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FARMINGTON, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
Authorities are seeking animal abuse charges in the deaths of three horses being hauled to a livestock auction in Farmington. The Missouri Humane Society says the animals died in a violent fight among six horses while they were crammed in a four-horse trailer. The horses were put on the trailer in Ellington, Missouri, where Reynolds County authorities have entered the case. The driver was arrested at the Farmington auction barn.
The driver was released when it was learned the owner of the horses ordered the loading.
The deaths included two of four stallions and one of two mares.
Animal cruelty investigator Bonnie Dean says the dead mare was "in season" and that could have provoked the fight. "We don't even load studs together. Studs get their own compartment because whether there's a mare in heat in season, or not they've just got such an attitude about them they're going to fight no matter what."
One of the three surviving horses was taken to the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch near Union, Missouri. The other two are still being treated in Wentzville.
The driver was released when it was learned the owner of the horses ordered the loading.
The deaths included two of four stallions and one of two mares.
Animal cruelty investigator Bonnie Dean says the dead mare was "in season" and that could have provoked the fight. "We don't even load studs together. Studs get their own compartment because whether there's a mare in heat in season, or not they've just got such an attitude about them they're going to fight no matter what."
One of the three surviving horses was taken to the Longmeadow Rescue Ranch near Union, Missouri. The other two are still being treated in Wentzville.
