ABOVE: The hoofs of one of the animals when found March 1st. (Photo courtesy of Vermilion County Animal Shelter)
A 42-year-old rural Danville woman is facing charges involving mistreatment of animals. The Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office has confirmed that Crystal Calbro has been charged with 22 separate counts, ranging from “Violation of Animal Owner Duties” to “Cruelty to Animals.” She is scheduled for arraignment in court this Friday, April 21st.
Kathleen Orcutt from the Vermilion County Animal Shelter says this goes back to March 1st, when a tip was called into their office. By the end of the day six horses, one donkey, and two rabbits were all taken from the property in question, and placed at a cooperative stable in a secure location. Orcutt says the animals were in several inches of their own feces, with little or no food.
Orcutt also says the horses are requiring mental and emotional, as well as physical, rehabilitation. Four of them have cushings, or equine diabetes; and one of them is blind.
There are a lot of heroes here; from the person who called in the tip, to the people who operate the stable temporarily caring for the animals, to volunteers who have stepped forward. Orcutt says one of the horses has gained 100 pounds in the six weeks since being found. And yes, it is taking a lot to feed these animals and make them stronger.
AUDIO: They are eating 114 pounds of bagged feed a day alone. And they also get hay on top of that, along with other supplements. They get taken care of by the farriers. They’re seen regularly by the veterinarian. Their blood work is done on a regular basis as well.
The farrier is the one taking care of the animals’ feet, as they require regular hoof trims. The horses with cushings, meanwhile, cannot shed regularly; so there are receiving extra grooming from volunteers helping on the weekends. Orcutt says, no doubt, the folks running this stable caring for the animals will work with them again someday. Meanwhile, should the animals be declared the property of the shelter, they will take extreme extra care to give them good homes.
AUDIO: We have to be very careful about who the animals are released to. And we also want to make sure that we are putting them with well educated horsemen that know what they are taking on. There is a horse in the herd that is 35 years old; so he requires senior care.
If you are interested in donations to help these animals, learn more by going to https://www.vercounty.org/animal-shelter/
