When reporting concerns about a horse’s welfare, there are several key authorities you can reach out to, depending on the situation:

ACO (Animal Control Officer)

Your local ACO is often the first point of contact for animal welfare cases. They have the authority to investigate complaints, assess the condition of the horse, and take action if necessary, including issuing warnings or seizing animals in severe cases.

When to call: An ACO is typically responsible for animal welfare and the enforcement of animal cruelty laws. If you suspect that a horse is being neglected, abused, or is in distress due to improper care, you should contact your local ACO.

Your ACO is also a great resource – perhaps the horse owner just needs some help, guidance, or assistance; the ACO would be able to help direct them to better care for their equine.

Examples of situations where it would be best to contact the ACO:

• Horses without adequate food, water, or shelter.
• Horses being mistreated or handled inappropriately.
• In cases of hoarding or overpopulation of horses.
• Injured or sick horses in need of immediate attention but no apparent owners or ongoing care.
• In the case of a stray horse, or horse(s) at-large (loose).

State Veterinarian

If neglect involves potential violations of state animal welfare laws, the State Veterinarian’s office may be involved. They oversee livestock health and welfare regulations and can provide expertise on whether a horse’s condition meets legal intervention thresholds.

When to call: A state veterinarian focuses on the health, safety, and welfare of animals at the state level, often concerning diseases or issues that could affect livestock or public health.

Examples of situations where you should contact the State Veterinarian:

• Outbreaks of contagious or reportable diseases (like equine influenza or EHV-1).
• If there are concerns about biosecurity – if a facility is housing sick horses in unsafe conditions where the disease could spread to other animals, this could warrant state intervention.
• Any concerns about the public health risks posed by a horse, especially if there are reports of zoonotic diseases (diseases that can transfer between animals and humans, such as Rabies or West Nile Virus).
• The situation involves large-scale neglect – if multiple horses are suffering in poor conditions, the State Vet may be involved in evaluating the herd’s welfare and coordinating care with law enforcement or rescues.

Board of Health

In some cases, a neglected horse may also be living in unsanitary conditions that pose a public health risk. The local Board of Health can step in when concerns involve improper waste management, hazardous environments, or public safety issues related to animal care. These issues can include disease outbreaks that could affect humans, the environment, or communities.

When to call: If your concern about a horse may pose a public health risk or relates to environmental health, you should reach out to the Board of Health.

Examples of situations:

• If a horse has been exposed to or is suspected of carrying a disease that can affect humans (such as rabies).
• Concerns about horses living in unhealthy conditions that may affect the broader community (such as manure accumulation or water contamination).
• Issues of insect control (such as flies that are potentially carrying diseases from the horse).