Big animals
often cause
big problems

They aren’t just big poodles.

Loose horses and cattle are increasingly becoming a problem in Columbus county, as are neglected and abused animals. Columbus County Animal Control, already the runt of the litter when it comes to the budgetary food bowl, lacks even the most basic equipment for dealing with stray livestock, or large animals that are removed from their owners.

Unfortunately, too many people approach horse ownership with too little information. With increasing feed and hay costs, as well as spiraling fuel prices, abandoned and even feral horses have been reported in several areas of the county.
Since most farmers see cattle as an investment, most responsible cattlemen will take some steps to care for their cows, or at least sell them at a loss at market.

A few have always tried to make do with inadequate fencing, resulting in cows on roadways and all too often, cattle-auto collisions.

Such wrecks never have a good outcome, and can result in civil penalties on top of injury or death for the driver – not to mention the effect a collision with a vehicle has on the cow.

Horses, on the other hand, are a luxury that many people discover they can’t afford. Recent abuse and neglect cases have kept Animal Control and Cruelty Investigators hopping. Privately, officials say there are far more cases than ever make it to the investigation stage.

When a cat or dog is removed from an unhealthy environment, it goes to the county Animal Shelter.

For cows and horses, there is no shelter, save the farms of people associated with the county’s volunteer investigator, Lisa Hartman.

When a horse or cow needs to be picked up – whether it’s a stray, a runaway, or a neglect case – Columbus Animal Control calls Hartman, who drives more than an hour from Pender County to pick up the animal. She gets no compensation for the drive or boarding the animal.

Columbus County, with its roots deep in agriculture, should be able to access halters, leads, and a horse trailer for those times when livestock must be removed from the owner’s property, or for unclaimed animals.

When Animal control responded to a loose horse complaint recently, all the officer could do was stand by and watch – he had no way to catch the horses in question, and no place to put them if he did catch one or more of them.

The county should support Animal Control Director Rossie Hayes in his long-shelved plan to build a simple, secure corral and temporary shed at the animal shelter. At the very least, an arrangement could be made with one of the many responsible horse owners in the county to house an unwanted or strayed animal.

Horse ownership has grown in recent years, and with the current economic times, reports of horse abandonment and neglect have increased nationwide. With Columbus County’s large equine population, the problem is not going to get better – it’s going to get worse.

The ultimate responsibility, of course, lies with the horse owner.

As with any animal, medical care, food, water and shelter are required, but too many people seem to think horses are nothing but large dogs.

We sincerely hope, as budget time approaches, the county commissioners will at least give this problem a close look. Through the efforts of Hayes and the Columbus Humane Society, the county has set an example in dealing with unwanted dogs and cats.

We hope Hayes, Hartman, and horse-lovers can give the county a similar reputation when dealing with large animals.