Lucy and Ethel

May 29, 2006

Their story starts with an anonymous call to the San Luis Obispo (California) County Sheriff’s office. The responding officer found two horses, a bay mare and a small black mare in two corrals scattered with debris and junk. He could see that both animals were emaciated, there was no feed in either corral and only one corral had water. Both horses had protruding ribs, withers, and tail bones, as well as overgrown feet.

Lucy where she was found

The officer called a local veterinarian to evaluate these horses, and he concluded that the horses were starving to death. So horrible were their living conditions, he concluded that the place looked like “hell on Earth for horses.” On closer examination he found that their condition was due to starvation, not any physical disability and advised the officer that this was a case of criminal neglect. The owner was arrested and in March 2006 was found guilty of animal cruelty and neglect, sentenced to 30 days in jail, and prohibited from owning animals for three years.

Conditions at the property

Since November the horses have been in the care of Eric Anderson, DVM at the San Luis Obispo Animal Services Department. They were also helped out by Horse Emergency Evacuation Team (HEET) who provide services on a volunteer basis to help with animal emergencies. HEET provided help to the Sheriff’s Department during the recuperation of the two mares, now named Ethel & Lucy. HEET member Julie Monser and a Redwings supporter contacted Redwings after the case was concluded to see if we could find a place for them permanently at the Sanctuary. She wanted the horses to be always together and never have to suffer again.

Thanks to your generous support Redwings was able to provide sanctuary for these two mares and they will now have a permanent home together forever in the pastures at Redwings. If you would like to send a special sponsorship donation for Ethel and Lucy please indicate with your donation that you are supporting Ethel and Lucy.

Lucy and Ethel at Redwings

We thank the Salinas Californian newspaper for publishing an article about Lucy and Ethel.

REDWINGS WEBCAM

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