Starving horses seized from owner

Animal control officer, Romie Calderon ties a horse named Molly into a trailer Tuesday afternoon while removing it from her home just south of Gallup. Because of the muscle loss, Molly barely supports herself on her hind legs. She drags her hoof when taking a step. [Photo by Daniel Zollinger/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

GALLUP — Animal control officials confiscated a pair of horses from a Gallup resident at the orders of a magistrate judge on Tuesday.

The horses were taken from owner Manuel Notah after Magistrate Judge John Carey ruled he did not present enough evidence to the court that he’s provided adequate care for the once starving animals.

The Independent initially reported on the horse’s condition Aug. 21. Notah was served with two citations for animal cruelty at his residence on Dusty Road after the animals were discovered in poor condition and with little food and water.

Notah told officials he suspected neighborhood children had taken some of the horses’ food from their corral.

Notah was subsequently required to take the horses to a local veterinarian for medical care and provide adequate proof of their treatment to the local livestock inspector.

But during Tuesday’s hearing, livestock officials argued the horses should be confiscated from Notah because of his inability to care for the animals.

Donna Damon, veterinary technician for the county humane society, said the horses are in better condition since they were initially discovered in late August, but the animals are still not as healthy as they could be.

“They have gained a little bit of weight,” Damon said, “ but the gray horse still has a problem with her hip.”
Notah presented seemingly healthy photos of the horses to the judge, but the prints were outdated and from May, months prior to the animals’ discovery.

Romie Calderon, an animal control officer for the humane society, said Carey ruled the horses should be taken from the residence and the order was carried out early Tuesday afternoon.

Calderon said the society has lined up homes for the horses and will seek additional medical care for the animals.

He said Carey’s ruling is a far cry from another animal cruelty case the court recently heard.

Calderon said the humane society is out some $2,000 in feed costs of a horse that was confiscated and then later returned to its owner at the court’s order. The animal cruelty case occurred in nearby Tohatchi.

Calderon said the society plans to seek civil relief for its significant loss.