Incident Date: Friday, Aug 20, 2010
County: Walton
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 5 files available
Alleged:
» Nicholas William Sconiers
» Jessica Sconiers
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
When Champ arrived at the animal refuge in Alaqua he had hit rock bottom and needed help to get back on his hooves.
The 2-year-old miniature horse was 170 pounds underweight when he was seized from his Freeport owners and brought to Laurie Hood, founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge. When Champ first arrived on Aug. 20, he couldn't stand up on his own. Once he was up, he barely had the strength to hold up what was left of him, weighing in at 80 pounds.
"He had sores all over from his bones rubbing against the ground," said Dave Henderson, the first veterinarian on the scene.
Henderson, who can usually be found working at Village Vet here in Destin, got the call from Hood around noon and made it out to Freeport to treat the malnourished mini by 2 p.m.
When he arrived in Freeport that Friday, he got right to work on the little guy, performing a slew of standard tests ruling out all possibilities that his extreme weight was from any problems within. Henderson found no real issues, which confirmed what the team felt was pretty clear from the start -- he was simply starving.
"As soon as we put food in front of him he starting munching down right away," said Henderson.
Determining whether or not the original owners will face criminal charges is still up in the air, but for Hood it's not the most important issue at hand.
"If it was intentional, then I hope there is punishment," she said. "But these cases get thrown out for so many different reasons… If anything, I just want to let people know what's going on so they can get mad too."
For now, Hood's main concern is getting Champ solidly back on his feet.
When The Log caught up with Hood and Champ last Wednesday, just about two weeks after his rescue, he was doing much better.
"I just can't believe he is walking around," said Walton County Animal Control Officer Joe Everett, who was also at the refuge last week.
Everett hadn't seen Champ since he first helped bring him to Hood. He said he couldn't believe the progress he's made.
Champ did a few circles around his pen while Hood gathered up some feed. She dumped it in his bowl and within seconds it was gone. She continued to share his story while letting him lick the food scoop from her hand. It's obvious he was still hungry, but it's important to feed him in tiny amounts.
"Horses can't control their appetites, and they will overeat and get belly aches causing a whole bunch more problems," said Henderson. "It's going to take about six months for him to gain all the weight he needs, averaging about 2-to-3 pounds per week."
Hood, who has helped many animals bounce back from near starvation, has seen the rewards first hand of nursing an animal back to life. Committed to help Champ's will to survive, she stayed with him the first four nights he arrived in the barn, feeding him every few hours.
"We brushed out his hair, and once he fills out a little more, his sheen will come back," she said.
With Champ gaining weight and strength everyday, Hood updates his status almost daily on the Alaqua Animal Refuge Facebook page.
To find out how to help the shelter, see www.aarflorida.com.
The man accused of abusing a miniature horse was arrested Thursday evening and charged with cruelty toward an animal.
Nicholas William Sconiers, 28, was picked up at his home in DeFuniak Springs and taken to Walton County Jail. He was released on $5,000 bond Friday morning after his first court appearance, according to a news release from the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Champ, Sconiers' 2-year-old miniature horse, was taken to Alaqua Animal Refuge on Aug. 20 after sheriff's deputies found him in a nearly bare pen on Sconier's property.
Champ weighed only 80 pounds when it should have weighed about 300 pounds, said Laurie Hood, Alaqua's owner.
The horse arrived at the animal refuge lying down, a sign of being near death. Every rib was showing and it had no strength to speak of, Hood said.
"He is the worst case I've ever seen," Hood said. "Usually, when they are as bad as he was, we euthanize the animal."
The Sheriff's Office initially tried to charge Sconiers in August with felony animal cruelty after a veterinarian determined Champ's condition was caused solely by lack of food. The state attorney's office prepared an arrest warrant, but Walton County Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells rejected it.
The Sheriff's Office submitted a second warrant that lowered the offense to a misdemeanor, but County Judge David Green refused to sign it.
The state attorney's office eventually filed the charge directly, based on a second veterinary investigation and animal health rating.
"It's not rare for us to file directly," said Assistant State Attorney Greg Anchors. "It's done typically when there's probable cause."
Anchors said the miniature horse was given a health rating of 1. A healthy horse would be rated a 6.
If convicted, Sconiers could be sentenced up to five years in prison.
The Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services investigated the case.
Sconiers' next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 16.
Meanwhile, Champ is "over the hump," said Hood.
"He's doing great," she said. "He's going to survive against all odds."
Hood said because of the horse's small size and because she was up for a challenge, she decided to look after Champ.
Hood said she had to feed him eight small meals a day. Overfeeding him would have stressed the horse's body and likely would have killed him.
"We slowly had to build back his strength," she said. "Now, his future is wonderful as far as his health is concerned."
Champ now runs around the animal refuge's property and is eating larger meals each day, Hood said.
The horse will not be put up for adoption until the court officially puts Champ in Alaqua's care, she added. If that happens, Hood said she will try to find him a good home.
"He's such a cute little horse," she said. "He's a hero to all of us."
The Sheriff's Office brought the underweight and emaciated horse to the Alaqua Animal Refuge in Freeport, where his health has greatly improved.
The court has dropped felony animal cruelty charges against Champ's owner, but some are worried he may be heading back to his old home.
It didn't take long for word to spread, as evidenced by the 220+ Facebook messages that poured-in.
"The judge has denied or rejected the warrant for the owners' arrest. There are no charges at this time. The judge has rejected those. If things stay the way they are now, then yes, the horse could be returned to his owner" says Camile Cox with the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities brought Champ to the Alaqua Animal Refuge last month suffering from severe starvation.
They say he was the likely victim of animal cruelty by his owners, DeFuniak Springs residents Nicholas and Jessica Sconiers.
Jessica Sconiers also happens to work at the courthouse.
Using bloodwork results, a vet assessed Champ's health and determined his emaciated state was not due to a medical condition.
But in a court of law, the difference between animal cruelty felony charges and misdemeanor charges is based on intent.
Because the Sconiers' had three other rather healthy horses at their home at the time, the intentional infliction associated with a felony may be seen as a denial/neglect case, making it more suitable as a misdemeanor.
However, Greg Anchors with the State Attorney's Office believed they had enough evidence to prosecute the case as a felony.
"We felt like the appropriate charge had been sent, but also felt that the statutes were very close and overlapped and we could certainly understand why the court felt like we should re-submit it as a misdemeanor".
The Sheriff's Office is currently in the process of re-submitting the lesser charge.
Champ's supporters are hoping that will keep the Sconiers' from taking him back.
"We just hope the judge will re-evaulate the evidence and take a second look, because we do believe there was enough evidence to bring charges" says Laurie Hood, founder of the Alaqua Animal Refuge.
Hood says Champ is doing much better and is now able to eat, drink, and stand on his own.
When a Walton County judge rejected a request for a warrant to bring charges of animal abuse against a Walton County man for allegedly starving a mini-horse, the community was up in arms.
A cry of protest rang out from users of Facebook and through e-mail Wednesday after Alaqua Animal Refuge called on its more than 7,000 followers to "be the voice for this animal -- his life depends on it."
To see a photo gallery of the animal at Alaqua, click here.
"We're requesting the judge review the evidence again," said Alaqua owner Laurie Hood, "but I don't know if he will. Since no charges are being brought against the owner, there is the chance he could come to claim him."
When reached for comment, County Judge David Green said rules and guidelines prohibit him from discussing or commenting on a case before him.
"I can say, though, that we look at the whole picture and we have to do what is right instead of what is popular," said Green Wednesday afternoon.
However, according to Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson, the evidence was strong enough that he and State Attorney Greg Anchors had asked for a felony warrant against the horse's owner.
The request was denied and Adkinson and Anchors resubmitted, requesting a misdemeanor warrant, which was denied on Wednesday.
"Historically, I know that animal abuse cases are hard to prosecute, but we felt we had a strong enough case or we wouldn't have asked for it," Adkinson told The Sun.
Atkinson said the judge gave him no reason for the denial.
"I suspect it has to do with the way the laws are written," said Adkinson.
But many in the community said it was a clear case of injustice. They maintain that the horse owner's spouse is a county employee, and was given special treatment.
For his part, Anchors told The Sun "I understand" the wife works for the county.
Green, however, said he wasn't aware of such a relationship and even if one exists, he would not give them special consideration.
The horse in question was taken to Alaqua Animal Refuge by animal control on Aug. 20 so badly malnourished that it weighed 80 pounds and could not stand. According to a vet at the center, he should have weighed between 250 and 300 pounds. He was found lying in dirt with no food or water.
Blood was drawn for testing to check for disease. Tests showed his liver and kidneys were fine and that he was only malnourished.
Hood slept in the barn with the horse she named Champ for the first few nights so that she could feed him every two hours.
"He was so weak that when he tried to stand, he would fall," said Hood.
As of Wednesday, the miniature horse had gained 20 pounds and could again run and frolick outside.
While residents, online and in person call for action, Adkinson said there is no next step since the judge has rejected two requests for a warrant.
"I just would like to see Champ's future as it should be," said Hood. "It's an emotional thing for me."
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