KTKA

"The real crime to me is that it's really not a crime because the horses are livestock this is a misdemeanor charge," Julie Castaneda with Capital Area Animal Response Team said.

Castaneda works with United Animal Nations, and was called to a crisis in Tennessee after 20 horses were found dead on a farm, and 84 horses were found starved almost to death.

When she got the call to run the barn and volunteers efforts she thought it would be good experience, but said she didn't think about what the horses would look like. "To see 84 horses that are so starved that there body has already turned on itself. Knowing that who ever own them didn't ask for help, and didn't think there was anything wrong with what they were doing. That's a crime."

Photo Gallery

Horses mistreated in Tennessee

A local Topekan went to help with these mistreated Tennessee horses. The photos may be graphic to some.

If there is ever a crisis like this in Kansas, Castaneda's group would be called in to help rescue the animals. "In the event that I have to run something of that magnitude, like the horse rescue in Tennessee, I feel very confident that we will be able to pull that off here in Shawnee County."

Only one of the 84 horses the team rescued died. Castaneda said that's huge given the state of the horses. "There were bodies of horses on the property so we know that there were more than 84 horses we just didn't get there in time," Castaneda described.

She said even though it was a horrible tragedy, there were some positives things that came out like the 83 horses lives they saved, the experience and knowledge she learned to bring back to Kansas, and the awareness about abuse and neglect laws across the United States. "This type of neglect, this inhumane neglect is a misdemeanor and that should change."

Castaneda also runs the pet food pantry in Shawnee County. They give away free food to pet owners who can't afford to buy food for their animals. The next food giveaway is Saturday December 19 at 8 AM.