TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)--A dozen horses were taken from a property in Leon County in an animal neglect case.
The case is under a joint investigation by animal control and the Leon County Sheriff's Office.
That happened Friday, but about a week prior to that, Triple R Horse Rescue, says the owner agreed to surrender some other horses from his property on Moccasin Gap Road.
Two horses that were surrendered are now in the care of foster parents, according to Triple R.
The organization says it will be a long road to recovery.
"He had no life in his eyes," said Beth White, a member of Triple R. "It's very shocking to see a horse in this condition. It's was what I consider a step away from death."
It's a pitiful sight for Triple R Horse Rescue member Beth White, who says she picked up the horse, named Shadow, from a home on Moccasin Gap Road.
She says the owner surrendered Shadow and two others but when they got there one of the horses had already passed away.
Shadow now is in the care of a foster parent. These women say there is a lot of ways to tell if a horse is unhealthy.
Twelve other horses were taken from the same property, according to Leon County deputies.
We stopped by Edward Moragne's home, the man who investigators say the horses were taken from. Moragne is listed on the Florida A & M University's campus directory as an adjunct instructor in the division of agricultural science.
He didn't appear to be home. We were hoping to talk to him about the situation. We did, however, talk to a neighbor of his.
His neighbor E.G. Jones says the horses she saw didn't appear to be neglected or malnourished.
"I've always seen him haul hay in," said Jones. "He works with them. He's always been out there with them."
Back at Cathy Stauffer's farm, Shadow is recovering.
At this time we don't know what charges if any will be filed against the owner. Meanwhile, the interim animal control director Chad Abrams says the 12 horses taken away from the owner are under veterinary care.
