Malnourished Horses Seized From Runnels Co. Owner Transferred to Abilene
By: Katie Thompson
Updated: September 24, 2012
Off they went. One by one, thirty-five in all.
These severely malnourished horses come from one owner now facing criminal charges, 56-year-old Sandra bannister, of Winters.
Those involved in the case say Bannister had neglected to give the animals proper food or water for an unknown amount of time.
"Horses don't get in this shape overnight," says Runnels County Deputy Sheriff David Sellers.
Sellers helped to seize these horses two weeks ago.
He now has a broken leg, to prove it.
"One of the horses was unfortunately a little on the wild side, horse bolted hit the gate busted the latch and next thing I knew I was on the ground," Sellers says.
Even on crutches, Sellers continued to monitor the horses conditions before they were moved to Abilene.
"When we seized them we took them to another ranch location so they could be properly cared for, fed some grain," explains Sellers. "We are concerned about some of the horses, they're going to require some close monitoring and maybe some extra feed and some care to get them back up," he said.
After what they have been through, these horses are now taking a step in the right direction,and will hopefully find new homes.
But with what seems like more and more cases of abandoned and malnourished horses, Sellers has a message that all potential and current owners-need to remember.
"Trying to raise a horse is like trying to raise a child," Sellers says. "It requires a lot of money and a lot of care. And you're going to need to treat em that way if you're going to get one and take care of one or adopt one out."
These severely malnourished horses come from one owner now facing criminal charges, 56-year-old Sandra bannister, of Winters.
Those involved in the case say Bannister had neglected to give the animals proper food or water for an unknown amount of time.
"Horses don't get in this shape overnight," says Runnels County Deputy Sheriff David Sellers.
Sellers helped to seize these horses two weeks ago.
He now has a broken leg, to prove it.
"One of the horses was unfortunately a little on the wild side, horse bolted hit the gate busted the latch and next thing I knew I was on the ground," Sellers says.
Even on crutches, Sellers continued to monitor the horses conditions before they were moved to Abilene.
"When we seized them we took them to another ranch location so they could be properly cared for, fed some grain," explains Sellers. "We are concerned about some of the horses, they're going to require some close monitoring and maybe some extra feed and some care to get them back up," he said.
After what they have been through, these horses are now taking a step in the right direction,and will hopefully find new homes.
But with what seems like more and more cases of abandoned and malnourished horses, Sellers has a message that all potential and current owners-need to remember.
"Trying to raise a horse is like trying to raise a child," Sellers says. "It requires a lot of money and a lot of care. And you're going to need to treat em that way if you're going to get one and take care of one or adopt one out."
