Case Studies with Happy Endings

The following case studies exemplify two very different stories where Animal Control shined. Both situations are victories for the agencies and the horses.

In a case that was highly publicized in Multnomah County, Animal Services seized three horses from Corbett resident, Candis Fulmer on December 12, 2006.

Neighbors saw six horses in various stages of emaciation standing in the drenching cold rain on the evening of December 11th. They heroically tried to save a downed foal creating a stretcher that was attached to an all-terrain vehicle. They drove the animal to one of their farms, warmed it with blankets and pillows and called the vet. Despite all their efforts the filly died in the veterinarian’s arms late into the night. The reason was starvation. The next morning the neighbors called Animal Control.

Officer Luckey was astounded by the horses’ condition when she arrived on the scene. They had rainrot scabs and two were skin and bones. “They were scabbed from head to toe,” Luckey stated. Luckey said one horse, Dixie, was so weak “you could almost push her over.” Lucky recalled that the vet on scene said the horse should have been dead and no one expected Dixie to make it through the night.

Three of the horses were given to Fulmer’s father who had a farm in Seaside, Oregon. Luckey said he had a nice facility and the horses were well-cared for there. The remaining two horses, Dixie and Tarzan were forfeited to Animal Control and were rehabilitated. In six months they made a remarkable recovery gaining hundreds of pounds. In June both animals were put up for adoption.

Fulmer’s case went to state prosecution and she pleaded guilty on June 8 to four counts of animal neglect and was sentenced to three years bench probation, 100 hours of community service, prohibited from owning livestock for three years and had to consent to spot checks wherever she resides.

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A Clark County case had a very different outcome. The horses in this scenario were rehabilitated by the owner herself.

Apparently a woman inherited four horses from her father who passed away. “She had no idea what to do,” said Officer Martin. “She had a bale of mouldy straw. The horses started dying and going down.” Clark County Animal Control got involved and called a vet out to the property. Both the vet and animal control sat down with the owner to discuss what the horses needed. Animal Control also hooked the owner up with the Clark County Executive Horse Council (whose mission it is to join together individuals interested in horses, whether for business or pleasure, and to promote and encourage horse activities in Clark County).

After six months of frequent visits and a lot of education Martin said, “Now she takes absolutely wonderful care of her horses.” She agreed to allow Animal Control use these before and after pictures of her horses for educational purposes. “She is a real asset to the horse community and her horses are very well cared for now,” said Martin.

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