07-03-2025
Neglected horses are improving after getting removed from Suffolk property
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — On a farm in Pungo, the nonprofit 'Circle A Home for Horses' is caring for multiple horses that were involved in a case of animal neglect in Suffolk.
In late January, more than 22 horses were rescued in Suffolk, with 10 Arabian horses ending up at the sanctuary.
Previously: Police: 6 dead horses, 22 suspected of neglect in Suffolk
'Well, last Monday was four weeks, and I'm so proud of them,' said Alicia Mahar, Circle A director and founder. 'They've improved dramatically. They're very vocal. They're just very sweet horses. They've had all the veterinary treatments that they needed, and they are steadily gaining weight.'
Six have gone to foster homes, and Gandalf, Roper, Masha, and Aslan are left. Mahar said Aslan is making major strides.
'He was a little shy when he came,' Mahar said. 'But of all the horses, he's the most dramatic change, where before, if we walked to his stall, he'd walk to the other side. Now he'll come up to us.'
Mahar is very happy with how quickly they are improving.
'Our goal for every horse that comes here is to let them experience their best life, and the volunteers feel the same way,' Mahar said.
Circle A has rehabilitated more than 800 horses. Mahar is still amazed to see horses improve after years of neglect. She loves to see the horses start recognizing her volunteers.
'Horses are generally routine-driven, so they see people, pretty much the same people, coming in and feeding them three times a day, cleaning their stalls, grooming them, and giving them fresh water, so they've learned to trust,' Mahar said.
Circle A said Suffolk Animal Control and a local veterinarian, Dr. Cathleen Lombardi, who meets weekly, are continuously working together to help more.
'The owner is surrendering them to us at a pace that we can rehome them or get them rehabilitated, so there is hope,' Mahar said.
In court documents, Lombardi has found five deceased horses on the property and noted there is no appropriate water source for animals with hay with little to no nutritional value.
All this comes after a Suffolk General District Court judge ordered Janet Aston and William Shelton, the 'custodians,' to multiple rules.
In court documents, the custodians' 22 horses seized by Suffolk Animal Control 'were not adequately fed to prevent malnutrition and/or were cruelly treated.'
Aston and Shelton have other horses still on the property that have not been seized by Suffolk Animal Control and agreed to the following stipulations:
The custodians may sell the remaining horses on the property but need to obtain a health certificate. Lombardi must examine the horse(s), and they must be fit to travel and be sold. The possible buyer's veterinarian will need to provide confirmation that the buyer is appropriate to own a horse.
Weekly visits of the remaining horses will be managed by Lombardi to see the horses. Dr. Lombardi must be accompanied by a member of Suffolk Animal Control, with Aston and Shelton getting a call before each visit.
The custodians must follow a feeding or re-feeding plan by the local veterinarian.
If Dr. Lombardi finds any medical issues, Aston and Shelton must have their veterinarian treat the horse and document it to the vet and Suffolk Animal Control.
The custodians must get approval from Lombardi and Suffolk Animal Control if they decide to rehome or surrender the horses except Circle A Home for Horses.
Aston and Shelton are prohibited from purchasing or getting new horses. The two are allowed to see and visit the horses.
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