Rough times make mistreatment a growing issueMost of the horses involved in a county animal-cruelty case are recovering in new homes.“Certainly, looking at those horses now, you wouldn't know they were starving to death 10 days ago,” said Cody veterinarian Lynne Chadwick. Chadwick helped assess and treat the animals as part of a Park County Sheriff's Department investigation.

After receiving an anonymous tip on Feb. 14, sheriff's deputies found 39 horses, living in corrals near Ralston, with no food and little water.

One of the horses collapsed while being inspected by deputies, and was put down later by Chadwick.

The horses' owners, Michael and Stephanie Francis of Deaver, each face 39 counts of animal cruelty.

Michael Francis ultimately signed the horses' ownership over to Park County.

Brand inspector Dan Hadden said folks in the Powell and Cody area quickly volunteered to take in the equines.

“They all went to good homes,” Hadden said.

He said 10 of the horses actually belong to a Montana man who plans to reclaim his animals.

Chadwick said that, in her 40 years of experience, this case was the worst she's seen.

Using a horse-scoring system, 26 of the 39 animals were found to be thin or very thin, according to documents filed in the criminal case.

“Certainly, it couldn't have gone on much longer,” Chadwick said.

She praised the Sheriff's office's prompt and thorough response.

According to court documents, Michael Francis told law enforcement he didn't have the money or transportation to adequately feed the animals.

Jim Siler, law enforcement administrator with the Wyoming Livestock Board, said it is increasingly common that owners can't afford to keep their animals.

In 2007, the livestock board took in 43 strays. In 2008, they took 96.

Siler said that, based on the first three months of 2009, it looks like this year's number of abandoned animals will be even higher.

“It's a growing deal, and it's costing us money,” he said.

The increased cost to take care of livestock — including horses — has made the finances difficult for owners and the livestock board.

The state-run board is charged with taking in abandoned animals and is involved in animal seizures.

Siler said there is a better option than dumping animals at a neighbor's pasture or illegally letting them starve: State law allows cash-strapped owners to voluntarily turn their animals over to the livestock board.

“People can say ‘I can't care for these animals anymore,'” Siler said.

The taxpayer-funded board absorbs the losses.

“It is an easy way to do it, and it's a lot cheaper for us than when they just turn them out,” Siler said.

Rounding up abandoned animals and trying to find the rightful owner takes time and money, he said.