4-month-old "Teddy Bear" has severe joint deformity due to malnutrition, but is gaining weight and strength.
	"Valor" has gained 75 lbs. since being rescued. He has a severe infection in his penis, which is now bandaged and in a sling. He is receiving antibiotics and steroids, along with a robust regimen of vitamins, digestive aids, and a variety of feeds and hay.

Responding to what one Animal Control Officer called the worst case of neglect he had ever seen, Pierce County Animal Control, Hope for Horses and an unnamed good samaritan from Graham helped rescue fifteen horses from profound neglect and disease in the Midland area. 

The horses were taken from a two-acre boarding stable run by a woman reportedly named Donna Gail.  Officials were responding to a flood of neighborhood concerns that escalated in the aftermath of recent winter storms. The property has no visible structures that could properly be called a barn or stable.

A stallion and young mare who suffered the most obvious aspects of neglect are in a specialized equine foster care setting at an undisclosed location in Graham.  The stallion was reported by Animal Control to be bleeding profusely from his genitals, while Hope for Horses claims the mare has a deformity in its hind quarters.

The Graham ranch is unspecified since these actions have triggered a criminal investigation which may lead to felony charges against the owner.

The remaining thirteen horses were rescued by a posse from Hope for Horses, an equine humane organization which works closely with animal control departments throughout Washington.  These animals are being fostered at several undisclosed farms and ranches in the Woodinville area.  In addition, some of the horses are receiving veterinarian care at a specialized center administered by Hope for Horses.

"The thirteen horses have been severely neglected, are under weight, lame and have skin conditions, mostly from having nothing but mud to live in," said Jenny Edwards, director of Hope for Horses.

Neighbors at the boarding stable, located at 96th and Waller, have been trying to get help for these horses for over two years.  One even sneaked in extra food at night to help keep the animals alive.

"They even ate the wood from the food bins, they were so hungry," said another neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous and gave $50 to the Hope for Horses convoy to help pay for feed.

"It's just been a nightmare for these horses," said neighbor Jim Goodreau.  "The Humane Society has been working with the owner to make things better for these animals, but the owners did just the very minimum to comply with the law.  The horses had no real shelter from the rain or cold, and certainly not enough to eat."

Animal Control has known of the conditions at the stable for several years, but felt hamstrung when it came to decisive action.

"The laws are so ambiguous regarding the definition of adequate shelter and food, it is hard for us to make a case on these kinds of charges," said Lisa Drury, Manager of the Animal Control Division of the Pierce County Auditor's Office. 

After receiving the torrent of neighbor concern in the beginning of January, Drury sent in a team of three vets to evaluate the medical and living conditions.  The first two horses left for Graham shortly afterwards.  Later, with increasing rain, cold, and deepening mud mixed with feces, the third vet signaled for Hope for Horse to remove the remaining animals on Monday, January 7.

"We've had a tremendous outpouring of support from the citizens of south Pierce County ," said Edwards, who said this kind of large-scale rescue occurs at least once a year somewhere in Washington .

"At any one time, we care for 30-50 horses," she said.  "There are a lot of horses out there who need our help."

Hope for Horses gladly accepts donations of feed and hay, and gifts of cash.  They also need more farms willing to foster horses in need of care for up to six months.  For more information, contact Hope for Horses at 360-453-4040, or www.hopeforhorses.net.