Additional Charges Filed in Horse Neglect Case

After a continued investigation, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has filed additional charges of animal neglect with the District Attorney’s Office in the case of two Toledo horse owners. A veterinary exam of the horses involved found that all of the animals but three ponies, owned by Collene and Jesstine Welke, were underweight and suffered from lack of minimum care to maintain normal health. A total of 12 horses were involved in the case. The Welkes were originally cited March 24 on five counts of animal neglect, and were then released. The investigation began March 19, when the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a horse in distress in the 1100 block of Sturdevant Road. The caller reported a horse stuck in the mud unable to free itself. When the deputy arrived the horse was completely submerged and drowned before resources could be located to free it. Four other horses in the same pasture appeared to be in poor condition and were removed at that time to another Toledo-area citizen. Hundreds of dollars in donations and supplies to help care for the horses has been turned in at Toledo Feed and Seed, and also at Feed Corral in Newport. Donations may still be made at either location.