Together with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and the Van Zandt County Constables Office, investigators found dozens of deceased horses as well as 70 horses, nine donkeys and six pigs. All of them had minimal to no access to food or water. More than half the horses, the donkeys and the longhorn were roaming on a large, fenced pasture on the property. These animals had no access to food and little to no access to water. Other horses were confined to two smaller pastures on the property with no access to food and minimal water. The horses were so desperate for nourishment that they were eating the bark off of trees, leaving some completely bare of bark.

The horses were not in good shape when they were first rescued.

The surviving animals had numerous health issues, including malnourishment, open sores, nasal discharge, diarrhea, hair loss, overgrown and cracked hooves, fly bites and other injuries.

The horses, donkeys and pigs were happy to get the care and attention they needed at the SPCA of Texas.

The SPCA of Texas received custody of the 86 surviving animals later that month. Thanks to the combined efforts of our Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, the Van Zandt County Constables Office, staff, volunteers and generous donors, these animals are now healthy and happy.

Since then, we have been working hard to find homes for all of these animals. We’re so proud to announce that, finally, we found a home for the last horse of the group – Forte!

Forte with his new family!

To support the SPCA of Texas’ lifesaving efforts in North Texas, please consider making a donation at spca.org/donate.