There is some guarded optimism in the recent case of animal neglect out of Iron County. Authorities in Enoch City were contacted by a concerned citizen regarding a mare and her colt. Responding officers found the pair very near death from starvation and exposure.
Police Chief Jackson Ames said the colt was actually frozen to the ground in the corral when they found the animals.
"When we initially took the horse down there, the veterinarian gave the horse about a 15-20 percent chance of survival. Right now, they're a lot more optimistic," Ames said.
The horses are being cared for at the Dust Devil Ranch Horse Sanctuary, west of Cedar City, which cares for abused and neglected horses from throughout the western U.S.