FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Horses Get Their Day In Court
True Blue Animal Rescue vs Waller County
On July 10, 2015, 34 cruelly treated horses were seized from Kathie Digilio from her property. Felony charges have been against Ms. Digilio regarding the horses which are pending.
True Blue Animal Rescue (TBAR) was requested by Waller County to care for the horses. True Blue Animal Rescue is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to helping abused and neglected animals. As part of this mission they support law enforcement by taking in animals that need to be removed from a neglectful or abusive situation. TBAR has been caring for the 34 horses since they were seized now 15 months ago.
On September 2, 2016, the Justice Court entered an Order of Disposition that all 34 horses were cruelly treated. However, the Order also included the return of 7 of these horses to Ms. Digilio, her pick. Three horses were supposed to be transferred to a buyer who allegedly bought them before the seizure in 2015. The 7 horses picked by Ms. Digilio are all mares. Two of the three horses that were supposed to have been purchased before the seizure are stallions (one still a colt). The rest of the horses, 24 of them, were awarded to TBAR.
Pursuant to an agreement between Ms. Digilio and Waller County, TBAR was to be reimbursed only a fraction of the cost to care for the 34 horses. TBAR was not a party to this agreement.
On October 3, 2016, TBAR filed an injunction against Waller County in the district court challenging the return of horses to Ms. Digilio and the alleged buyer, and is seeking to be fully reimbursed for the care given to the 34 horses. On the same day TBAR filed suit, a “Supplemental Order” was issued by the Justice Court that states the 24 horses awarded to TBAR were “unintentionally mistreated.” Seven horses were awarded to Ms. Digilio and 3 to the alleged buyer as stated above in the “supplement”.
The injunction filed by TBAR was granted on October 6, 2016. A hearing on the injunction has been set for November 21, 2016. TBAR is represented by Ms. Zandra Anderson, a trial attorney specializing in animal law. With her animal law knowledge and strength of fortitude True Blue Animal Rescue knows they are offering the horses the best chance possible.
TBAR is thankful for all of its volunteers who have rehabilitated these horses back to good health. TBAR remains committed to the welfare of all 34 horses. TBAR appreciates that there will likely be many questions about these turn of events. However, we will avoid further comment due to the pending litigation that we hope is swiftly resolved.