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Hernando Today

Horses, Steer, Goat Up For Auction

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By TONY MARRERO

Published: December 12, 2007

Hernando Today

BROOKSVILLE - Whinnies and moos mixed with barks and mews at the Hernando County Animal Services compound Tuesday.

Officials are seeking good homes for four horses, two steers and a billy goat that were turned over two weeks ago by a Brooksville resident who could no longer care for the animals.

The animal services department is once again using an online auction company to award the animals to the highest bidder.

Photos and descriptions of the animals can be found - and bids submitted - at www.atkinsononline.com.

Bidding ends this Thursday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.

The animals were clearly underfed but are putting weight on now and otherwise are in fine shape, said department director Liana Teague.

The horses have all had negative Coggins tests, which checks for equine infectious anemia, she said.

"They're very friendly," Teague said as she showed a visitor through the corral at the back of the property.

"Especially Max," she said, approaching the 14-year-old, bay-and-white colored thoroughbred gelding, who bounced his head up down a few times as if to nod in agreement.

Max, however, is the most underweight of the animals. His ribs, hips and backbone all were clearly defined under his smooth brown coat.

"He needs his dignity back, and he needs to be loved," said Cathy Evans, kennel supervisor, just before tossing an armful of fresh hay into the stall.

Max is a "hard keeper," Evans said, meaning it takes extra work to care for him. He requires special hay, and his pellet food must be warmed to avoid irritating his ulcers.

The other animals, Evans said, are "easy keepers."

They include:

- Dutchess, a three-year-old Dutch warmblood mare;

- Sugar, a 14-year-old sorrel and white thoroughbred cross mare;

- Dash, an eight-year-old, bay Appendix gelding;

- a roughly one-year-old black steer;

- a red steer, also about one year old;

- and a black billy goat, age unknown.

An anonymous caller to animal services reported that the animals weren't being cared for, Teague said.

Officers contacted the owner and monitored the condition of the animals. During a more recent visit, the elderly owner admitted her age and finances kept her from properly caring for the animals. She asked officers to take them.

"It was a good decision for the animals," Teague said.

This is the department's fourth online auction for farm animals, Teague said.

It's a much better arrangement for both animals and staff than the live auctions, which had scores of people descending on the property at one time.

The auctions allow potential bidders to trickle in for visits and bid at their leisure. Atkinson Realty and Auction, Inc. of Sarasota also accepts bids by fax, she said. Call the company at 800-756-4098.

The revenue goes back into the department's budget.

The department had a similar case and subsequent auction back in September.

Teague and Evans said they fear they will be seeing more as the economy sputters. When jobs are lost or people are forced to move, owners often must make the tough decision to give up their animals.

Horses are particularly expensive to care for, Evans said.

"People are coming on hard times," she said. "It's heartbreaking."

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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