Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Florida

Our neighbor, a crazy old lady is starving her horses. We had one of them while she was weaning her baby and we had a vet come and she said the horse needed to gain at least 150 pounds. We kept the horse for 6 weeks and she started to gain weight. We fed her excellent grain and good hay and plenty of it. Then the woman came and took her back. She said she does not want fat horses. This woman lives with her son and daughter in law in a small apartment on the property We have spoken to them and they say they have tried to get her to give the animals up because she is too frail and confused to care for them. She does not give them water, grain or hay and they are stuck in a very small dirt corral.

We want the horses but she wont let us have them even to board for her for free, with her it is a control issue. Her family says they have tried to reason with her to no avail. Fact is, she has a 16 hand gelding that is skin and bones, and the mare who was doing great with us but is now back with her and again, starving and the mares baby who is 5 months old and losing weight.

My question is, can we take her to civil court to get the horses from her? We called animal services this morning and made a report. Animal services is where you call this kind of cruelty in, not the police. We know that these horses are hers, all we want to do is make sure the horses DO NOT SUFFER

Thanks in advance for any answers


Asked on 9/18/09, 10:54 am

3 Answers from Attorneys
David Slater David P. Slater, Esq.

No. Take photos and go to police, local animal shelter, newspapers. Good luck.

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Answered on 9/18/09, 10:58 am
Philip Duvalsaint Philip A. Duvalsaint, PLLC

You might consider talking to her family (if you are close) about making better arrangements to care for her and the horses. If she is as bad as she appears to be, she may need to be evaluated or Baker acted.

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Answered on 9/18/09, 12:30 pm
Sarah Grosse Sarah Grosse, Esquire

You certainly cannot stand-by and let horses be abused! Call the police again. Call animal control again. Be LOUD! If she is crazy, as Mr. Duvalsaint suggests, have her removed to a mental facility. Channel 10 News might also be interested.

I would be extremely LOUD and would not let those horses be neglected even one more day.

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Answered on 9/18/09, 7:15 pm


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