U.S.E.R.L. Richmond Region

February 24, 2008 12:16 am

Sometimes it's difficult to find positive things in the world of animal welfare, but then something happens that makes the effort worthwhile ["Neglected horses land Caroline man in jail," Feb. 9].

Take Caroline County. Horses: not enough food, not enough water, not enough anything. Take good, hard-working animal-control officers, responding to a good citizen's lead that there were horses in trouble.

The horses needed help for sure. The vets came and looked. The U.S. Equine Rescue League people came and looked. There was a trial on Feb. 8. And now Michael Wilkerson, the man charged, has been convicted.

Three animal-control officers from Caroline appeared at the trial. The vets came and spoke at length, providing details about each horse.

Susan White, cruelty investigator of the U.S. Equine Rescue League, spoke articulately about the case and about the good that has already happened to the horses since USERL took custody. Her team was there with pictures of the hunger. The reporter captured some detail. The judge listened and asked some questions.

Newly elected Commonwealth Attorney Tony Spencer quipped before the trial started that he had more good witnesses for this trial than he did on a particular murder trial. He was clearly proud. All of Caroline County should be proud.

A group of people made change for the horses, and the defendant was found guilty. Never mind that he is appealing. He will not win. Caroline County has learned to say "enough's enough" and mean it.

Accolades all around. That was a good day.

Five horses were seized in Caroline County Tuesday, and their owner has been charged with animal cruelty.

Michael Wilkerson of Ruther Glen will be arraigned next week on five counts of animal cruelty, said Animal Control Officer J.C. Heffler.  She said the office investigated after an anonymous tip to check on the animals and the horses were found “in poor body condition” and were emaciated.  While lack of food is thought to be a cause of the horses’ condition, Heffler said more tests would need to be done by a vet before they could determine the condition of each horse.

The United States Equine Rescue League is assisting the animal control office by boarding and caring for the horses, Heffler said.  Susan White, an investigator for the league, said in a release that the horses range in age from 1 year to 32 years.  She said three of the horses are “severely emaciated” and it is expected to take six to 12 months for all of the horses to regain their health.

Heffler said while the horses are currently being cared for by the league, their permanent ownership is pending Wilkerson’s trial.

Wilkerson has previous convictions of allowing a horse to run at large and failure to keep livestock fenced, according to court records.