ALMA, Ga. – A south Georgia community is outraged and heartbroken after a horse that was tethered to a tree for several days died Wednesday because it got tangled in the rope, according to Alma, Georgia, residents.
Just days before the horse died, a person, who wished to remain anonymous, took a video showing the animal getting tangled in the rope and nearly falling. The person also claimed that food and water was not within reach.
One of the caretakers denied that the horse had ever been neglected, saying the horse was sick and died of old age. But people who saw the horse alive disagreed, saying they're furious that nothing is being done.
"When I came out here a while ago, I almost burst into tears and, probably, before the day is over, I probably will. I just want something done," said Gail Fiveash, with the Blueberry Animal Rescue Klub.
A week ago, Fiveash said a friend sent her photos and videos of the horse, asking if she could help.
In the state of Georgia, it's illegal to have a horse tethered to anything longer than 24 hours, and there must be water within reach. But according to Fiveash, two horses on the property were tethered for at least a week.
"There’s actual videos of the horse being tied to the tree. There’s photos of him being tangled in the roping and shots of him after he was tangled and fell," Fiveash said.
On Thursday, News4Jax spoke with Travis, one of the animal caretakers on the property, who insisted the horse died of old age.
"The horse was never abused. We took care of him and all that. Even the sheriff came out and investigated, and he said he died of old age," he said.
The Bacon County Sheriff's Office was called out and the responding officer saw food and water. But people living nearby said that was put there after the horse died.
In the graphic video, which News4Jax has chosen not to show, the tether wrapped around the legs of the deceased horse can visibly be seen.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture did go out to the property and gave the caretakers 24 hours to give the horse a proper burial and get shelter built for the remaining horse and donkey. The state department said the well-being of the two animals is its number one priority now.
The person who took the photos and videos plans on handing them over to the Sheriff's Office in hopes that the footage provides proof that the law was violated.
The Department of Agriculture sent the following statement to News4Jax:
“The issue at hand regarding the horse that is deceased would be a local law enforcement issue. The Georgia Department of Agriculture is charged by law with the responsibility of overseeing the health and well-being of animals. Our priority at the time is the remaining animals at the facility and to ensure they are properly cared for as well as the proper burial of the deceased animal.”