Local News

The Wenatchee World

Okanogan County Sheriff’s deputies removed eight horses from a field near Wauconda on Tuesday after determining they were not being fed or watered.

Sheriff Frank Rogers said a Gig Harbor man owns the horses, and told authorities he had asked his son who lives in Tonasket to care for them. Deputies left messages for the son, but were unable to reach him.

Neighbors first complained in December that the horses at 251 Toroda Creek Road were not being cared for, and some neighbors have been bringing them food and water, Rogers said.

When deputies arrived on Tuesday, the animals had no food or water, he said. Some of them had cuts and bruises, and one had an injured leg, he said.

Rogers said the horses were taken to a nearby ranch, and a veterinarian will look them over today or Thursday.

A report will be sent to the prosecutor to determine whether to charge the father or son with animal cruelty, he said.

The Associated Press

The Pierce County prosecutor says a 69-year-old Graham man accused of failing to properly care for more than three dozen horses has been charged with 10 counts of second-degree animal cruelty.

After learning that Annalicia Herrera couldn’t see the Clydesdales because she is blind, Jim Damico, one of the handlers, lifted her up to feel how big the horses are during a Sunday appearance at the Smokey Point Walmart in Arlington. (Colin Diltz / Seattle Times)

The Budweiser Clydesdales are in Western Washington this week making appearances at several venues. Unfortunately, the horses cannot be seen at the Puyallup fairgrounds where they’re staying, because of the fairgrounds schedule. Note that the horses do not appear when it’s raining.

– Thursday, 2 to 4 p.m. Walmart, 310 31st Ave. S.E., Puyallup

– Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. main P.X., Joint Base Lewis-McChord. This appearance is open only to those with base access.

– Saturday, 1 to 3 p.m. Walmart, Bonney Lake

The Clydesdales are visiting the Northwest as part of a military-appreciation tour. This team of 10 horses, based in Fort Collins, Colo., is on the road 320 days a year, making appearances in the West. Eight of the horses are used to pull the beer wagon while two of the horses are alternates, said Roman Raber, assistant supervisor with the Budweiser team.

The tallest horse on the team is 19.2 hands or 61/2 feet tall near the base of his neck. The horses weigh up to 2,300 pounds and eat 30 to 40 pounds of hay a day plus grain and supplements. They drink 20 to 30 gallons of water a day or twice that in hot weather, Raber said.