Jennifer Gluege has her work cut out for herself. She has taken in a neglected horse to nurse it back to health. Gluege, from Myrtle Point, took possession Wednesday afternoon of the 2-year-old she has named Hope. Hope is suffering from starvation and infections. - World Photo by Lou Sennick

A Coos Bay woman has taken ownership of a 2-year-old filly whose mother and sibling recently died in Lakeside due, officials say, to neglect.

According to a Coos County Sheriff’s Office press release, at about 11:35 a.m. Sunday, an animal control officer responded to an anonymous tip that three horses weren’t being properly cared for on property near Windsong Lane in Lakeside.

Upon arrival, the officer found two dead horses, and a third that was extremely emaciated. Evidence suggests the animals were not properly fed nor sheltered.

The one surviving horse has been adopted by Christi McDonough, who has taken her to Family Four Stables near the intersection of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 42.

The horse, a brown animal with a gray star on her forehead, was a little tentative on her feet as she arrived at her new home Wednesday.

“She’s wobbly because of the weight loss,” said Jennifer Gluege, McDonough’s daughter.

Named Hope, the filly’s brown hair is falling out along her back due to rain rot infection, McDonough said. Her hocks cause Hope pain, Gluege said, as they slip in and out of the joint as a result of lost muscle on her hind legs.

“The body started eating muscle mass to survive,” said McDonough, about the good-natured animal. “She’s really loving for what she went through.”

Before arriving at her new home, Hope was taken to Myrtle Point, where she stayed with Gluege for several days. She was in such a great need of nutrition that she had to be fed handfuls of hay every hour throughout the first night, Gluege said.

She was treated at Myrtle Veterinary Hospital by Dr. Joe Snyder. Although he was unsure if her bone growth would be affected, Snyder said Hope should have close to a complete recovery.

“She’s a tough little girl,” he said. “There is a very good chance that she will be fine.”

The owner of the horses, a Lakeside woman, has been contacted by the Sheriff’s Office, but no citations or arrests have been made, the press release said. The investigation is continuing by Coos County Animal Control and the case will be forwarded to the Coos County District Attorney’s Office for consideration.

Snyder said Hope’s story is rare, though not as much as he would like.

“This is unusual but not that unusual. There are more cases that happen that never get brought to light,” he said. “There are more than one person who out of ignorance or conscious negligence treat animals like this and they need to be reported so more animals don’t suffer.”