Thanks to the cooperation of the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NHSPCA) and an equine veterinarian, an injured horse name Bubba is finally in safe hands and on the mend.

In early November, Kingston police received a report from a homeowner at 100 New Boston Road that a tenant who rented a room at her residence had left a 10-year-old Percheron horse named Bubba "tied off to a post with a rope and left there with no shelter."

It was reported that the horse had become "entangled in the rope," thus limiting his movement.

On Nov. 6, Officer John Ventura informed the renter, Joseph Sholomith, 50, that he had "until the end of the week" to find adequate shelter for the horse. At the time, Sholomith was also informed of New Hampshire laws for the proper keeping of horses.

By Nov. 10, the horse "had become lame and had two severe lacerations on the hind feet above the hoof," authorities said, noting that "the wound appeared to have been from the rope Bubba was tied to earlier in the week."

According to police "the wounds were severe in nature and did not allow the horse to put pressure on the right hind leg." Police Chief Donald Briggs Jr. said the horse was in "obvious discomfort" and noted that the "foot was cut all the way to the tendon."

SPCA's cruelty investigator, Steven Sprowl, was notified and advised that the "horse needed to be put into protective custody," Briggs said.

Bubba was seized and brought for treatment at TNT Equine Veterinary Clinic in Dover where he is under the care of veterinarian Staci Kehir.

"What I can comment on is we did assist the police department in removing a horse from a residence," Sprowl said, noting that the horse is "still there for medical issues and is still being treated by the vet and staff at the SPCA."

Authorities have charged Sholomith with three counts of animal cruelty, including failure to provide necessary shelter, suffering from the wounds, and failure to provide veterinary services to an animal.

"This was a horrific situation," Briggs said. "This animal was suffering severely and needed immediate medical care from a veterinarian."

Briggs praised Ventura who "was able to put this case together in a timely manner."

Sprowl said anyone with information on possible animal-abuse cases can call their area police department or the SPCA, located in Stratham, directly.

"It doesn't matter," Sprowl said, "as long as they call somebody and don't allow the ...; (animal) ...; to suffer."

To contact the SPCA call 603-772-2921 or Kingston Police at 603-642-5742.

Reference:

Seacoast Online