14 DAY TRIAL // Volunteers from the Dust Devil Ranch Sanctuary for Horses, near Cedar City, were shocked at the sight of one of the state's most severe cases of animal abuse. Two horses were rescued from death after being frozen to the ground in a patch of mud, but only one managed to survive.
The young one-year-old horse, Elsa, and her mother Anna were spotted by a passerby in incredibly horrible conditions two weeks ago.
The kind-hearted man called animal rescue services and veterinarians managed to remove the two animals from the frozen ground and take them to safety. Even with intensive care for more than a week, young Elsa passed away.
The one-year-old horse suffered from hypothermia, severe sores on one side and her face, as well as an eye infection because of the long period of time spent in contact with the frozen ground.
Besides the complications brought upon the animals because of the below-zero temperature, the two horses also suffered from starvation.
When they were found, the poor animals didn't even have the strength to move and volunteers transported them to a stable providing aliments, medicine and proper conditions for their healing.
Despite the fact that veterinarians gave Elsa just a few hours to live, she managed to survive for ten days before finally passing away.
The mother, Anna, is currently recovering well thanks to volunteers taking shifts to care for the her needs. Once she is fully recovered, she will be put up for adoption, like the majority of animals rescued by the sanctuary.
The two animals were named after the Disney characters of the animated movie “Frozen” and their emotional story was published on the animal center's Facebook page gathering viewers' support and appreciation.
The volunteers hope stories like Elsa's will help spread the word and prevent cases of animal neglect around the world.
The owner of the two horses, from Enoch city, was accused of two counts of animal cruelty, class B misdemeanor and was issued a citation.