Horses will be
put up for adoption

The Humane Society
claims their former
owner neglected them

By Diana Leone
Star-Bulletin

Two Andalusian horses will soon be available for adoption from the Hawaiian Humane Society after a judge ordered they be removed from their owner due to neglect.

Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto is allowing owner Polly Ward to keep a third horse that the Humane Society alleged had been neglected. If she meets court guidelines for its feeding and care, the deferred guilty plea she entered in the case will be removed from her record, a court spokesman said.

Last fall, the Humane Society investigated allegations that three horses owned by Ward and being kept in the Kahuku area were being neglected. Before the horses were removed, Ward was "warned more than once about this whole situation," said veterinarian Manuel Himenes, who has examined the animals several times.

"What our humane investigator found were three horses being kept in manure-filled stalls," said Humane Society President Pamela Burns. "The horses were grossly underweight and in need of veterinary care. Our concern was to seek immediate relief for the horses and see that they were properly cared for."

All the horses are at least 18 years old, and after recuperating at a North Shore location and receiving veterinary care, they are doing well, said Linda Haller, the Humane Society's director of operations.

The horse returned to Ward on a trial basis is a quarter-horse mare. The Andalusians up for adoption are a stallion and a mare.

"We will be screening people to be sure that these horses find a home where they will be well provided for and never have to suffer as they did in the past," Haller said.

Additional court paperwork must be completed before adoptions can be made. Anyone interested in adopting the horses can leave their name and phone number with the society at 946-2187.