Officials seek owner of starved North Texas horse
Officials appealed for help for any information on a bay mare who was found on a country road too weak to walk and covered in fire ant bites.
The 12-year-old mare, called Stella, remained in critical condition Thursday at a Humane Society of North Texas facility in Decatur.
“Stella has a long, hard road ahead of her, but after seeing her latest blood test results, we are cautiously optimistic,” said Dr. Cynthia Jones, a veterinarian with the Humane Society of North Texas, in a news release. “At this time, we are doing everything we can to support her and hoping her body responds.”
Stella was found early Monday on a country road west of Fort Worth and the bay mare was unable stand, extremely emaciated and covered in bites.
“When HSNT arrived to transport the horse to our facility, they found her down on her side,” said HSNT spokeswoman Whitney Hanson on Thursday. “It took more than 10 people to lift her feet and load her into the horse trailer.”
When she arrived in Decatur, Stella tumbled to the ground, unable to stand, officials said.
To keep get her up and keep her upright, humane society staff members used a skid loader and a make shift sling created from tie-down straps and blankets to help the mare.
A veterinary team from the Outlaw Equine Veterinary Clinic have administered fluids, medications and vitamins to Stella as part of her rehabilitation.
On Thursday, Stella was still relying on the sling to stand, and receiving antibiotics, steroids, eye medication and wound cream for her scrapes and bites.
“HSNT assists more than 25,000 animals in need each year in North Texas, many of which have experienced unimaginable hardships like Stella,” said Ann Barnes, HSNT’s executive director on Thursday. “It is our hope that sharing the stories of courageous animals like Stella will encourage the public to speak out against animal abuse, neglect and cruelty.”
Domingo Ramirez Jr., 817-390-7763
How to help
▪ Anyone with information on the Stella should contact investigators with the humane society at investigations@hsnt.org or call 817-332-4767 Ext. 113.
▪ Donations toward the care of Stella and other animals in need are accepted at www.hsnt.org.
This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 3:56 PM with the headline "Officials seek owner of starved North Texas horse."