Horse left outside in brutal conditions?

JEFFERSON, Ind. (WLFI) - Imagine standing outside, tied to a tree, rain or shine, sleet or snow, 24 hours a day, seven days a week  for two years.

According to Claude Bower, a horse in Jefferson does exactly that.

"I drive by here going to Frankfort two or three times a week and I got to watching the horse outside," said Bower. "Most of the time he doesn't have any food, standing in mud six to eight inches deep, and they never put it in at night."

The homeowner came outside and spoke with News 18, but refused to give us his name or an interview.

However, he said nothing is wrong with his girlfriend's horse, who he said is named Missy.

In fact, he said his girlfriend has had the horse for 14 years. According to the homeowner, Missy always has food and water, and he tells News 18, he puts her in the barn at night.

When News 18 asked to see inside the barn, he refused.

"I know he's not telling the truth, that's all I know," said Bower.

Missy's owner said he gets up to 20 phone calls a day from people he said harass him about the horse, and it looks like he's not the only one receiving the concerned phone calls.

"Our officers have been out to that location several times because people want us to check on that horse," said Clinton County Detective C aptain Curt Catron.

Catron said they are aware of the horse, and deputies have stopped out to the home to check on the condition of the horse, but found nothing wrong.

"I've talked to the officer," said Catron. "He's advised that the horse had water, it had food, it's just tied to a tree, and the horse appears to be in fine condition."

"I would like to see them either put it somewhere or give it to somebody to put it inside so it's treated right," said Bower.

It seems as if Bower may get his wish.

Catron said veterinarians with the State of Indiana will visit the home sometime in the next few days to make sure the horse is being taken care of properly.