DETROIT (WJBK) -- In the last five week, 14 horses have been rescued in the City of Detroit. That includes two horses, one that was visibly underweight, that were hauled away from a yard on Friday.
"The horses are being confiscated as contraband," said Mark Ramos from Detroit Animal Control. "The owner is pretty upset that we're taking his horses."
"We have a cruelty hotline here and when people see things that they're concerned about they call us, and they've called about all these animals in need," said Deborah McDonald, an animal cruelty inspector with the Michigan Humane Society.
Last month, two horses were taken from a small residential backyard. Then this week, the Michigan Humane Society got a tip that ten horses were stashed in an old warehouse on the city's west side, most of them dangerously sick.
Rescuing all these horses is a big financial undertaking. Most of them have to be nursed back to health, which costs a lot of money. Picture feeding 14 hungry teenage boys. Now multiply that by about a thousand.
"We've never been in a situation like this before. Not our norm," McDonald said. "At this point, we need donations. These horses are very expensive to feed and we have 14 of them. Because they're underweight, they are going to eat more than they would normally. They have a lot of catching up to do."
And in case you didn't know, Ramos said, "Any livestock, farm animals are illegal in the City of Detroit -- horses, cattle, goats, anything like that is illegal and can be removed right on the spot."
If you would like to donate to the Michigan Humane Society, call 1-866-MHUMANE or visit www.michiganhumane.org.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 4:33 PM EDT2013-03-12 20:33:13 GMT
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:54:52 GMT
There's a special place in hell for people who steal from churches, and you can bet its not air conditioned, but it was the A/C unit that was targeted at Christian Road Ministries on Detroit's west side.
There's a special place in hell for people who steal from churches, and you can bet its not air conditioned, but it was the A/C unit that was targeted at Christian Road Ministries on Detroit's west side.
Wednesday, June 5 2013 7:50 PM EDT2013-06-05 23:50:32 GMT
After a fatal crash, 26-year-old Leo Evans is facing charges that could put him in prison for years. He is accused of street racing, a dangerous game that can have deadly consequences.
After a fatal crash, 26-year-old Leo Evans is facing charges that could put him in prison for years. He is accused of street racing, a dangerous game that can have deadly consequences.
Wednesday, June 5 2013 7:29 PM EDT2013-06-05 23:29:03 GMT
There was a highway crash Tuesday near French Road in Detroit. State police were called to the scene, but when they got there, the were no victims. All they found was blood and shell casings scattered along I-94.
There was a highway crash Tuesday near French Road in Detroit. State police were called to the scene, but when they got there, the were no victims. All they found was blood and shell casings scattered along I-94.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
