Humane Society of Missouri Statement Regarding William Zobel Guilty Plea in Greene County Horse Rescue Case

November 28, 2005 - William Zobel plead guilty this morning to four Class A misdemeanor counts of animal abuse and one Class A misdemeanor count of failure to dispose of an animal carcass and, further, agreed to forfeit ownership of the approximately 120 horses that Greene County authorities confiscated from his rural Republic ranch in January. He was sentenced to five concurrent one-year jail terms, but the execution of those sentences was suspended. He was given two years of unsupervised probation and will not be allowed to own or possess any animal or engage in any business of animal husbandry.

“The Humane Society of Missouri applauds the diligent efforts of the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s office regarding this egregious case,” stated Kathryn Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri. “Our goal is to ensure that Mr. Zobel or any individual who abuses animals, large or small, in the state of Missouri is not in a position to again bring harm to another living creature. Because our primary concern is for the welfare of animals, we advocate for the harshest penalties possible as a deterrent to animal abusers.”

The Humane Society is in the process of finding safe, loving homes for the horses that have been in its care. Currently 85 of the horses and resulting foals from this rescue are still available for adoption. Interested individuals may contact Longmeadow Rescue Ranch at 636-583-8759 for further information on adopting these animals.

Background:
The Humane Society of Missouri assisted the Greene County Sheriff’s Office in rescuing 120 horses from a 180-acre property belonging to William Zobel outside of Republic, Missouri on January 8, 2005. Many of those horses were starving and sick and several dead horses were found. Zobel was charged with 39 misdemeanor counts of animal abuse, animal neglect and failure to dispose of animal carcasses. The Humane Society of Missouri and Carthage Humane Society took in the confiscated horses and provided care and shelter. The case later went to the Missouri Supreme Court and in July, the high court ruled that the seizure was legal and that Greene County Circuit Court Judge Don Burrell had the authority to let the humane societies adopt out the animals.