Authorities, board continue investigations

<br>HENNESSEY, Okla. (AP) _ Kingfisher County authorities and a state veterinarian board continue to gather evidence in the deaths and malnourishment of dozens of horses. <br><br>Deputies and local ranchers

Friday, November 22nd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HENNESSEY, Okla. (AP) _ Kingfisher County authorities and a state veterinarian board continue to gather evidence in the deaths and malnourishment of dozens of horses.

Deputies and local ranchers moved 105 horses to Gene Richardson's farm on Wednesday and buried 27 dead horses. Richardson volunteered to take the animals, which are part of the sheriff department's probe.

Kingfisher County deputies found the horses on Tuesday in a 70-acre field west of Hennessey. The next day, they interviewed retired Enid veterinarian Jess Brewer, who they said apparently owns the horses with two other people.

Undersheriff Barry Reilly said he talked with representatives from the Kingfisher County District Attorney's office and hopes to have the investigation completed by next week.

Brewer said most of the horses came from a Navajo reservation near Holbrook, Ariz. The horses were malnourished and dehydrated when he got them, he said.

The animals were purchased so that their health could be restored and then they could be sold as pets and pleasure horses.

Brewer said one of his partners, whom he declined to name, was responsible for feeding the animals. He said he believes the partner did what he was supposed to do.

``I didn't know anything about this until yesterday (Wednesday) morning,'' he said.

The middle-aged horses appeared to have more flesh and to be healthier than the older and very young ones which probably died because they were in such bad shape when they left Arizona.

He also questioned whether the sheriff's department did proper autopsies on the animals to determine the cause of death. He said any number of things could have killed them, including West Nile Virus.

Kristy Krueger, a Lahoma veterinarian, was leading efforts to tag each horse and diagnose its medical problems, Reilly said.

Krueger is treating the horses for a variety of ailments, including ringworm and mouth sores, which she attributed to a lack of care.

The Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners also has begun gathering evidence in the case, said Cathy Kirkpatrick, the board's executive director.

A review panel hearing will be requested if the board's secretary- treasurer finds enough evidence to warrant one. The board may issue a reprimand or suspend or revoke licenses.

Brewer is current with all his licenses although he is retired, she said.

Kingfisher County investigators did not release the names of Brewer's partners but were to interview them Thursday afternoon, Reilly said.

Reilly said his office has received offers to help the horses.

``The phones just did not stop yesterday, and they've been ringing steady all morning,'' Reilly said.

The department accepted donations of food and medicine on Thursday. Seaboard Farms will deliver nine tons of feed.

The sheriff does not plan to sell or adopt out the horses now because they are evidence.