Bayfield district attorney looking into horse case as residents call for change

Horses seized from a property owner in Bell accused of mistreating the animals have sparked a call for action by Bay Area residents.

More than 15 horses were seized following a monthslong investigation by the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office and the county’s humane officer. The horses were examined with the assistance of several trained veterinarians.

Chief Deputy Andy Runice declined comment on the investigation. A press release from the sheriff’s office on July 10 said the horses are to be returned to the owner, but District Attorney Kimberly Lawton said otherwise.

“The process for criminal charges is that a law enforcement agency investigates a crime and then if they believe there is enough evidence, they make a referral to my office. I received a referral this morning from Bayfield County Sheriff's Office. The matter remains under investigation. The horses have not been returned. The next step is for me to review the evidence and I will decide to issue charges or will send back for further investigation. The decision has not been made,” she said.

Throughout this process, the owner of the animals has been cooperative and committed to ensuring all animals are properly cared for, the release from the sheriff’s office said.

Several Bay Area residents spoke out about the situation, including Sonia Reyes-Buffalo, who has been reporting the matter to authorities for years.

Reyes –Buffalo has launched an online petition to demand authorities take action. So far, the petition has collected 700 signatures with the goal of 1,000.

“I, along with countless other residents of Bayfield County and further, have become increasingly concerned about a disturbing situation involving Spanish mustangs in our community. These horses are experiencing terrible neglect and abuse daily. It has turned from a personal matter close to my heart into a community-wide issue that can no longer be ignored,” the petition reads.

Reyes–Buffalo and her coworker, Vicki Tribovich, at Unbridled Hope Equine Assisted Learning Center in Bayfield helped seize the horses in June when the warrant was issued.

What Reyes–Buffalo said she saw on the property was “worse than she could imagine.”

“Many of the horses were feral and in horrible conditions. There were many mares pregnant and many foals on the property that had serious wounds caused by poor living conditions. Many of the horses were sickly looking and skinny to the point of hip and rib bones protruding. There were also stallions in round pens not bigger than your living rooms standing in muck up to their knees never able to eat grass or drink fresh water. And I won't forget to mention the bones and skeletons hanging from trees like ornaments. The sight was gruesome and heartbreaking to see,” she said.

On the property, Tribovich said she also witnessed horses with eye infections and that most of the herd has major hoof issues, “cracks all the way up and mud or grass coming through it.”

As an avid animal lover, life long Bayfield County resident Bella Bretting felt compelled to foster some of the horses for the time being.

“It’s heartbreaking. It’s emotionally damaging for them. I wanted to do whatever I can to help,” she said.

According to The Horse Fund, almost 100,000 horses are neglected or abused each year in the United States alone.

“It is heartbreaking to see such magnificent creatures suffering right here in our community,” Reyes-Buffalo said. “These Spanish mustangs located a short distance from your homes and our neighborhoods symbolize America's living heritage. Spanish mustangs, as stated by the "Spanish Mustang Registry," were brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Neglecting and abusing these creatures is not just a crime against animals; it's a breach of our cultural heritage.”

Bretting and Chequamegon Humane Association Director Kari Olinger encourage people to be respectful of the DA’s office as Lawson and law enforcement investigate the matter.

“CHA is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of these horses, and we are grateful to animal control for taking action after what appears to be months or even years of complaints. We trust in the Bayfield County Sheriff and District Attorney's Office to ensure that these animals receive proper care and to send a clear message that animal abuse and neglect will not be tolerated in Bayfield County,” Olinger said.