Investigators return to site of allegedly abused horses

COLUMBUS COUNTY -- More than eight months ago Columbus County Animal Cruelty investigators confiscated eight horses after finding signs of neglect and abuse. A couple of weeks ago investigators had to return the horses to their owner. The case was dismissed because a county official made a mistake writing the warrant to confiscate the horses. Now those who watched the horses be nurtured back to health are trying to make sure a mistake like this does not happen again. Elizabeth Kramer and her daughter Maddie fell in love with a pony named Tempo as they watched him be nursed back to health at the stable where they ride. They remember how Tempo looked when he first came to the stable. They say he was starving and you could see his ribs, spine and hip bones. To protect Tempo Elizabeth offered to buy him, but the owners -- Terry and Anita Hewett -- would not sell. Now Elizabeth is taking it a step farther, by going to county officials to get answers, hoping to ensure the health of other animals. "I've been trying to get in touch with the county attorney to see if anything can be done from this point forward, do we have any other course of action, is there any money available for the people who boarded these horses?" Elizabeth said. "I keep getting rescheduled, rescheduled, rescheduled. I hope to have an appointment next week but this is kind of the way it is, it doesn't seem to be a priority to anyone." The owners say they have never neglected their horses, the animals were just sick. And as for getting answers from county officials on making sure no more mistakes are made on warrants NewsChannel 3 has called the district attorney's office, the assistant DA., the Columbus County attorney and the a magistrate -- each time being re-directed or told someone would call back. That was over six hours ago and we've yet to hear anything.