The Lewis County Prosecutor's Office is awaiting the conclusion of a law enforcement investigation to determine whether or not to charge an Onalaska woman with animal cruelty after a horse was photographed in dire condition.
Let's think...YES.
Prosecutor Michael Golden said photographs show the owner had put a nylon harness on a foal and left it on without adjustment until growth of the animal's head forced the strap to wear through the flesh of its face all the way to the bone.
Golden said the Lewis County Sheriff's Office has provided initial reports but that the investigation is ongoing. The owner apparently had the horse put down before law enforcement arrived Wednesday, Golden said, meaning the body might eventually be exhumed. Photographs obtained by investigators could also be key in any future prosecution, he said.
Neighbors reported the animal's condition Tuesday. Three other horses in the same field appeared to be in good health.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, Golden said the owner or responsible party could face either first-degree or second-degree animal cruelty charges.
He said he's been in contact with a veterinarian, as has the sheriff's office. A decision will come after the investigation is complete, he said.
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