Fort Wayne authorities initially hesitant to link a stray horse hit by a vehicle Sunday to a pair of sick horses found last week now believe the cases may be connected.
Belinda Lewis, director of the city’s Animal Care & Control, said no one came forward to claim the horses, which were found in Johnny Appleseed Park, during a holding period of three business days, so the city took legal possession of them Tuesday.
It’s the first time that’s happened in the case of a loose horse or horses in 24 years, she said.
The rare set of events – animal control officers dealing with three unattended horses in four days – leads Lewis to suspect it may not be a coincidence.
“Generally, a horse that’s missing is an accident,” she said. “This is unique. We haven’t had it before, and it certainly smacks of a potential abandonment.”
Lewis said her department has looked into tips from the public but has not been able to identify the owner or owners of the horses.
Under Indiana and city law, it’s illegal to abandon pets.
Sunday’s horse suffered a deep chest wound and injured legs when it was struck by a vehicle on Auburn Road. Its injuries were so bad that it had to be put down, authorities said.
Lewis did not know whether that horse was sick.
“It was a little bit on the thin side, but it was also very young,” she said.
The horses found Thursday were diagnosed with a respiratory infection. They’re being cared for at Orchard Creek Stables in northeast Fort Wayne.
Kirsten Saldivar, Orchard Creek’s head trainer, said the horses have shaken the fevers and coughs they showed up with and are beginning to gain weight. “They’re already starting to look a little better,” she said. “They’re getting a little bit more trusting of us.”
Saldivar said the teeth and hooves of the two horses, a filly and a stallion, are in poor condition. “I don’t think these horses really had any care whatsoever,” she said. “You can definitely tell this has been long-term neglect.”
Lewis said Orchard Creek Stables will have first dibs on adopting the animals. If Orchard Creek does not take them, they’ll be sent to a horse rescue organization, she said.
Saldivar said Orchard Creek hopes to take in the horses and train them as therapy animals that would work with abused and neglected children. But money has to be secured to pay for the horses’ medical care, she said.
For now, the horses must be quarantined for at least three weeks while they recover from the infection, which is contagious to other horses, Lewis said.
Animal Care & Control is taking donations to cover the cost of the horses’ care. To make a donation, go to www.fwacc.org or call 260-427-1244.
