LOS LUNAS, N.M. (AP) — State officials are investigating a New Mexico horse auction after a YouTube video surfaced showing a severely emaciated gray mare and another injured mare pawing at the ground.
The Albuquerque Journal reports (http://bit.ly/Hq5Hfs) that the state Livestock Board began an investigation this week into the Southwest Livestock Auctions, owned by Dennis Chavez, following the posting of the graphic video by Animals' Angels Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Westminster, Md.
Myles Culbertson, executive director of the Livestock Board, said his agency launched an investigation after watching the video allegedly from the Los Lunas horse auction on March 10 and receiving emails about the video.
"When we saw that and when there's an allegation of animal cruelty at that market, we just made a decision immediately to launch an investigation," Culbertson told the Journal.
Chavez did not immediately return a phone call to The Associated Press.
He said his agency has the authority to go to court to seize animals that might be in danger, but had not yet done so. He noted the investigation had just begun, and he did not know how long it would take.
"We don't know how complex it is, we don't know what the real facts are that would lead to additional questions," Culbertson said. "I think we can count the time in not days, but probably weeks and not very many of those."
Phil Sisneros, a spokesman for the Attorney General Gary King, said the office also is reviewing the matter. "We are closely monitoring the situation but have not made any decision on direct involvement," Sisneros said. "There are a number of factors to consider, including determining what other law enforcement jurisdictions are doing and whether any laws have been broken."
The website for Animals' Angels states that the group's investigators had received "frequent complaints about Chavez's operation, all alleging abuse, neglect and animals suffering with no vet care and in need of euthanasia."
The group's video shows a severely emaciated gray mare, struggling to get to her feet, with a gaping wound on her hip. Another mare lies sprawled, pawing at the ground near a water trough as she lifts her head and bites her tongue, according to the video.
The animal group, which bills itself as an organization that focuses on improving conditions for farm animals, said an inspector refused to interrupt the auction to have the four horses euthanized.
The March 10 quarterly horse auction was advertised as a "Summit of the Horse" on its fliers.
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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com
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