Emaciated horses found in Wake pasture

An animal welfare group hopes to take permanent custody of seven horses found starving in a pasture in southern Wake County.

An eighth horse, a mare named Rain, died of colic brought on by starvation, according to a suit filed today in Wake Superior Court by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, which seeks custody of the horses. The national animals rights group and Kelli Ferris, an N.C. State University veterinarian and animal cruelty investigator, want to prevent the horses' owners from having future pets and horses. The owners, Michael and Judy Keating and their daughter Gayle, could not be reached for comment.

The horses were living in a rented pasture outside Willow Spring, a small community in southern Wake County, according to the suit.

A concerned neighbor noticed the malnourished horses in December and contacted a veterinarian, who in turn contacted investigators.

The horses had no access to hay, and the only bale in the field was outside their reach and moldy, according to the lawsuit. In attempts to get nutrition, the horses were eating bark off trees and dirt, according to the lawsuit.

There was no evidence that the horses had ever been seen by veterinarians while in the Keatings' care. The horses -- three mares, two colts and a filly -- had protruding hipbones, backbones and ribs. They were seized by Ferris and are now in foster care arranged by the U.S. Equine Rescue League.

A stallion was left in the pasture because it appeared to be in better care.

ALDF and Ferris are hoping a judge will order the Keatings to pay for the care of the horses and not acquire any new animals for 10 years.

Judy Keating turned over an emaciated horse to authorities in 2002, according to the lawsuit.

A fuller report on the lawsuit will be appear Tuesday in The News & Observer.