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Charges Filed Against Owner of 31 Dead Horses

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Posted: 5:22 PM Apr 9, 2008
Last Updated: 5:22 PM Apr 9, 2008

18 comments

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Wednesday was a busy day at the Rowan County farm where the bodies of 31 dead horses were discovered earlier. Department of Agriculture personnel arrived to take over the investigation and continue interviewing farm owner Don MIller who has been in failing health since undergoing open heart surgery.

Just before noon, a bulldozer was brought in to move earth over the the dead horses in a mass grave estimated to be some 16 feet deep.

Eugene Kinney from the Lewis County SPCA, the organization caring for the remaining horses on the farm, says, "It was a big grave. This is all what the Department of Agriculture requires, and they will be back to look at it."

The ten live horses found on the farm in what was first described as "very bad shape" are now all expected to survive. Kinney tells
27NEWSFIRST, "I've seen a lot worse."

The vet says they will get back on their feet, and I'd say in a week and a half or two weeks, they're going to be better."

Charges now have been filed against Mr. Miller for violation of state law regarding the disposition of carcasses. That's a misdemeanor, but additional charges could still be filed.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: harry Location: paris on Apr 18, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Im with virgil. Why dont everybody stop worrying about a dumb horse. People think animals lifes are more important than humans any more. I say kill all the horses.

Posted by: Sandy Location: Williamsburg on Apr 17, 2008 at 10:12 PM
I have read all these comments, and I am very sad. I think humans have become irresponsible not only to horses, but to man-kind as well. We need to stop and think about what we are all doing. We all play a part in this. We need to be better educated in the caring and up keep of all animals, as well as our own families. Think about it. I have three children, five horses, three dogs and four cats. I know my limits, stay within it and make plans well into the future so that I don't have to worry if child or animal welfare will be checking on me. I also try to help others as much as I can. If we all started doing more, even just something small, I think we could turn this problem around. And don't breed horses so much, especially when you know the market for selling horses is really bad. The whole economy is bad and will get worse before it gets better. As I remind my children,I ask you also, to think long before you do anything, and always plan ahead, and be prepared for much.

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 12, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I am a horse lover. But to all the people that stand behind this man like he has doon nothing worng makes me sick. There would be comments posted on here about a child if you ever heard about it but for the most when a child is in harms way not being taken care of or something like that the person doing it is just not going to walking up to a cop or the news people and say hey I hit my kid I dont feed them and things like that. As far as this man gose he could be put in jail for what he has doon. There is no reason he could have gotten help all it would have taken is a call to the SPCA for help.

Posted by: blah blah blah Location: kentucky on Apr 11, 2008 at 06:07 PM
GO VIRGIL GO

Posted by: Ashley Location: Owingsville on Apr 11, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I have to agree with Deanne and her comment. We are all creatures of God and not one deserves to be treated inhumanely. For those of you who say they are just "horses", remember that those horses bring in millions of dollars every single year to our state and are the number 1 reason many people have jobs to put food on their tables!!

Posted by: ANIMAL LOVER Location: NEARBY on Apr 11, 2008 at 07:36 AM
Virgil!! Get over it? Are you even human?I am somewhat familiar with what took place with these horses. It doesn't matter if a person is sick or not,he has family who could have helped out. And lots of neighbors who would have lended a helping hand during his time of need. I believe this is a "pride" thing on his behalf. Why invest you money in these lovely creatures just to kill them? Sell them, give them away, something other than let them lay and starve to death. I'm sure there are alot of little kids that would love to own a horese. It's just unbelievable that someone could be so cruel.

Posted by: Virgil Location: Richmond/Irvine on Apr 10, 2008 at 10:18 PM
No I am not heartless. Fact is Horses have been neglected before and will forever be neglected But it is also fact that the media has made people who's horses are showing a little rib and some mangy hair as abused animals. People could say that racing horses is abuse. Don't call me heartless for just having an opinion that isn't that of bluegrass gambling. Fact also is that people abuse their children everyday and kids go hungry everyday but there is no media coverage on that. WHERE IS IT. So excuse me for wanting HUMAN welfare taken care of before an Animal's welfare. Oh and if someone kicked my dog which I don't have they would not worry about the media or law covering that I would make sure they never even as much as thought about kicking my dog ever again and yes I am that big of a man to make that statement and make it stick

Posted by: Terry Location: Morehead on Apr 10, 2008 at 05:02 PM
I have personally known Mr. Miller for many years. He is a stand up citizen and a great person. What we have seen is not the whole story. Do not judge people you do not know without finding out the full truth.

Posted by: ERICA Location: SOMERSET on Apr 10, 2008 at 02:06 PM
I JUST WONDER IF THIS MAN FELT ANY GUILT WHILE HE WAS SETTING IN HIS HOME STUFFING HIS FACE WITH FOOD KNOWING THAT HIS HORSES WERE OUTSIDE STARVING TO DEATH!!!!

Posted by: deanna Location: lexington on Apr 10, 2008 at 11:49 AM
I agree with John almost 100 percent. Stop the indiscriminate breeding of these animals. Breed organizations need to be responsible and set some standards for animals that are allowed to be bred based on earnings,performance, disposition etc. Stop encouraging breeders to use reproduction tactics such as recipient mares so your show horse can have 5 foals a year instead of just the one nature intended. Go to the racetracks right before winter...they can't give them away, yet big TB farms everywhere keep breeding them by the thousands every year. Do any of those "puppy mill" breeding farms take care of the horses once the check clears the bank? Only if they're getting paid back...where?...in the breeding shed. I love horses, always have and the thought of animals being abused in slaughter houses sickens me, just as much as watching them starve in a field.

Posted by: Greg Location: Berea on Apr 10, 2008 at 11:25 AM
If you can't feed it, don't breed it!

Posted by: Anonymous on Apr 10, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Elmer's Glue will know what to do with the horses. They're loss will no be in vain, my kid makes beautiful art with glue sticks and glitter, etc.

Posted by: John Location: Lexington on Apr 10, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Steve -- I think the bleeding hearts are already doing more than their fair share, unlike many breeders and stupid people who pasture breed herds of horses indiscriminantly. There is an excess of horses at this current time because some breeders overbreed when the market cannot sustain the surplus. Common sense says they are the ones at fault and should cease breeding and quit contributing to the problem of overpopulation. THEY should also have to provide for the horses they breed that they can't sell. Horses are more than just money to the majority of people out here - they are companion animals, actually, to many. Have we evolved into a nation that breeds horses simply to send the excess ones to slaughter? It's not like we are feeding starving people, the meat is sold as a delicacy to rich people abroad! I just don't get it and I won't stand by and say that is a solution. The solution is stopping the problem at the root cause.

Posted by: Deanna Location: Lexington on Apr 10, 2008 at 10:17 AM
In response to Virgil to "get over it" I don't believe the farm owner has been punished "aggressively" yet and probably won't be,so that comment holds no merit right now. A substantial fine,no longer being able to own horses and maybe some jail time is hardly aggressive for abusing animals, which is possibly all that will be handed down. You are right people are probably not punished as they should be for similar crimes against people...like starving and abusing family members in their care but I'd bet they'd get more than a fine and restricted from caring for relatives any more. Yes they are just horses but they are domesticated animals that rely on humans to care for them, just like your family dog. I guess you wouldn't mind if someone came to your house and kicked your dog? It's just a stupid dog, right? We are all creatures of the universe,no one more important than another and people need to be held accountable for abuse of all. I guess ignorance is bliss.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Waco on Apr 10, 2008 at 09:09 AM
To Virgil: You can't be serious? If these were humans, the people that starved them would already be behind bars for a very long time. These are living, breathing, bleeding creatures, just like you and me and they were treated as a mere piece of trash. How can you just "Get Over It!!!!". Have some compassion. Horses cannot ask for help, but rest assured, they do suffer.

Posted by: Steve Location: KY. on Apr 10, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Until they open the slaughter houses again, this will happen over and over again all over the country. What are people supposed to do with all these excess horses? I say, dump them on the bleeding hearts that don't want them slaughtered and see if they can care for them! Then maybe they will see how hard it is to care for horses that you can't even give away!

Posted by: ham on Apr 10, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Virgil Location: Richmond you need to get over it you must be a heartless person this sick man could have picked up the phone now come on these are GODS GREASTEST CREATIONS you need to take care of your animals no if buts about it

Posted by: HORSE LOVER Location: CLOSE BY on Apr 10, 2008 at 07:31 AM
HIS WIFE COULD'NT FEED THSESE STARVING HORSES OR ASK SOMEONE TO HELP HER TO FEED ALL THOSE POOR STARVING HORSE. YOU COULD HAVE GAVE THEM AWAY OR SOLD THEM TO SOMEONE.I FEEL BAD THAT YOU ARE SICK BUT SOMETHING SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE THIS GOT OUT OF CONTROL.I HOPE YOU GET TO FEELING BETTER SOON ,SO MAYBE YOUCAN GET THIS MESS CLEANEDUP AND CLEARED UP.HORSE ARE ONE OF GODS GREASTEST CREATIONS .SO DONT LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN,

Posted by: Virgil Location: Richmond/Irvine on Apr 9, 2008 at 05:37 PM
THEY ARE HORSES GET OVER IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WISH THAT PEOPLE WERE AS AGRESSIVELY PUNISHED FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AS THEY ARE AGAINST HORSES!!!!!!!!

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