A Cashmere area man who's accused of neglecting five horses in his care says he's being unfairly targeted by local authorities. Animal control officers seized the horses after the agency received an anonymous tip that the animals were being mistreated. They were located on property owned by Bob Stewart on Mission Creek Road.
The case has been turned over the the Chelan County Prosecutor and charges of animal neglect are pending in District Court. But Stewart maintains he's done nothing wrong and he alleges his civil rights have been violated.
Stewart also disputes animal control officers allegations that the horses were underfed. Humane Society Executive Director, Dawn Davies reported that all of the horses were badly malnourished and one was "so badly neglected it was not expected to survive due to organ failure due to malnutrition"
Stewart also contends that animal control officers injured one of the horses while attempting to load it into a horse trailer. He's filed a lawsuit in U-S District Court. He's also slated to appear in Chelan County District Court for a preliminary hearing on October 10th.
Meanwhile, Davies says she believes Stewart's lawsuit has no legal merit but that attorney costs associated with the case could have an impact on resources. She's asking the community to donate to the agency's Emergency Care Fund, to help defray some of the legal costs.
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