American Humane Association's Red Star Animal Emergency Services Rush to Help with the Rescue of 117 Neglected Horses in Arkansas

DENVER, Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A team of staff and volunteers from American Humane Association's Red Star Animal Emergency Services are working in Arkansas at the request of the Fulton County Sheriff's office to assist with the rescue of 117 neglected horses.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101108/DC97343LOGO)

On site to assist their partners from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), and in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United States, the Red Star Animal Emergency Services team is bringing one of the nation's largest animal rescue rigs to provide support for the rescue and care of these horses. This massive 16-wheel tractor-trailer has been on the scene for many of the nation's largest disasters, helping to rescue and care for stranded animals, reunite animals with their families, and distribute pet food and supplies.

While members of the ASPCA carry out the evidence collection at the site, the Red Star team will be assisting the Fulton County Sheriff's Office with the immediate care and transport of the injured horses to a temporary shelter, where they will continue to receive veterinary treatment under the custody of the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.  The horses will be quarantined for at least 30 days and are not yet available for adoption.

The emaciated and, in many cases, injured horses appear to have been held on a small lot without food and water for what appears to have been months. State officials have opened an investigation into the matter and the property's owners.

"Our Red Star Animal Emergency Services team is assisting our partners from the county sheriff's office and other animal welfare agencies as we deal with the sad outcome of animal abuse and neglect," said Debrah Schnackenberg, Vice President, Emergency Services at American Humane Association. "While the horses are in very bad condition, we're hopeful that many of them can be saved and make a full recovery. This emergency response underscores the importance of continuing to work toward a day when animal abuse and neglect is relegated to a sad chapter in our nation's history and not a reality we deal with all too often."

The Red Star Animal Emergency Services team has been on the scene with its Rescue Rig for our nation's largest disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Ike and flooding in the Midwest, as well as recent wildfires in Colorado. Additionally, the team assisted in the rescue of hundreds of animals from abuse and neglect situations in 2009 alone in Maryland, New York, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Wisconsin and North Carolina.

American Humane Association's Animal Emergency Services is available to help communities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, thanks to a nationwide team of Animal Emergency Services Volunteers. These individuals are committed to making sure animal needs are met during times of crisis.

About American Humane Association

Since 1877, the historic American Humane Association has been at the forefront of every major advancement in protecting children, pets and farm animals from abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding human-animal interaction and its role in society. As the nation's voice for the protection of children and animals, American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

SOURCE American Humane Association

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