Case Report

31 thoroughbreds, some of Kentucky Derby champion bloodlines, were found severely malnourished and standing in their own waste - some of the horses were close to death.

Tammie Bennett, a Kentucky Humane society officer, says one horse couldn't walk on its own or even hold up its own head. And because of malnourishment, that horse's growth will be stunted. "He weighed 520 pounds," Bennett says. "He should have weighed 1200 pounds."

Bennett found other horses trapped in the worst of conditions, some standing in "18 inches of manure and urine."

One horse, Fairy Princess was sired by 1986 Derby winner Ferdinand. All 31 are owned by Irvington horse breeder Ursula Elfers. She appeared in court Tuesday to face 31 counts of animal cruelty. Her lawyer said she is pleading not guilty, and wants the horses back.

Elfers refused to comment as she left the courtroom. According to her attorney, Aaron Whaley, Elfers says all but five or six were in good health. "Just because a couple get sick, doesn't mean she should have them all taken away."

A trial date has not been set.

Animal cruelty is a misdemeanor in Kentucky, punishable by up to a year in jail, but Elfers' lawyer says his client probably faces loss of the horses and that's about it. Otherwise, Bennett says she has plans to sue Elfers for the nearly $30,000 she has spent to house and rehabilitate the horses since December.

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