New police task force to crack down on horse abuse, neglect

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A new law enforcement task force will address horse neglect and abuse in the Acres Homes area.

The Houston Police Department is joining forces with the Humane Society and Crime Stoppers of Houston to educate the public on proper horse care and to prosecute horse owners who neglect their animals.

"Our goal is compliance," Captain Larry Baimbridge said, "Our goal is good, responsible, healthy horses, but if you're not willing to do that, then we're certainly willing and able to enforce the law on you."

Baimbridge estimates there are about 1,000 horses in the Acres Homes area, many of which are malnurished and abused. The task force is named "Monty" after a neglected horse Baimbridge found last January.

"It was anger. I was just very frustrated, very angry," Baimbridge said. "There was this pale horse that had collapsed. There was this guy standing over it, trying to make it get up."

The horse owner and his wife were arrested and faced both criminal and civil charges.

Baimbridge said that situation was the final straw for him.

"I knew something had to be done," he said.

The new task force will host a free educational event and horse clinic at the HPD offices on West Montgomery road at the end of January.

To report horse abuse or neglect, call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.