, had a leg injury that nearly went “septic” due to lack of treatment. If this colt had not been rescued, he also would have likely died or become permanently lame. This injury required antibiotic injections for 2 weeks.

Please demand that justice is served on behalf of these Michigan Mustangs! Even one conviction of animal neglect against this owner will prevent her from ever being able to adopt another BLM Mustang again! Please also demand that the remaining mustangs be seized and allowed to return to California – to a sanctuary similar to the home they have known for over a decade, where they can once again live wild and free as they were intended!

Email: Prosecutor Frederick Anderson at: PROSECUTOR@ALLEGANCOUNTY.ORG

Copy: Sgt. Chris Kuhn (investigating officer) at: CKuhn@ALLEGANCOUNTY.ORG and the Sheriff at: Sheriff@ALLEGANCOUNTY.ORG and the MHWC at: info@michiganhorsewelfarecoalition.org

Letters can be snail mailed to the Prosecutor at:

Frederick Anderson
Prosecuting Attorney
Allegan County
113 Chestnut Street
Allegan, Michigan 49010
Phone: 269-673-0280
Fax: 269-673-0599

Thank you for your continued support for these Mustangs!!