Horses are disappearing from pastures in the Spencer area and some have been found in the Meeker Colorado area. Law enforcement officers say there’s reason to believe they’re being stolen, sold and slaughtered.
A reason to microchip all horses
Horses are disappearing from pastures in the Spencer area and some have been found in the Meeker Colorado area and officers had no idea what was happening until a horse owner turned detective.
More than half a dozen reports have been filed with the Spencer Police Department.
Spencer police had no idea why the horses were disappearing until one horse owner turned into a detective. Terry Kellum’s horses, Brown Baby and Precious, are back where they belong, grazing on his Spencer property. Each horse has a microchip in its neck and Kellum said it’s a reminder of how close they came to being gone for good.
Every morning Kellum begins his day with his beloved horses, but last Friday they were nowhere to be found. Kellum found his barbed-wire fence cut.
“I just went looking for them and couldn’t find them and that’s when I called the police,” he said. After filling a police report, he hit the road.
“Word on the street was there was a slaughterhouse in Meeker and I just went and checked,” Kellum said.
He drove to a facility in Lincoln County and was stunned the moment he arrived.
“As soon as I pulled up, I saw my two horses in the fence. I got out and called Brown Baby and she got up and raced to the fence, and that’s when I said ‘that’s my horse,’” Kellum said.
At that point, Kellum confronted the business owner who didn't deny that the horses were his, but asked for proof. Kellum produced photos showing the horses and the business owner said he was out $450.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, three men sold the horses to the facility and officers suspect they had sold horses at least twice before.
According to the local police chief, there is reason to believe that the horses are being shipped to Mexico and then being slaughtered and shipped overseas to be sold as meat. Police are now searching for the three men.
About Habitat for Horses
Habitat for Horses is a 501.c.3 nonprofit equine protection organization supported solely by donations. We have around 200 donkeys and horses under our care, plus one ornery, old mule. Most of them are here because law enforcement removed them from their previous owner. Our ability to rehabilitate and rehome them comes from the financial support of people like you. Please support us by Making a Donation for the horses we all serve.
Edited story from Habitat for Horses