Eight starving horses were wasting away in a field while their owner consistently failed to provide food, water or basic veterinary care.

I recently read about an unspeakable tragedy that was just narrowly averted because of the courageous action of just one person.

Eight starving horses were wasting away in a field while their owner consistently failed to provide food, water or basic veterinary care. The horses ate bark off trees in a desperate attempt to stave off their hunger but it wasn't enough — they were slowly dying. Thankfully, a neighbor saw the horses suffering and decided she couldn't look the other way. She called the local veterinarian and that set the wheels in motion for a rescue operation to save the horses. Unfortunately, the rescue came too late for one, but the survivors are now thriving in their new environment.

It is disturbing and even heartbreaking when you witness an act of animal cruelty, but each of us has the power to put a stop to it. Any time you suspect animal abuse, your first call should be to your local humane society, animal control, or the police. Get them out there to investigate. Whether it is a neighbor's pet being treated cruelly, cats and dogs at a local pet store, or animals at a breeder's facility being kept in filthy, crowded conditions, it is animal abuse, it's against the law.

I urge citizens of this community to join with me and speak out against animal abuse wherever and whenever they see it. Innocent animals are depending on us to be their voice. Ultimately, do something.