Complaints of a deceased horse in Nicholson have led to an investigation by Pearl River County Animal Control.
Animal Control Officer Danny Joe Slade said he received a call over the weekend in reference to the animal, which had been abandoned near a residential property line since Friday.
As of Monday afternoon, Slade said the owner, who was out of town during the weekend, moved it to a barn away from other residents.
While inspecting the property, Slade said he noticed about six other horses that were in “questionable condition.”
Slade said he gave the owner 10 days to ensure the animals are healthy before he returns to conduct another inspection.
County representatives have had to remove animals from the same property in the past that were not being cared for, Slade said.
Slade said he is working with the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors to determine the county’s role in such cases and how state laws concerning the disposal of animal carcasses can be better enforced, or if the county can strengthen ordinances to give animal control more authority.
In a rural county like Pearl River, some people don’t want to make the effort to bury their deceased animals, he said.
The county doesn’t have enough manpower, time or resources to dispose of all deceased animals, Slade said.
According to the Mississippi Board of Animal Health website, “Carcass(es) must be buried at a depth sufficient to prevent offensive odors, fly breeding, and unearthing by other animals, and shall be covered under at least two (2) feet of compacted earth and after each settles, more earth shall be placed over surface to prevent ponding”
The MBAH website states that deceased animals shall be buried at least 150 feet from adjoining property and at least 300 feet from a home.
“All carcasses shall be buried before the end of the work day unless weather or environmental conditions absolutely prohibit,” according to the department’s website.