July 25, 2008

The five (5) horses that had been seized in early May by McCracken County animal wardens, and later released per a court order, have been located and returned to McCracken County.

On Thursday July 24, McCracken County Attorney Dan Boaz requested the sheriff's department conduct an investigation into whether or not the McCracken County District Court Order had been violated, and secondly, to find out what had happened to the horses.

Based on the sheriff's departments investigation, investigators learned that the man that picked up the horses per a court order, took the horses to Goreville Illinois and sold them at an auction there. Investigators located the man (also from the Southern Illinois area) that purchased the horses. "This individual was very cooperative and agreed to turn the horses over to McCracken County authorities." "There had been a rumor in the area that these horses had been taken and slaughtered. That rumor was found to be false."

On Friday afternoon, McCracken Sheriff's detectives assisted the McCracken County Animal Warden recover the 5 five horses from a southern Illinois location, and return them to an undisclosed location in McCracken County.

The horses appeared to be doing well. The investigation has progressed well and we hope to have our findings to the McCracken County Attorneys Office next week. Det. Jesse Riddle is handling this investigation.