Regarding felony animal torture: Moose

One of three felony animal torture counts is related to a horse named Moose.

February 2007—Mercier noticed that Moose had dropped about fifty pounds. Mercier brought Moose into the barn where she would be warmer, would not have to compete for food, and he could keep a close eye on her and control her diet.

Moose stressed out from being separated from a "buddy" horse and would not eat much. She began to colic, and ate even less food. Mercier provided Moose with supplements and supportive care. Moose recovered from the colic, but had difficulty putting weight back on because of the cold weather (supported by testimony).

March 14—ACO Wheaton found Moose segregated with the other thin horses in the barn.

March 16—Dr. Sray found Moose standing in a pen with two other thin horses. He did not observe anything about the three horses that led him to suspect torture or failure to provide. He believed that the low body weight of Moose and the other two thin horses were due to common factors such as age, weather and sickness.

March 20—Dr. Altemose and Dr. Chickering found Moose to be emaciated and recommended immediate veterinary treatment, which was not provided by Animal Control until March 27.

March 21—Brad Chaltry examined Moose and noted that she was “really skinny” but walking around. She was in the same pen as two other thin horses. He did not find her starved, and believed she needed to be dewormed. He did not recommend veterinary care for Moose.

March 27—Dr. Hammer examined Moose and found no medical problems, but noted that she was “severely emaciated.” The prosecution’s expert did not find a need for veterinary care for this horse.

Moose was a “hard keeper” that had difficulty keeping weight on during the winter for a
variety of reasons. She put on weight when the weather warmed up, and was sold at auction by Jackson County.