How the Humane Society Became "Modern day Horse Thieves"
On June 6, Wise County officials called, asking HSNT to assist in a large-scale seizure of horses in Paradise, Texas. HSNT was onsite and helped in the removal of 27 horses that needed immediate life-saving intervention. The owner, Dr. Elizabeth Rohr, was a familiar name, as HSNT had removed horses from her property in 2002.
Before the Humane Investigations Team had fully recovered from their long, 16-hour day and the trauma of seeing yet again what can happen to animals with uncaring owners, a call came in, asking assistance on still another Rohr property. This time Southlake officials, after receiving numerous complaints, were asking for HSNT to help-less than 6 days after the Wise County seizure.
On June 12, HSNT and Southlake officials entered Dr. Rohr's property and removed 17 horses. Five remaining horses were too difficult to catch and too frail to undergo the stress of a chase, so officials placed a hold on the horses, leaving them on the property until they could be safely removed.
Two days later, officials again attempted to remove the remaining horses. After spending hours into the darkness, they were able to remove four of the five. The following day, Southlake officials were able to remove the one remaining horse. In total, 22 horses were removed to HSNT's custody and care. Dr. Rohr's attorney was quoted in the news as calling the humane society "modern day horse thieves."
On June 14 and 15, a hearing in Wise County was held. It was determined that although the horses had clearly needed immediate medical attention, 25 would be returned to Dr. Rohr. Two remaining horses were held, to be sold at auction. Currently a hearing, which was re-scheduled from July 29th to August 10th, is scheduled to determine if Dr. Rohr violated her adjudicated probation from an earlier cruelty charge in 2002.
Southlake officials had set a hearing for June 22. After learning that Southlake would not accept a plea bargain, Dr. Rohr's attorney requested postponement until June 29. On that date, the hearing took place at Southlake Municipal Hall to determine if the horses in question had indeed been cruelly treated. The judge conducting the hearing awarded the 22 horses in question to HSNT. Dr. Rohr must auction the remaining 75 horses at her Southlake property and can keep only eight horses on that property in the future. Denton County has charged Rohr with 22 counts of animal cruelty, the hearing date has not been set.
Sadly, there are many other people out there that do not properly care for their animals. HSNT has been, and will in the future, be there to help the animals. We believe that you cannot put a price tag on quality, loving care; however, the reality is that healing and helping abused and neglected animals does cost a great deal of money. The Rohr horses cost HSNT over $9,000 in just 16 days. In the past year, HSNT has spent over $40,000 on abused and neglected animals alone. This is not the end of the story; the Rohr horses still need several weeks of intensive medical care and love before they can be placed for adoption.
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To donate to the HSNT Abused Equine Fund, contact Beverly Dickerson at 817-332-4768, ext. 101.
In-kind needs include halters, leads, and a large capacity stock trailer.
Contact Tammy Kirkpatrick at 817-332-4768, ext. 115.
For adoption or foster information, contact:
Tory Stoughton at 817-332-4768, ext. 113,
or
pick up an application at
1840 E. Lancaster
Fort Worth, 76103.
If you prefer, you may mail in your donation to:
Humane Society of North Texas
Attn: Beverly Dickerson
HSNT Abused Equine Fund
1840 E. Lancaster Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76103
Make Checks payable to HSNT.
