Horse seized in Cumberland County abuse investigation euthanized for illness
One of seven horses seized from a Cumberland County horse farm after reports of abuse was euthanized for an unrelated illness, the clinic treating the horses announced Thursday.
The Foundation Equine Clinic, located in Southern Pines, posted on Facebook that Judy, an 11-year-old American quarter horse, was euthanized Wednesday.
According to the post, the horse was battling colic and displacement of the colon that could not be medically treated.
"Judy was humanely euthanized in early hours of Wednesday morning and was laid to rest at friend’s nearby farm," the post reads.
Related: How Cumberland County supported an abused foal needing $20,000 in care
Dr. Lisa Kivett, owner and operator of the clinic and a board-certified specialist in Equine Medicine, said Thursday that Judy was a "delight."
"Kindest, sweetest horse you could ever meet. Very trusting of us when we needed to do procedures," Kivett said.
The doctor said Judy showed no signs of abuse but was seized because her 3-month-old foal, Faith, had been injured.
Kivett said Judy was, "the perfect mother" and always had Faith by her side.
Because of Judy's euthanasia, Faith received a light sedative to deal with the separation and was introduced to an "emotional support horse for companionship," the clinic said in its post.
"By late morning, Faith was calmly napping in the sun in her stall. She has adjusted very well to her new independence and is eating well and showing no signs of stress," the post said.
It was the handling of Faith — captured on video by a neighbor and shared on social media — that brought to light the alleged abuse at Witt's End Quarter Horses, the Enniskillen Road farm from which Judy, another mare and five foals were seized on Aug. 21.
Austin Wayne Simpson, 24, of Hope Mills, and Kylie Lenore Parker, 25, of Fayetteville, were arrested Sept. 28 on charges of cruelty to animals and felony conspiracy, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said.
Related: Cumberland County couple's arrests related to viral video of horse being abused
On Monday, county commissioners approved adding more than $24,000 to a medical fund to support the horses' treatment. Faith suffered a severed tricep, a chipped bone in her leg, a fractured vertebra and severe pneumonia from the alleged abuse at the farm, the clinic said. The conditions of the other horses were not noted.
Checks can be made payable to the Animal Medical Fund CCAS, 4704 Corporation Drive, Fayetteville, NC, 28306.
Donations can also be made by credit card over the phone by calling 910-321-6852 or in person at Cumberland County Animal Services at the above address.
Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at jpierre@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Horse seized from Witt's End Quarter Horses in Cumberland County died
