Aiken Equine Rescue calls for help as costs continue to rise
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A rescue dedicated to saving horses is calling out for help.
The Aiken Equine Rescue says with every ing day, they are seeing high call volumes.
They took in nine neglected horses from Edgefield County and then four more from Richland County.
With rising costs and more mouths to fill, the rescue is praying for relief, which could come if Governor Henry McMaster signs House Bill 3682.
“It’s been drugged out almost two years without a court date in mind yet,” said Aiken Equine Rescue president, Jim Rhodes.
Almost two years ago, Aiken Equine Rescue took in nine horses from Edgefield County. The rescue said the horses are ready for adoption, but until a court date comes, the horses are stuck at the rescue.
Rhodes says they’ve spent nearly $100,000 on the nine horses.
“The burden shouldn’t be placed on us or in the county’s case on the taxpayers. We could have other horses here that aren’t in a court case,” he said.
In South Carolina, rescue groups like Aiken Equine Rescue have to foot the bill when it comes to caring for abused animals.
Although ready for adoption, the horses’ future is in limbo because the owner refuses to surrender them and there is no court date set to determine their future. It places a huge financial strain on the rescue.
“With the cost of care bill, the owners will be held responsible financially,” said Rhodes.
House Bill 3682 states that the owner or person charged with animal cruelty may be ordered, if not previously ordered, to pay costs incurred to care for the animal and related expenses. It goes on to say the owner of the animals is charged and shall care and provide properly for the animals.
“In other words, they would have to pay what they were supposedly having to pay while they were taking care of the animals, to begin with,” said Rhodes.
Rhodes says the rescue took a big hit during COVID and inflation.
He says property wise they have the ability to care for 70 horses. They are budgeted for about 40, but at this time, they have about 50 horses on site.
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