By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — Three horses and two burros that were seized Feb. 27 from a property east of Baxter Springs are gradually regaining their strength at a temporary home, Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves said Tuesday.
Groves has been in contact with the person who has been caring for the animals since they were seized after authorities determined that they were starving. The person doesn’t want to be identified.
“He said that one of them seemed to be getting his strength back,” Groves said the caregiver told him about one of the horses. “He’s kicking and playing.”
Groves said he was told that the other horses and burros also are continuing to recover, but it will take some time.
Two dead horses and what is thought to be the bones of a third were found on the property when the animals were seized.
The judicial procedure in the case is stalled for now, with the owner of the animals living in Missouri.
Criminal charges in Kansas don’t become public record until a defendant has been served with a summons or has an initial court appearance.
Cherokee County Attorney John Bullard said he has filed charges against the owner of the horses. He declined to specify the charges or identify the owner, since the defendant has not yet been served.
Under the Kansas animal cruelty law, it is a misdemeanor for a first offense of intentionally abandoning an animal with no provision for its care.
Groves said the owner of the animals is living in Jasper County, Mo. He said he is relying on authorities there to serve the summons.
Up in air
Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves said a procedure for adopting out the rescued animals hasn’t yet been ironed out.
