GRAFTON TWP. — The starving mare and steer calf rescued Wednesday from a barn containing dead animals were able to stand and eat on their own Thursday with a little coaxing.

Both animals were extremely dehydrated and hungry, according to caretakers.

Watch video of the animals’ rescue.

The mare drank 25 to 30 gallons of water and has been eating sweet hay and grazing a little bit, said Greg Willey, executive director of Friendship Animal Protective League.

“She’s very happy — she’s still wobbling,” he said.

Meanwhile, the calf also was severely dehydrated and was taking in water and nourishment, rescuer Bob Slagle said.
Slagle spent much of Wednesday night giving the calf water from a bottle and giving it feed. A young boy who is helping to care for the calf named him Henry.

Thanks to a suggestion from some 4-H volunteers, the mare also has a name — Reba —for Reba McEntire and her song, “I’m a Survivor,” said animal rescuer Cheryl Rourke.

“She’s doing great — she’s got good light in her eyes, and she’s coming up and rubbing against me,” Rourke said. “I always say you can see the soul in their eyes.”

Meanwhile, Willey said the APL is trying to unravel who might be responsible for the animal deaths and abuse. Another horse was found dead in the barn at 18900 state Route 83 along with a duck and a decomposed goat.

Rescuers from the APL asked Lorain County Sheriff deputies to accompany them onto the property for the rescue after leaving a notice there on Monday that it had received a complaint.

The property is owned by Jimmie R. and Charlene Santee, according to county property records. Jimmie Santee registered in 1998 with the Ohio secretary of state as an ordained minister, listing Family of God Baptist Church as his ministry.

The Santees were unavailable for comment, and no one responded to a note left at the property by The Chronicle-Telegram.

Willey said a man working on the home told Denise Willis, the APL’s humane officer that someone else was leasing the barn, and he was unaware of the condition of the animals.

Willis said someone removed a St. Bernard dog from the residence following the removal of the animals from the barn.
Charlene Santee registered a St. Bernard for a license at that address in 2006, and a Laura Santee obtained a dog license for a St. Bernard in 2007, according to county records.

Willis said she doesn’t know how long the animals were without water or food. She said someone — perhaps a worried neighbor — apparently brought water to the animals at some point.

She declined to speculate on why someone working on the home would not check the welfare of animals located less than 100 feet away.

“Personally, I would have if I had any suspicions,” she said.

Willis recalled an earlier investigation in which a starving dog with a collar embedded in its neck was left chained outside in 90 degree weather dug a deep hole to try to get out of the sun.

“How can you sit at your table every morning drinking your coffee knowing an animal is out there starving?” she asked.
Meanwhile, Willey said anyone who wants to donate money or feed for Reba, Henry or a turkey removed from the barn can contact the APL. He said the nonprofit agency has received many calls and donations for the animals, and a turkey rescue group has offered to take the bird. The animals will not be available for adoption for some time, he said.

“It’s been wonderful — the outpouring of food and love and people offering to take care of these animals,” Willey said.

Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.

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