Neglected horses seized from Maine farm could need year of rehabilitation Share Updated: 5:19 PM EDT Jul 30, 2021 Share Updated: 5:19 PM EDT Jul 30, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript WINDHAM. WMTW NEWS 8'JIM S KEITHLEY PAID A VISIT TOEE S HOW THE ANIMALS ARE COMING ALONG. "WHEN THEY ARRIVED, THEY WERE COVERED IN LICE, LNMAOURISHED AND DEHYDRATED - IT'S BEEN A CO UPLE OF WEEKS - THEY'VE COME A LONG WAY, BUT THEY HAVE A LONG WAY TO G" O. WITH AN EXPOSED RIB CAGE AND BOWED SPIN..E.HORSE NUMBER-14 WAS ONE OF THE ANIMALS NEAR DEATH WHEN HE ARRIVED AT MAINE STA TE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANIMALS IN WINDHAM...WHERE THEY ARE ALL BEING RE- HABILITATED. 58 "HE IS A HORSE THAT I WOULD CALL DEATH STRUCK. HE REALLY DOES NOT EXHIBIT THE WILL TO LIVE AT THE MOMENT. HE'S KIND OF DISINTERESTED IN THINGS. 15 HE'S PRETTY UNRESPONSIVE TO THINGS BECAUSE HE'S DEPRESSED. HE'S STARVING TO DEATH ." 20 NEGLECTED HORSES SEIZED FROM A FARM IN SPRINGVALE ON JULY4T 1H...WHERE AUTHORITIES SAID THE WOMAN HAD COLLECTED MORE THAN 50 ANIMALS SHE CLAIMED TO HAVE RESCUED. THE OTHER ANIMALS WERE TAKEN TO LOCAL SHELTERS...IN COUR TT,HE WOMAN WAS SLAPPED WITH A "LIFETIME ANIMAL POSSESSION BAN ." MERIS BICKFORD - THE CHI EF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE WINDHAM FACILITY WHERE THE HORSES ARE BEING CARED FOR SAYS THE NEGLECT IS SO EGREGIOUS - SHE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY CRIMINAL CHARGES WERE NOT BROUGHT. "THE CONDITION THESE ANIMALWES RE IN WHEN WE BROUGHT THEM HERE, IF THEY WERE CHILDREN OR ELDERLY PEOPLE, WHOEVER S WA RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT - WOULD BE FINACG CHARGES." SHE SAYS THE HORSES ARE ON THE MEND - THESE WILD MUSTANGS ARE EXPERIENCING HUMAN CONTACT FOR THE FIRST TIME. "WE'RE BUDGETING HE ERTO TAKE CARE OF THESE 20 HORSES FOR THE NEXT YEAR, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A QUARTER AND A HALF-MILLION DOLLARS." "EVENTUALLY THESE HORS ES