Instructions
Education and Information
Research your state and federal equine laws. Contact your local Department of Agriculture office or State Horse Council and ask for horse-related information and resources related to equine law. Horse protections differ among states. Some classify horses as domestic animals, and others consider them livestock and minimum animal cruelty statutes do not apply.
Approach the owner politely and without being confrontational and accusatory. Offer to help, providing information, constructive advice or solutions. According to Stacy Segal, Equine Protection Specialist with the Humane Society of the United States, "...lack of education and knowledge is the primary reason that horses are mistreated, abused and neglected."
Determine if the cause of the lack of food for the horses is a result of inadequate knowledge on horse care, financial problems or a case of deliberate neglect.
Do not enter the owner's property without their prior consent. It is against the law to enter private property regardless of the circumstances. You will be criminally trespassing unless accompanied by law enforcement.
Initiate contact with your local law enforcement, Humane Society, horse rescue or equine welfare organization.
Local Law Enforcement
Contact your local Police Department if the horses are within city limits. Contact your county's Sheriff's Department or Animal Control if they are outside city limits. Local law enforcement has the capability to enforce your state's animal cruelty laws.You will be given a case number at the end of the call.
Offer to provide information regarding essential horse care. The majority of law enforcement officials are not familiar with horses or how to administer proper care.
Retain the case number for your complaint. You may need to make additional contacts to ensure performance of an investigation. Providing the case number to other agencies provides proof that you have reported the incident to your local law enforcement first, which is typically a requirement in most states.
Remain open to questioning by law enforcement in case the investigation warrants additional information, seizure of the horses through the Humane Society or ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) or criminal prosecution.
Local Humane Society or Horse Rescues
Navigate to the ASPCA website.
Locate the title "Fight Animal Cruelty" on the far left of the orange menu bar at the top of the page.
Choose "Report Animal Cruelty" from the drop-down menu.
Scroll down the page to the heading "Act Now-Report Animal Cruelty!" and click on "ASPCA's Searchable Database."
Enter your city and state or zip code in the designated box on the "Find a Shelter" page, choose an appropriate "Radius" for your area and click the "Go" icon.
Choose one of your local Humane Society offices or horse rescues from the Results page and contact them, providing the necessary information.
Horse Welfare Organizations
Launch the Horse Welfare Organizations website.
Click on "Find a Rescue" on the far left of the bar menu at the top of the page.
Select your state from the drop-down menu on the "Find a Rescue" page.
Choose one of the horse welfare organizations in your state and contact it, providing the information required for its assistance.
International Generic Horse Association &Horse Aid (IGHA)
Navigate to the IGHA website. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select "HorseAid Welfare/Abuse Info" located under the title "The World's Largest All-Breeds Equine Registry &Rescue/Welfare Organization."
Read the page titled "When is it Horse Abuse?"
Click on the "Email Us!" icon above the title "YOU have the voice...learn to use it!"
Send your email, providing the details regarding the horses, their location, your contact information and all previous attempts to report the case to your local authorities.
How to Report Someone for Not Feeding Horses
Malnutrition or starvation is considered animal abuse and neglect. An owner who does not feed his horses is in violation of state animal cruelty laws. As a concerned citizen or as a horse industry professional, it is your responsibility to uphold standards, ethics and equine welfare regulations by reporting cases of mistreatment and educating others.