131 animals were removed from the property of horse breeder Sobel's ranch.  7 horses were found dead on the property.

Zobel's 180-acre ranch is a horse-selling operation and requires a Missouri livestock dealer license.  A search of department records showed Zobel does not have such a license.

Zobel has been charged with 9 counts of misdemeanor animal abuse - one charge for each of nine horses that have died.  More charges are likely to be filed against 49 year old Zobel.  State law prevents Zobel from being charged with felony animal abuse because he had to have a prior conviction of animal abuse or the animals had to be tortured or mutilated.

Zobel posted a $2,500 bond at the Green County Judicial Center.  If convicted Zobel could face jail time ranging from 1 day to 1 year on each charge.  He also could be fined up to $1,000 on each charge.

It took the Humane Society of Missouri 13.5 hours and 16 trailers to haul the horses to rescue.

In April, 2005 the charges were upgraded to 27 counts of animal abuse and animal neglect and 2 counts of failure to dispose of an animal carcass in a timely fashion.  11 horses have died or have been euthanized since the seizure.

Zobel can pay a $105,000 bond and regain his animals after a judge ruled the horses were neglected but has failed to pay the bond.  The Humane Society has spent an estimated $201,000 caring for the horses so far.

Greene County Circuit Judge Don Burrell ruled that the humane society could decide what to do with the horses after Zobel failed to pay the bond for his animals.  Zobel's attorney Dan Ingram of Kansas City, appealed that ruling and in May 2005, the Missouri Supreme Court (SC86813) had agreed to decide whether the Humane Society can dispose of horses confiscated from Zobel's ranch stating concerns of private property rights.

On July 12, 2005 the Supreme Court denied Zobel's attempt to stop the Humane Society from getting rid of his horses, allowing Green County Circuit Judge Don Burrell's ruling to take effect.  The order doesn't take effect for 15 days, giving Zobel an opportunity to file an appeal with another court, possibly at the federal level.

In August 2005, Zobel sued the Green County Sheriff and investigators for the way they confiscated his horses.  The lawsuit sought a restraining order to stop the adoption of the horses.

On November 29th Zobel plead guilty to 4 misdemeanor counts of animal abuse and 1 county of failing to dispose of a horse carcass.  Under the plea bargain, he won't have to serve any jail time unless he fails to meet the conditions of the deal.  Zobel was give 5 1year jail terms but Associate Circuit Judge Max Bacon suspended the sentences and put Zobel on 2 years' unsupervised probation.  Under the deal, Zobel agreed to drop any ownership claims to the horses.  He also will not be able to own or possess any animal and cannot engage in animal breeding.

The confiscated horses have been nurtured back to health and many are now in need of homes.

A horse named Harry when confiscated needed emergency care to stay alive.  He was really thin and didn't have enough muscle mass left to get up by himself.  He was able to get his front legs up, but not his back legs.  Harry spent 2 weeks at Mrad's veterinary clinic getting IV fluids and antibiotics, a thorough de-worming and a steady supply of nutritious food.  Harry has since put on several hundred pounds of weight.  His once hollow hips and protruding ribs are firm and filled now.  Harry is a bright-eyed 3-year-old quarter horse now ready for adopting.

A grey-speckled mare named Hawaii suffered from "coon foot" - an abnormal lengthening of the hoof from lack of care.  She had really bad abscesses on 3 of her feet.  Hawaii's hooves were soaked repeatedly in a cleansing solution and "hospital plates" were attached to the bottom of her hooves to protect them and keep medicine in contact with them.  The infection was so bad at one point that part of the outer layer of the hooves had to be cut away to eliminate the source of the infection.  Hawaii has put on nearly 500 pounds with regular feedings.

In August 2006 it was reported that Zobel avoided losing his ranch in a delinquent tax sale.  Zobel owed $2,297.23 in back taxes, fees and interest on one parcel and $331.78 on the other.

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