Hunger isn't normally something that can be seen, but when bones protrude it cannot be ignored.

The Humane Society of the United States participated in what officials are calling one of the largest animal seizes in the state of West Virginia, taking 40 to 50 horses from a man in Wayne County.

Gary Belcher is the owner of the horses, he says he did nothing wrong.  "They all eat good and I haven't had any problems with anything," Belcher said.  Belcher said the horses were skinny when he got them. "Trying to fatten them up," Belcher said. "They've come a long way."

  (Photo's courtesy of the HSUS)

Neighbors said they do not believe that is the case. Joe Stanley lives nearby, he said he has been making calls on the state Belcher's animals for ten years.  "I've seen horses come in here as pretty as a picture and leave as skeletons," Kenneth Leslie said. "I've watched backhoe after backhoe of them being buried."

Leslie said the horses were sometimes fed slices of bread and very rarely given water.

Adam Parascandola, Director of Animal Cruelty Issues, says he was made aware of the problem eight months ago and was finally able to coordinate with local law enforcement to solve the problem. Twenty-seven Humane Society employees took part in the animal seize.

Parascandola said it will be a four to six week process to bring the horses, which are malnourished and suffering various medical problems, back to health -- then they will find a good home for them.

The Humane Society said last month, nearly 50 dogs suffering from the same issues as the horses were taken from Belcher.

Update 6/1/10:  A Prichard man has been charged with one count of animal cruelty over 51 emaciated horses, mules and donkeys found on his farm, along with 42 neglected puppies and dogs.

Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy Adam Baumgartner says more charges are likely.

Baumgartner says his department technically seized the horses about a month ago, but they had to stay put until the Humane Society could find a place to care for them.

Baumgartner checked periodically to ensure they had food and water.

Update 6/2/10:  Food, water and care -- that’s what dozens of starving Wayne County horses, donkeys and mules are now enjoying after a Humane Society seizure them.

Sheriff’s deputies say the owner will likely face more cruelty charges.

The animals were removed from Gary Belcher's Wayne County farm. They’re slowly recovering at the Mason County Fairgrounds where the TLC highlights include hay, oats, water and simple, gentle kindness.

U.S. Humane Society rescuers say some of the 49 horses, donkeys and mules seized were very near death.

Rescuers say the pasture was nothing but dirt. They had no access to any water or food. There was no evidence of any normal production of life.

Rescuers say when the animals are healthy enough, and the litigation process gives the Humane Society transport rights, adoption will work through local organizations.

Wayne County Sheriff's deputies say owner and horse trader Belcher likely will face at least two more animal cruelty charges. If he’s convicted of three, the law says he can not own livestock.

Update 6/8/10:  Belcher plead guilty to three charges of animal cruelty in Wayne County Magistrate Court.

As part of the plea, Belcher agreed to give up all rights to those animals.   He was also fined $300 on each count, and ordered to not own any type of animal for five years.

Update 6/9/10:  The Humane Society of the United States is pleased to announce that custody of all 49 equines rescued from a Wayne County farm has been granted to The HSUS.  The HSUS worked with the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office and the Cabell-Wayne Animal Shelter to rescue these dogs, horses, donkeys and mules from Belcher's Prichard property after receiving complaints concerning the poor health of the animals.

Belcher is barred from owning any animal or having any animal on his property for five years and must pay a $900 fine for his violations. If Belcher violates this stipulation, he will face a fine not exceeding $2,000 and forfeiture of the animal.

When rescuers arrived on the Prichard property earlier in the month, they found a mix of gaited horses, former racehorses, ponies and quarter horse types, as well as mules and donkeys. Many of the animals were extremely emaciated and suffering from a variety of medical ailments including overgrown, infected hooves, parasite infestation and untreated wounds.

In the weeks since the rescue The HSUS and United Animal Nations have been caring for the horses around-the-clock. Despite their poor condition, most of the horses are thriving under proper care. Once the horses gain strength they will be placed with equine rescue groups throughout the region and put up for adoption.

Update 6/25/10:  After weeks of intense trauma care, the local adoptions are now underway.

John Cundiff and his family of Point Pleasant say when they went to a adopt new family members Truman, Jet, and Princess, they didn't pick the horses -- the horses picked them.

The recovering trio was among 21 formerly starving horses -- now with new adoptive homes. The Simone family of Point Pleasant offered the Cundiff's a barn and decent pasture on their Old Town farmland.

John Cundiff is slowly feeding the horses a special nutritious blend of food. He says coming from a barren dry dirt pasture, some of the animals didn't know how to eat from a feeding bowl. And, he says if they took off the weight slowly, you have to put it back on slowly; otherwise they'll get sick.

Those horses are the lucky ones. Early on, the rescuers hoped all the animals would survive, even though some were in bad shape. Sadly, three horses had to be humanely euthanized for health reasons.

(Photo courtesy of Laura Lang/HSUS - Niya was pregnant when she was rescued, seen here with her new foal)

Twenty-two of the rescued donkeys mules and horses soon will be transported from the Mason County Fairgrounds to a special treatment farm in Maryland before they can be adopted.

(Photo's of recovering horses and donkey courtesy of Diane Miller/HSUS)

Three of the horses with serious health and temperament issues will be taken to the Humane Society's Black Beauty Ranch in Texas where they will live out their lives.

Update 10/27/10:  The Humane Society issued its press release honoring assistant prosecutor Gary Michels. He received the award Oct. 22 at the Humane Society's fourth annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C for his dedication to this case.

Many of the animals have been placed with new owners, although some are still waiting to find a home from Belchers' 1.85-acre piece of land near Gragston Creek in Prichard.

"It is because of Gary Michels' involvement in the case that a decade of animal suffering on this property came to an end," Adam Parascandola, the society's director of animal cruelty issues, said in a prepared release.

(Photo of Adam Parascandola and Wayne Pacelle honoring Gary Michels - courtesy of Lauren Pond/HSUS)

Parascandola stated that 29 of the horses, mules and donkeys were placed with owners in West Virginia and surrounding states. The remaining 20 were taken to a boarding facility in Maryland. Parascandola said all except five of those have been placed in other facilities, including two horses and a mule that were taken to an animal sanctuary in Texas.

The seized dogs were taken care of by the Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Animal Control Shelter. Its director, Anita Asbury, reported 5 of the dogs remain at the animal shelter waiting for a new home. She said 8 of the dogs died of parvo, but she said the others were placed with new owners. She said none of the animals were euthanized due to space concerns.

Update 4/29/11:   One year later Belcher is in trouble again.

According to Wayne County Prosecutor Tom Plymale, Belcher was charged with two misdemeanors after seven dogs were taken from his home. Belcher was charged with fourth-offense cruelty to animals and violating an order that he was not to have dogs on his property for five years.

Anita Asbury at the Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Animal Shelter stated the dogs were underweight, and many of them had skin conditions. One seemed to have a large tumor on its neck.

The dogs have been taken to the vet and were checked out.

Belcher states the dogs did not belong to him.

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