Local Law Enforcement Agencies:

Potter County Sheriff’s Office—806-379-2900
Randall County Sheriff’s Office—806-468-5800
Oldham County Sheriff’s Office—806-267-2667
Deaf Smith County Sheriff’s Office—806-364-2311
Parmer County Sheriff’s Office—806-481-3303
Castro County Sheriff’s Office—806-647-3311
Swisher County Sheriff’s Office—806-995-3326
Armstrong County Sheriff’s Office—806-553-6933
Carson County Sheriff’s Office—806-537-3511
Gray County Sheriff’s Office—806-669-8022

Reporting Abuse

To report abuse call your local sheriff's office.

As a rescue organization, Dove Creek Equine Rescue does not have legal authority to confiscate anyone’s horses or visit private property to assess a horse. However, we are eager and available to assist Animal Control officers and Deputies in charge of animal cruelty should they need to remove a horse from someone’s property.

A horse in poor condition may look emaciated with protruding ribs and hip bones. Its hooves may be overgrown causing mobility issues, or there may be no place for the horse to get relief from the sun, wind, rain, and snow. In the state of Texas, horse owners are required to provide their animals with sufficient food, water, hoof care, and shelter; this can be in the form of trees or other natural protection (not necessarily a man-made enclosure).

If you see a horse in poor condition, especially if you notice that it has been in declining health over time, the best course of action is to call Animal Control or the Sheriff’s Department of the county in which the horse is living.

Give the authorities the exact street address and a brief description of what you saw – pay special attention to details regarding body and hoof condition. Stay on track and state the facts. Very Important - Never confront the horse owner directly and only take photos if you can do so from a safe distance.

Note to Law Enforcement

We encourage our local law enforcement agencies to contact us for help in any area of animal abuse enforcement. We will provide forms, advice, transportation, documentation, whatever you need to help enforce the laws. We also provide scheduled basic horse handling training classes for any law enforcement agency wanting to learn to better help with their duties.
Through our network we can provide personnel to help you manage any situation. If we can’t provide the answers, we will find those who can.

Please call Laurie Higgins-Kerley at 1-877-322-5622 Ext. 101 or email her to schedule a training session for your deputies and animal control officers, if you have any questions, or need assistance.