Statement of Commissioner Tommy Irvin regarding Jefferson County horses case

My staff is cooperating with South Carolina and Jefferson County (Georgia) authorities on a case involving the neglect of 70 horses.

My staff has prepared an administrative order citing two South Carolina residents for 101 counts of violating Georgia’s Humane Care for Equines Act*, violating the Dead Animal Disposal Act and for violating quarantine of the horses on property leased in Georgia.  Jefferson County authorities have issued warrants for Hazelene Trexler and Terry Trexler for 30 counts of animal cruelty each.  South Carolina has arrested them on charges of ill treatment of animals.

Twenty-nine of the animals are in the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s impound facilities.  One horse carcass was found at the Jefferson County location.

The Humane Society of South Carolina has custody of horses seized by its investigators and Richland County Sheriff Department deputies, according to the HSPCA South Carolina website.

All of the horses, mostly Arabians, had been placed under quarantine by the Georgia Department of Agriculture Oct. 25th for lack of Coggin’s tests, the test used to diagnose Equine Infectious Anemia.  Sometime after Nov. 12th, a large number of the horses were moved in violation of the quarantine.  The horses seized in South Carolina are believed to include the horses moved from the Jefferson County site.

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*The Georgia Humane Care for Equines Act of 1992 requires that all equine are provided with adequate food and water, and are treated and cared for in a humane manner.  The Act provides for inspections, impoundments, care, and disposition.  Authority is granted for injunctions, restraining orders, and monetary penalties as required to achieve enforcement.