13 horses seized from veterinarian - Roane, WV

Friday, Jul 28, 2006

County: Roane

Disposition: Dismissed (Conditional)

Person of Interest: Lori Gabri, DVM

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

More than a dozen horses are seized from a Roane County Farm after the State Veterinarian says to remove them.

"Right now some people from the animal shelter and some private citizens have agreed to help us haul them," said Chief Deputy Jeff Smith with the Roane County Sheriff's Department. Saturday he served Lori Gabri, the horses' owner, with a search warrant allowing the horses to be removed. Neighbors had been complaining for months that the close to 20 horses Gabri owner were not being fed properly.

Deputies came to the farm on July 28 with State Veterinarian Dr. Joe Starcher to inspect the horses and the property.

"The state vet recommended that the horses be removed," said Chief Deputy Smith. The horses were taken to a stock yard in Spencer where they will be housed temporarily.

No official charges have been filed against Gabri but she has been suspended from her job as a veterinarian in Kanawha County.

Connie Lupardus is a member of the West Virginia Horse Council. She helped transport the horses Saturday. "We domesticate them. We bring them onto our farms and lock them in stalls. We pen them up and we put them behind barbed wire and electric fence," said Lupardus. "They are dependent on us to take care of them and when we fail that we should be held responsible."

Neighbors called�local news�after trying for months to get authorities to help the horses. Lupardus says the state needs to do a better job of training the people who respond to abuse calls like this one.

"The lesson to be learned is there has got to be some education done with the officials who handle these situations," Lupardus said.

But for now the horses seized from the farm are getting a second chance thanks to the efforts of a few people willing to speak up.

"You just have to be one or two persons that stand up for what you think is right," Lupardus said.

Lori Gabri gave five horses away before the vet came to inspect the farm.

The people caring for those horses need your help...specifically whole oats and grass hay. You can call them at (304) 988-3901.

For information on how to help the other horses call the Roane County Sheriff's Department at (304) 927-3410.

Case Updates

The Roane prosecutor says it was the best way to resolve the case. The local humane society says it's the result of lack of funding for animal issues. A national animal rights group called it "disgusting." Authorities seized the horses from Charleston veterinarian Lori Gabri after neighbors complained that the animals weren't being fed. According to a humane officer who visited Gabri's 6-acre farm on Abbott Road, you could see the backbones and ribs of the horses because of weight loss. In her agreement with Prosecutor Mark Sergant last month, she will get her horses back when she gets some more land on which they can graze. For the time being, they're being kept at a horse sanctuary in Leon. Meanwhile, Gabri's veterinary license is under review.

Source: Charleston Daily Mail - Sept 25, 2006 Update posted on Sep 28, 2006 - 11:08PM

A West Virginia state veterinarian has paid a visit to that farm. Earlier this week we spoke with neighbors who were outraged about the condition of some horses in Roane County. They say the owner, Lori Gabri, has been starving nearly 20 horses in her care, including one that had to be put down on Tuesday. Many of you were surprised to find out that Gabri works as a vet in Kanawha county. "I was asked to come up here by the sheriff's department and the humane society in Roane county to look at the horses." said Dr. Joe Starcher, the West Virginia state veterinarian. Friday Starcher, a Roane county sheriff's deputy and the Roane county humane officer inspected the horses and the property. "I can't say much the investigation is ongoing." Starcher said. Right now no officials charges have been filed. Sources tell us that since our story aired on Tuesday, Lori Gabri has been suspended from her job. Gabri says one of the horses was stolen from the pasture Thursday night, and five other horses have been given away. Late Friday afternoon there were still several horses in the pasture. The people caring for the five horses that Gabri agreed to give away need help with feed and hay and other supplies. They specifically need whole oats and grass hay. For information on how to help call (304) 988-3901.

Source: WOWK - July 28, 2006 Update posted on Sep 28, 2006 - 2:09PM

References

• « WV State Animal Cruelty Map
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