Bonner County should do something to help horses

The story of Leon Atkinson and his animals has been a long and sad one for many of his neighbors on Baldy Mountain Road, Upland Drive and Pine Street Loop Road.

We have all watched with dismay as he has slowly starved and neglected these and the other animals he has had over the years.

Whether it is by ignorance or laziness, Leon just doesn't have the ability to care for his animals.

There have been many complaints by us to the sheriff's office, but Leon always screams that it is only racial prejudice and the county cringes knowing Leon will launch a costly lawsuit in retaliation.

Leon does sometimes buy feed for his horses, but he never feeds them enough, and often he leaves town and doesn't feed them for days and weeks at a time. He often leaves them to drink groundwater or leaves them tethered with no water at all.

One winter I saw the horses eat 12 sheets of particle board off of an outbuilding on Leon's property. One neighbor fed the horses over the fence, but Leon told her to mind her own business.

The horses often get loose and wander the neighborhood feeding in the yards and fields of neighbors. Sometimes they are loose for days at a time and do damage tearing up the grass around homes.

This man just shouldn't be an animal owner and I pray the county will finally do something.

SANDY WEISZ

Sandpoint