Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A severely malnourished horse seized in Jefferson County is making what veterinarians describe as a “remarkable turnaround,” while a judge says he strongly recommends criminal charges in connection with the case.
Malibu, now called Poppy by the people caring for her, weighed just 618 pounds when she arrived at Equine Medicine and Surgery. Veterinarians said she should weigh closer to 1,000 pounds. She has since gained nearly 90 pounds, but doctors say her nutrition must be restored gradually.
The horse's owners waived their right to a custody hearing and appeal Thursday. Justice of the Peace Ben Collins Sr. awarded custody to Beaumont Animal Control, and officials say Poppy can eventually be placed for adoption or transferred to a rescue.
Collins said another horse, Butter-Cup, was found in even worse condition and died of starvation while in the owners' possession. The judge described the case as one of the worst he has seen and told the owners he “strongly recommend[s] criminal charges be filed.”
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KFDM is a TX based station and CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. KBTV is a TX based station and Fox Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates.
#AnimalRescue #HorseRescue #BeaumontTX #JeffersonCounty #AnimalCruelty #AnimalWelfare #Horse #BeaumontAnimalControl #RescueHorse #TexasNews #Court #SoutheastTexas #KFDM #Animals #Accountability #kfdm #kfdmnews #beaumont #beaumontnews #KFDM #KFDMNews #localnews #breakingnews
A severely malnourished horse seized in Jefferson County is making what veterinarians describe as a “remarkable turnaround,” while a judge says he strongly recommends criminal charges in connection with the case.
Malibu, now called Poppy by the people caring for her, weighed just 618 pounds when she arrived at Equine Medicine and Surgery. Veterinarians said she should weigh closer to 1,000 pounds. She has since gained nearly 90 pounds, but doctors say her nutrition must be restored gradually.
The horse's owners waived their right to a custody hearing and appeal Thursday. Justice of the Peace Ben Collins Sr. awarded custody to Beaumont Animal Control, and officials say Poppy can eventually be placed for adoption or transferred to a rescue.
Collins said another horse, Butter-Cup, was found in even worse condition and died of starvation while in the owners' possession. The judge described the case as one of the worst he has seen and told the owners he “strongly recommend[s] criminal charges be filed.”
_______________
Follow KFDM on social media:
KFDM on Facebook: facebook.com/KFDMNews
KFDM on Twitter: twitter.com/kfdmnews
Subscribe to KFDM on YouTube: youtube.com/@newsonkfdm/featured
For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit kfdm.com
Watch our live newscasts and other live video at kfdm.com/watch
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@kfdm.com
Call the Newsroom: 409.892.6622
KFDM is a TX based station and CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. KBTV is a TX based station and Fox Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. Sinclair owns and operates, programs or provides sales services to 163 television stations in 77 markets, after pending transactions. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 38.7% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates.
#AnimalRescue #HorseRescue #BeaumontTX #JeffersonCounty #AnimalCruelty #AnimalWelfare #Horse #BeaumontAnimalControl #RescueHorse #TexasNews #Court #SoutheastTexas #KFDM #Animals #Accountability #kfdm #kfdmnews #beaumont #beaumontnews #KFDM #KFDMNews #localnews #breakingnews
