I meant to post yesterday, but it was a long day, I have a nasty sinus infection, etc. Big thing slowing me down this week though is a herd of goats. For those who don't know, I live on the family farm, and we had up until recently 4 goats. Then 3 sets of twins were born during the snow storms, now we're up to 10. Lots of problems with that many babies and mothers in a small space, so it's eating a lot of time.

    So while I'm talking about animals, I have to mention a story I did Friday, about an accused animal neglector. This person lives in Springfield, but rents property near Dawson where there is a trailer that no one lives in, with no electricity, but multiple dogs locked inside, and a pony that apparently is rarely fed and has no shelter even in this weather. In November, concerned neighbors called us about this person, said a horse died there of starvation. A photographer went there to get video, got shots of the dead horse, and a tree that had been stripped of bark as high as a horse can reach. Now a horse needs to be pretty hungry to eat the bark off the trees. She claims the horse was sick when she got it. Maybe that's true, but again, a horse has to be really hungry to eat bark, so it clearly wasn't getting enough food.

    Neighbors say they are now feeding the pony, because the owners only show up once a week, and there is no water for it. These same owners have tried to lock the neighbors out from feeding the pony, and now have apparently contacted the sheriff and are wanting to press trespassing charges. Again, they want to prosecute someone for feeding their neglected animal. We contacted Dept of Ag and State's Attorney Milhiser, who says 3 counts of a misdemeanor have been filed against the woman for failing to meet owner's duties, over the dead horse. She calls the station Friday night, saying she didn't get her side out, despite me quoting her in the story. Then she blatantly lies to the reporter who went to interview her, claiming the trailer has had electricity and heat( I was there Friday, there was no meter for electricity), the pony is well taken care of, etc. This whole thing just disgusts me.

    After my story ran, relatives of the woman's boyfriend called the station to tell us they thought he should be charged as well, because he is co-owner of the animals. This woman then goes on a rant on her facebook page talking about how she is an animal lover. Forget the horse and pony, remember this is a woman that calls herself an animal lover and has multiple dogs locked in trailer with no heat or electricity, a trailer no human lives in. Seriously