Abandoning pets is not the answer
by Pets
Lake County Animal Control officers say this two-year-old horse was left without food and water for six days, after first being found injured in a pasture.
Over the past month, we have reported on a llama left to starve to death near Forestville, and daily cats and dogs are picked up as stray (likely dumped) in various parts of the county and the most recent horror comes out of Lake County. An already ill horse was left in a pasture for three days then, in a move designed to hide it from the neighbors, one supposes, dragged into a stall where she languished for another six days.
An animal control officer in Lake County found the horse barely alive after it was in the stall without food or access to water. The horse is a two year quarter-horse mix now under the watchful eye of Betsy Bueno of Lost Hearts and Souls Horse Rescue in Santa Rosa. This is the same lady who is caring for that llama abandoned near Forestville.
Initially the plan was to euthanize the horse, now named Hope, but something made her rescuers think twice. Instead she is being nursed back to health. I use that term loosely because her neglect was so severe that she is on constant pain medication so her feet can be wrapped.
We know these are hard times and money is tight, but really folks, do not turn your backs on the most vulnerable of our society. If you cannot care for your animal, it is NOT a death sentence to surrender to your local humane society or animal shelter. What is an almost certain death sentence is dropping Muffy on a country road where if the cars don’t kill her, then the local coyotes, foxes or raccoons will.
Bueno says the biggest mistake people do is wait too long to get help.
As for Hope the horse, the Lake County District Attorney’s office is investigating the owner for possible felony animal cruelty and neglect.
Sue McGuire 
I would just like to give my condolensces to that poor-helpless horse. I was the “parent” of 2 wonderful loving cats, until they were takin from me by the cars in santa rosa. I would do anything, (almost) to bring my precious soul mates back into my life. I will eventually get a new pet, but it saddens me that this society can do that to an animal we promised to take care of.
by amanda
It is a misdemeanor under 597s of the California Penal Code to willfully abandon an animal. And I’m all for a petition to urge the D.A’s office to seek felony cruelty against Hope’s owner. Who is with me on that?
by growupinjail
As an animal lover, it destroys me and tears my heart apart to see the abuse and neglect that people impose on these wonderful creatures of God. I do not know who to contact, I will try the humane society about some poor little ponies that are in a small area on Petaluma Hill rd. at Two Rock where spring hill rd is. When we went to Peter’s pumpkin patch for our halloween pumpkins, we noticed these ponies who are unkept and their hooves are so long that they are barely able to walk. If we had a place to bring them we would offer to take care of them. All we can do is adopt small animals (which we have several times) and notify agencies of suspected abuse. Thank you for taking care of these beautiful creatures and if you have the time, please go check these poor ponies out. Thank you for taking care of Hope and the llama. God Bless You.
by Donna Thomas
Definitely that kind of horrific abuse should be a felony and they should serve time. Regarding the ponies contact the humane Society and the woman (Betsy Bueno) of Lost Hearts and Souls Horse Rescue in Santa Rosa. Something tells me she will know who to contact. I commend her for her compassion and action.
By the way I understand she really needs donations to care for the horse and other animals she’s taken in. WHat a great gift to teach your children, donate money in their name, in leiu of yet another toy, for Christmas. A wonderful lesson and many children I know would love to be a part of helping an injured animal.
by Linda
unfortunately, as with horse abuse, this has come in the wake of reduced auction yards and changed slaughter house laws. people have no where to take their unwanted horses, so they just dump them.
by KP