Adoptions on hold again

WALTERBORO -- The horses seized from a Bible camp after neighbors complained they were being abused are gradually finding new homes, but another legal challenge has put adoptions on hold again.

As of Friday, 19 of the 47 horses had been adopted, Colleton County Animal Control Director Tim Lynes said.

One of the animals had to be put down, he said. He's still hoping to find homes for the 27 remaining animals.

"We still need help, both with adoption and with feeding them," Lynes said.

He was preparing to move some of the stallions from the shelter to a ranch for gelding Friday when he got a notice that Eddy Ackerman, who runs the Bible camp, had filed another legal challenge. A judge will hear arguments Tuesday morning. Adoptions are on hold again until after the hearing.

"We will still continue to take applications," Lynes said. "I hope this is resolved Tuesday."

Animal control officers took the horses -- along with a dozen dogs and some chickens -- on May 5 from Gift Horse Bible Camp near Cottageville after reports they were being neglected and abused. Ackerman argued that some of the horses weren't eating because they were sick but that none was abused or neglected.

Magistrate Kenneth Campbell ruled in favor of the county in June. Ackerman appealed, and Circuit Judge Perry Buckner upheld Campbell's ruling.

Ackerman also faces a jury trial on 43 charges of animal cruelty. The maximum penalty for each offense is $500 and 60 days in jail. A date for that trial has not yet been set.

The county filed the animal cruelty charges to try to recoup some of the money spent nursing the horses back to health and feeding them, Lynes said. The county has spent more than $50,000 taking care of the horses.

The county has been caring for 14 stallions at the shelter on Poor Farm Road. The rest of the horses have been at J Bar Farms in Meggett, which is affiliated with the Livestock Equine Awareness and Rescue Network. The county has been paying all the bills, Lynes said.

People wanting to adopt horses have to demonstrate they are able to take care of them and pass a background check, Lynes said.

Reach Dave Munday at 937-5553 or dmunday@postandcourier.com.