Owner of Foundered Horse Forced to Euthanize

[3wishesdun]

Story link (http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060307/NEWS/603070316/1244/last14days)

Given the recent threads about owners and their treatment of their horses with laminitis or chronic founder .... I thought this article might be relevant.
It is a news story my farrier told me about....

This woman lives about 2 miles from me..... and was forced to put down her horse by the county (founder with both coffin bones penetrating the sole). The horse supposedly has been in this condition for some time, and adequate treatment wasn't being used. The state/county called in a local vet to make the determination. There is word she plans to sue. The county is pressing animal cruelty charges. Any thoughts?

[caballus]

What was being done in the way of remedial care to the HOOVES? Do you know?

[3wishesdun]

The only specific info. I know about care is that the horse was being treated at a equine surgical care facility but after the bills got very high....and supposedly went unpaid- the owner took the horse home. As for specific modalities that were used....I do not know.

[Roy Amaral CJF]

Probably a bone infection. That would be the likely result of a protruding coffin bone and no care. :(

[mwmyersdvm]

In Virginia, the law states that an animal cannot be denied proper care for its maladies. Removing an animal from proper care to "no care" would fall under such guidelines and cruelty would be the charge. Authorities could legally insist on euthanasia - as well they should.
The law has interesting twists. A veterinarian can administer treatment to an animal needing it and euthanize it if need be without an owner's permission, BUT there can be difficulties in being paid if the owner did not authorize the procedures (speaking from experience). Likewise, just because an owner cannot afford treatment, he will not be allowed to let his animal suffer, nor should he do so if he is a kind, caring owner.