Faith Livestock Yard

South Dakota authorities announced the new auction location for horses seized from purported mustang sanctuary operator Karen Sussman. It comes after Philip Livestock Auction received threats making a change of venue to Faith Livestock Yard necessary.

Dewey County Sheriff Les Meyer said up to 650 horses from the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros (ISPMB) will go to auction on December 20. The new location is in Faith, 35 miles west of where the horses reside on Highway 212.

Authorities allowed Sussman to rehome up to 270 horses, while at last count, officials said about 200 horses left the property for new homes. The Sheriff states the auction horses vary in age and consist of stallions, mares, and foals. There are no geldings. The horses will go through the auction in small groups. All horses will have blood pulled for the necessary Coggins to travel across state lines prior to the sale. Horse advocates state they are concerned the flood of horses may land the animals in danger of being purchased for horse slaughter. Sheriff Meyer confirms no horses will remain with Sussman. If any of the auction horses end up back with Sussman, “we would again impound them,” he tells Rate My Horse PRO.

A state veterinarian determined Sussman neglected ISPMB’s horses after a former employee alleged horses died from starvation. A judge ordered Dewey and Ziebach County Sheriffs impound more than 810 horses from Sussman’s non-profit in October.

The counties purchased additional hay last week to keep the horses fed until the sale. Sussman is responsible for repaying the impound expenses. The sale will help the counties recoup any unpaid expenses.

The auction begins at 10 a.m. on December 20.

For more information contact Faith Livestock at 605-967-2200. The group is setting up an online broadcast and bidding, but registration is required.

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