Dead, neglected horses found at farm; Sumner man charged

A Sumner man faces animal neglect charges after authorities found 25 dead horses, and 25 others suffering from neglect, at a farm near Sumner this week.

Deputies were called to the farm at 15684 Y Avenue, just northeast of Sumner, on Monday on a livestock neglect report. Deputies found 25 dead horses at the property, along with 25 others that were still alive.

An Iowa State veterinarian was called to the scene to examine the surviving horses, and determined they were being neglected, according to a release from the Fayette County Sheriff's Office.

Lawrence Michael Daisy, 66, of Sumner, faces 25 counts of livestock neglect and duty to dispose of dead animals filed by the sheriff's office.

Officials also said Daisy was keeping animals at a rented property in Bremer County. Sumner police filed six separate charges of livestock neglect and duty to dispose of dead animals against Daisy.

Some of the surviving horses have already been removed from the farm, and others are in the process of being rescued by private organizations that are arranging for the animals' care.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has also been contacted to safely dispose of the dead horses, officials said.

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