Local man is charged with animal cruelty

Live stock inspector, Mark Waters confronts Manuel Notah on allegations of animal cruelty. Notah was later cited with the charges after his horses were found in very poor condition. One had a large sore and drastic bone structure showing under its skin. [Photo by Daniel Zollinger/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

Molly stands by an empty feeder along Dust Road in Gallup. Animal control officers cited the owner, Manuel Notah, with animal cruelty. The horse had little water and no food Monday. [Photo by Daniel Zollinger/Independent]

GALLUP — County Livestock Inspector Mark Waters discovered a “shocking” scene when he investigated a report of animal cruelty last week.

Seven-year-old Molly, a gray filly, was without adequate food and water while cordoned in a pen in nearly 90-degree heat, according to Animal Control Officer Romie Calderon and Waters.

Her hip and rib bones were protruding from her skin and a sore, festering from a one-time infection, was also visible on her emaciated frame.

A concerned neighbor reported the matter to the livestock inspector who decided to take action.

Waters, along with county animal control officers and a veterinarian technician traveled to the horse’s location at Dusty Road on Monday to serve owner Manual Notah with a citation for animal cruelty.

Notah declined a request for comment from The Independent, but did speak with Waters about the allegations in a reporter’s presence.

“I don’t know what happened,” Notah said of the horse’s condition.

He explained to Waters that he feeds Molly and her companion twice a day and suspects neighborhood children may have stolen the stacks of hay from the horse feeder. He said the horse had been dewormed.

Waters said Molly was in poor condition when he arrived at the corral on Wednesday.

“I was a little shocked at the way the smaller horse looked,” Waters told Notah. “ ... That’s something we have to address.”

Animal Control Officer Anderson Brown presented Notah with a citation to appear in Magistrate Court, while Waters explained he was going to recommend a 30-day watch of Molly’s condition.

Under the watch, Notah will be required to seek veterinarian attention for Molly and her companion, along with proof of their treatment.

“We’re going to give you every chance to make this better,” Waters said to Notah.

Notah said he plans to take the horses to Red Rock Animal Clinic on Wednesday afternoon for treatment.

Donna Damon, a veterinary technician for the county humane society, said Molly can’t be fed any rich food until her condition improves to prevent colic, a condition that causes the stomach to knot. To reduce the risk of complications, Damon recommends Molly be fed “light food” at a gradual pace.

Damon wasn’t immediately able to feed or treat the animal.

“Until we get the owner’s permission or the horse is confiscated, we can’t really do anything,” she said.

Immediately after he was cited, Notah began to feed the animals hay he pulled from a nearby storage shed.

Calderon said this is the first case involving a horse that animal control employees have investigated in recent months.

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