Man surrenders animals to Humane Society
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Marie Kemp and DeeDee Golberg wait for horses to leave their trailer after rescuing them. Golberg of Spirit Horse Equine Rescue and Education Center led the operation.
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More than 60 horses, llamas and goats were rescued Saturday from a farm in Lima Township. The animals were owned by Harlan Norby. He agreed to turn over the animals, saying that at age 69 he was no longer able to take care of them. 'I'm doing what I felt was best for the animals and best for me,' Norby said.
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Horses slowly make their way out of a trailer after they were rescued from a difficult situation. Harlan Norby owned the animals, but the original six animals became more than 60 and at the age of 69, Norby could not adequately care for them.
LIMA TOWNSHIP — When Harlan Norby bought a couple horses, llamas and goats two decades ago, he did not intend to have the herd grow so large he could no longer care for it.
But six animals became more than 60. And the 69-year-old man has aged and no longer has the time or strength to train them.
Once the animals began escaping, causing neighbors to complain to law enforcement seven times, Norby decided to surrender most of his herd to the Rock County Humane Society.
Many of the horses were taken to a temporary home Saturday, but the horses, llamas and goats still need to be adopted.
"I love animals. I just enjoy having them, but it got to be too much," he said. "I'm doing what I felt was best for the animals and best for me.
"It's pretty heartbreaking," he said. "I'd like to see them go to good homes, someone who can take care of them and train them."
It was not a case of neglect, the Humane Society decided. Norby just couldn't handle the number of animals he owned.
It will take a few weeks to find homes for all the llamas and goats, but some of the horses were picked up Saturday.
The Spirit Horse Equine Rescue and Education Center gathered nine horses from Norby's farm and took them to a foster home west of Janesville. About 20 more horses will be picked up later.
Many of the horses need hoof care, dental work, vaccinations and neutering, said DeeDee Golberg of Spirit Horse. The rescue organization will spend about $10,000 on health care and food.
"They're going to need mental, emotional and physical rehabilitation," Golberg said.
When the horses arrived at their temporary home, they walked off two trailers and quickly began eating grass in the pasture. An electric fence kept them in pens.
"Once they're trained and healthy, we'll put them up for adoption," said Wendy Becker of Spirit Horse. "Most of this whole group from this farm hasn't had much human contact."
The process of Norby surrendering his animals began when a deputy went to Norby's home on North Vickerman Road in Lima Township on Tuesday, Sept. 16, for a report of a loose llama in the neighbor's barn, according to Rock County Sheriff's Department.
A neighbor told the deputy Norby's llamas and horses routinely escape and run wild, according to sheriff's reports. The neighbor said one llama had gone in her horse barn and would not leave.
When Norby arrived, he told the deputy he could not move the llama because he is too old and unable to control his animals, according to sheriff's reports.
But he couldn't find anyone who wanted them.
He admitted to a deputy that his herd had grown out of control, according to sheriff's reports.
The deputy called the Humane Society to have the animals checked.
James Hurley of the Humane Society went to Norby's farm and inspected the animals, according to sheriff's reports.
About 30 horses, 22 llamas, 18 goats, ducks and chickens were on the property, according to sheriff's reports.
The animals were well fed with hay, but they lacked clean water.
And the fence around the pasture was in disrepair, according to sheriff's reports.
Hurley and Norby agreed that it was best for the horses, llamas and goats to be turned over to the Humane Society.
On Saturday, Cindy Johns was volunteering to help Spirit Horse get the horses from Norby's farm to their foster home. She loves horses, but doesn't own them anymore.
"It's my way of getting next to them again," Johns said. "They're wonderful animals."
Later in the afternoon, Norby expressed no regret after seeing his horses get taken away form his property.
"It's the best thing for the good of the animals," he said. "I'm almost 70 years old."
Oct 6, 2008 at 10:28 a.m.
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Large animal shelters are desperately needed in our area. Do all you can to support the efforts of those who need our help. Love your fellow man and animal. Peace :)
Sep 29, 2008 at 11:16 p.m.
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Harlan, I met you years ago and had the pleasure of visiting your farm. There I saw all the care and love you lavished on your animals from the tiniest of kittens to the llamas. You have set yet another good example for your former students and for the community by having the intelligence to realize your limitations and the compassion to give your animals a chance at a good life in a new home. Well done.
Sep 29, 2008 at 8:34 a.m.
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A very unselfish decision by Mr. Norby. Well done! You are still teaching all of us important lessons!
Sep 29, 2008 at 5:57 a.m.
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Yes, Gabby, it is very rare that you find all good comments here for an article. I think that society has heard way too many stories of people that have all kinds of pets and can't/don't care for them. So, when we hear a story of someone that is able to recognize what is best for the animals, we are able to determine that the person is the exception and should be commended for that.
Giving up an animal is like giving up a child. I am also glad that those that have read this and comment can identify the grieving process that is occurring in this situation.
Sep 29, 2008 at 2:41 a.m.
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Mr. Norby - I too was a student of yours well over twenty years ago now and can only echo chp16a95's comment. I am glad everything worked out for the best; I'm sure you're a bit heartbroken right now.
Sep 29, 2008 at 1:02 a.m.
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....I hope that the "adopted" parents of Mr. Norby's animals let him get a chance to come see ALL of them! :)
Sep 28, 2008 at 11:58 p.m.
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I think it's wonderful Mr Norby recognized what would be better for the animals. He must be heart broken.
Sep 28, 2008 at 10:45 p.m.
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I'm very happy to see all nice comments on here. It's not too often these comment blogs keep going on this nice.
Sep 28, 2008 at 8:11 p.m.
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i talked with someone who helped with the goats friday... "all very nice animal" the is an example of everything done right! kudos to everyone!
Sep 28, 2008 at 3:51 p.m.
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God bless Mr. Norby for showing his love for his animals and the need to properly provide for them by giving them up. By no means was it easy to give up your 'children!'
God bless you every day!
Sep 28, 2008 at 3:50 p.m.
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Year ago (MANY years ago) I showed Mr. Norby's goats at the Rock County Fair. This man has a heart of gold and cared so much about these animals. I bet it just broke him to admit that he couldn't handle them. I know that many had suggested prior that it might be time to sell some- they just sort of got out of control on him, I MUST state that all animals were ALWAYS taken care of very well, food and water plentiful, above average facilities... Glad this had a very happy ending! :-)
Sep 28, 2008 at 3:18 p.m.
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I feel so bad for this man. I know how hard it is to give up animals you love. They are part of your family. I know that the humane society will find good homes for them, it's what they do. (as I have a cat climbing all over me trying to type)
Sep 28, 2008 at 2:08 p.m.
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I know it was extremely hard for Mr. Norby to part with his animals. His animals are his passion. He always made their well being his #1 priority. I'm glad to see he realized he could no longer give them the care and attention they needed. I hope all of his animals find a good home and have someone love them as much as he did.
Sep 28, 2008 at 1:48 p.m.
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This is a responsible example of why the Humane Society is so important and is needed in our communities. Mr. Norby made a hard decision to give up his love of animals and give them a better life. Thank goodness this isn't a story written about action taken too late. Many people could learn from this example.
Sep 28, 2008 at 12:48 p.m.
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I was going to write something disparaging about the man, but after reading the comments, I decided it was a good thing that he admitted he couldn't care for them. I just wonder whether he could have done something sooner to prevent the problem from getting so out of hand.
Sep 28, 2008 at 11:13 a.m.
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I'm so happy he realized himself that he could no longer care for the animals. So many people just leave them with no water and food. And just let them starve to death. I'm very happy he did the right thing. I'm also happy that the humane society isn't charging him with anything because he was doing the right thing.
Sep 28, 2008 at 10:50 a.m.
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Mr. Norby- I had the pleasure of knowing when I was a student of yours. You had always said to do the right thing. I'm glad to see that you are still a man of your word. I'm sorry to see that you had to give up your animals. We know that they are your lifes blood, but at least they will be well cared for. Take care and the best to you. It's not your fault that we age. I'm sure that you did the best that you could!
Sep 28, 2008 at 7:41 a.m.
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Way to go Harlan, now you can spend some real time hunting and fishing instead of taking care of all those animals all the time like you did for so many years!!!! I'm so glad he finally did this!!!
Sep 28, 2008 at 1:13 a.m.
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Mr. Norby, I am sorry you had to give up the animals. I have no doubt that you loved them. God bless you.
Sep 28, 2008 at 12:19 a.m.
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I hope they all get good homes. I'm sorry that this man had to give up animals I'm sure he loves, but glad that he realized it was for the best.
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