I'm sorry but horse feed is cheaper than dog food and there is NO excuse not to feed horses. To let them starve like that is just plain sick! If you can't afford to feed animals, give them away or sell them to someone else who can. What's the big deal about having to have a horse in the first place? And to starve the babies to death is just another reason why this person should NOT ever have any other animals in her care. Please don't let these horses die in vain.

This sould be felony what these people did is criminal and should be punish to the full extent of the law.

People need to take responsibility for their neglect. The horses cannot speak for themselves, so caring people need to stand up and make sure Tonka and others like him are counted.

Good news bulletin. Hope all involved pull the time they deserve.

I find it extremely difficult to believe that these women had no idea these animals were being starved. One look aat them should have been a clue that they were completely malnourished. They should be punished to the full extent of the law. Someone has to take a stand for these defenseless animals and give them a voice. I am so thankful that the two remaining mares have found their way to a wonderful rescue and have a bright future.

ALL of the people responsible for this tragedy need to be brought to justice. Until our laws serve to protect innocent animals this will happen over and over again. No slap on the wrist!! They need to prosecuted to the fullest extent of the inadequate current law.

Thank you for shedding light on an important issue that deserves attention. Animal neglect and abuse should never be tolerated. Innocent animals died excruciating deaths because heartless individuals stood by and did nothing. It is inexcusable and we need to make an example of these people. Animal abuse will not be tolerated.!

Knish should be held responsible for the condition of those horses! She was given money by the owners to care for those horses. Why wasn't it done? The finger also needs to be pointed at the owners who obviously didn't check on their horses for an axtended period of time. It's a horrible situation that happens way too often in our country. Something needs to happen. A message needs to be sent; and let it begin with the Knishs.

The Knishs, Todd Williams and Rachael Yonish are all responsible for the horrific abuse and cruelty that these horses endured and that ultimately killed 3 of them. If someone leaves an animal on your property, the very least you can do is to check and see if said animal(s) have food and water, and if not, it is up to you to supply these basics. Mr. Williams reputation as an animal abuser is widely known, but the rest of these people are no better. Everyone blames someone else while animals suffer and die. It is time to prosecute animal abusers to the fullest extent of the law and to sentence them to jail time. No animal should have to endure what these horses did. Let's send a message to those who abuse animals that this will not be tolerated and that their actions will have harsh consequences.

There doesn't need to be a plea deal for this woman who needs to be held accountable for her actions. She could have contacted any number of rescues, sheriff, ASPCA or simply gone to Channel 20 for help. SOMEONE would have helped her! Instead she turned a blind eye to these poor horses and their suffering and they died as a result. People need to be held accountable for their cruel treatment of animals. The way a person treats a helpless animal is an indication of how poorly they will also treat their fellow human beings. She needs jail time, fines and community service to pay for the damage she has done to the community and the horses she helped starve to death. And then she has the gaul to charge money so someone can rescue those poor animals, that is criminal and ought to be a felony since these were registered stock. This behaviour needs to be stopped now, our children's safety and futures are at stake.

How could she stand there and say she's innocent when one of the horses that was starving was owned by her and her mother. To watch those horses and starving eating the fence and no water. What happened to the $300.00 that Todd Williams supposedly giving them for food? The horses weren't benifiting from the money. This is just beyond comprehension three innocent lives were lost due to starvation. Justice should be served to maxiumm punishment. In my opinion the charges should be a felony according to Flordia Statutes 828.12 and 828.125 and not a misdemeanor.
I pray that justice will be served in the memory of Tonka, Brook's Approval and her stillborn foal.

Krystal Knish needs to accept her part in this horrible story. The Knishes should have reported their tenants as soon as they saw the starving horses instead of agreeing to care for them as Todd Williams says.
Todd Williams and Rachael Yonish should also be charged with animal cruelty. I cannot understand why Todd Williams and Rachael Yonish have not been charged. This was a clear case of neglect,cruelty and abuse.

The article says: "The Knishs say they agreed to allow their tenant, Rachael Yonish, to keep horses that belonged to her and Todd Williams on their land, but they say they gave them food and water."

Response: If food and water were being given to the horses then why did the Knish's call Animal Control "After being called by the Knishs to the property, Animal Control said the horses were in poor condition. Two horses died and were buried on the property?" And, why did the Knish's allow the horses to be buried on their property if they weren't responsible for them?

Comment: "The Knishs say they're not the ones to blame for the condition of the horses. They say the owner left them in a fenced-off area and when they came home, they found the wood completely gnawed at the fence because the horses were being starved."

Response: the horses were left in a fenced-off area....this was on the Knish's property so they don't make sure the horses are being taken care of? Huh?

They are all to blame for the deaths of Brook's Approval, the stillbirth and Dingolay's foal, Tonka. They are all to blame for starving Dingolay, Sienna Rachel, pregnant Brook's Approval that sure was responsible for the stillbirth, and baby Tonka who died a horrible death of starvation.

They need to be charged as felons, every single one of them. There is no excuse for starving horses. They are your responsibiility. Why didn't the Knish's feed the horses? Why didn't all of them check up on the horses to make sure they were cared for? This is flagrant abuse and neglect and every person involved including the Knish's need to pay for abusing these horses.

Thank goodness for Beauty's Haven for all they tried to do to save Tonka and for rescuing the two surviving mares. Starvation is the worst way to die. More should have been done to prevent this, by all parties involved, but no action was taken until it was too late for three innocent horses. At least two of the starved horses will be shown love and given proper care for the rest of their days thanks to the wonderful people at Beauty's Haven.

As far as her saying she feed these horses, that is a complete lie as you can see from the pics and conditions of the horses..Animal Control said the horses were on that property for a month, she says 1 week...who is telling the truth? The other people involved should be arrested and charged also..as I hope they are doing now...Animal abuse has to stop and I hope Florida takes a stong stand against it as is Texas...

How could anyone see horses starving and not do something? That's a sin of omission if I ever heard of one. I hope the authorities recognize that this person's lack of action resulted in suffering and death of innocent creatures dependent on humans for their very lives. To the authorities: please invoke Florida's statutes regarding death of registered animals and prosecute everyone involved to the full extent possible!

Why would anybody believe a word Todd Williams has to say. Furthermore I would like to know how you keep 3 mares, 2 of which were pregnant, well cared for on 300.00 a month? I have one and it costs more than that without boarding fees. He needs to be held accountable as well for the animals he is proven to have owned. What a creep this guy is to have made the rescue that was there to help them PAY for the animals he was starving. He is still awaiting sentencing in Columbia County for dog fighting as well. If you are going to own horses or any animal it is your responsibility to make sure they are cared for. Typical excuses from sorry people. They ALL need to answer for this.

The news reporter said the animals were in such "poor" condition. The word "poor" doesn't even come close to the condition these animals were in. They were in horrendous condition with death imminent in hours. How this woman could drive by every day and watch these animals STARVE and knowing they were in horrible pain and slowly dying is beyond comprehension. Her heart must be as cold as ice. She should go without any food for a month or more. There was a baby horse...a young colt that would have grown to be an awesome horse. He had wonderful blood lines. Everyone loves to watch baby horses romp with their mothers. The mother was so starved she didn't even have milk to nurse. The baby died three days after it was rescued. They tried desperately to save it but were not able to. What kind of a monster does this to animals??? Knish was saying during her interview that "people are generally no good - they're going to put the blame somewhere else." She obviously was talking about herself. She deserves the MAXIMUM and it should be a felony. She should be absolutely barred from ever having animals of any kind ever again. I hope and pray that the judge uses her as an example to others.....no mercy for someone who inflicts such horrific pain day after day after day on innocent animals. What a nightmare this woman is!

I can't beleive that Krystal Knirsch & her mom Joanne Knirsch would say she is innocent. Think about it three horses died due to starvation and neglect. If Todd Williams was paying them $300.00 a month to feed them what were they feeding them? One of the horses that was rescued by Theresa from BHFER was a rack of bones. Justice should be served according to Flordia Statues 828.12 & 828.125 the charge should be a felony and not a misdemeanor. What a horrible death for these three Tonka, Brook's Aprroval & her still born foal. They had no voice but we do and it's time for abuse to STPO!!!

Sorry Krystal that excuse doesn't wash. The horses have been starving for a long time and AC was out there and a mare and foal died (stillborn) before you claim they even GOT there. So that pretty much ruins your credibility. If it is any comfort I doubt you'll be the only charged!

This woman IS to blame for these horses as much as the owner. How could you allow horses to be starved to death on your property and not be responsible?? She should be punished just like the owner of the horses.

I am a voice for Tonka, Layla, Sienna, Brook and her stillborn foal. I hope the courts listen to what happened to these horses. I cannot get out of my mind the thought that Tonka had to grind his teeth because of pain. How hard would it have been to feed these horses? Everyone that is involved with their strvation looks like they eat extremely well which sickens me.
Thank you for following their story and allowing folks hear the truth. To many horses are abused and don't have a voice heard in courts.
Mel Dundon

All I want to know is how can a humanbeing let any living creature starve to death? It looks like these people never missed a meal, I am glad, because hungerpain is like no other, been there done that and I would not wish it on anybody. May JUSTICE be served and let them miss a few meals, that is my hope.PEACE!!

These animals didn't get that way in a week, or a month. If they were brought to the property in that condition, animal control should have been called to document it. If action had been taken sooner they wouldn't have suffered.
People that have no regard to animals that depend on them for food & water also have no regard for human life & should pay the consequences.
I noticed none of the photos of the people involved look like they have missed any meals.......Throw the book at them!!!!!!!

Anyone that has an animal in their care is responsible for the well being, care and feeding of that animal - whether you are being paid to do so or not - God made these animals with the ability to find food - we, humans, made them unable to do so by keeping them confined. Therefore, those that confined them are responsible for their care - the neglect of which should be punishable to the fullest extent of the law with an addition of fines, jail time and a felony conviction on their records. No excuses and no second chances - the dead had no second chance and neither should the Knishes or Williams. It's high time people became responsible for their actions and the lack of those actions enforced by the law.

The owners of the horses would not donate these DYING horses to save their lives they insisted on being PAID before allowing them to be removed to a place where they would be fed. SHAME SHAME SHAME I want to see JAIL TIME. Not a pathetic SLAP on the wrist. This man has been been charged with animal abuse before. WHEN will the DA stand up for these poor creatures???? These people are LAUGHING at the law and the courthouse - they think you are a joke and they will be right if they walk again! The animal control offiicers knew that they were starving 2 weeks prior and DID NOT REMOVE them - they should be FIRED!! When will someone in a position of power actually do something - what are you being paid for??????????
This case is being CLOSELY watched around the entire country. I will make it my personal mission to help remove the DA and the animal control officer if there is not swift and complete justice. I want to see jail time - period - nothing else is acceptable for all parties.

I agree.
This didn't happen to these horses overnight.
There is no passing the buck here.
This cruelty and abuse continued for quite some time in order for them to get in the deplorable condition that ultimately caused the death of the mare and her unborn foal and the litlte 4 month old colt.

The 4 month old colt suffered so badly due to starvation that quote

"He was so starved his teeth were ground down from the painful ulcerated condition of his stomach."

Picture that horrible condition and realize that this is not a slap on the wrist.
The facts are well known that when one mistreats animals they usually continue on to humans.
I would hate to see someone elderly in the care of these people.
That's scarey.
The laws need to be strengthend and the perpetrators of these crimes against these horses need to be punished to the full extent of the law.
Kudos to the TV station for your outstanding reporting.

Amen to that last comment. We are WATCHING!!

IF you have something in your possession you are responsible for it. no matter if its yours or not this is the law I had possession of something that was stolen this i unaware of. I was held accountable for it after proving I didnt steal it. so in my book and the law makers book in america she is resposible she was hired to do a job and failed to do it. HER FOUGHT.
and me and Todd Williams are not friends.

Justice must be served to all those involved in this horrible case of animal neglect.. Tonka did not die in vain. For her and all those like her, we must let our voices be heard , so this mistreatment will end.

These mares and the foal were on Knish property for a month. If they saw emaciated horses delivered that first day, they should have called animal control. Mr. Williams says he paid them, so what happened to the money? The horses ate fences for a long time, not one day. The Knish's intentionally ignored giving the mares water, hay or grain. Dingolay had ear injuries oozing pus, flies, gnats and was a 1 on the Henneke body scoring. . .That means emaciated, and bone structure of neck, withers and shoulders easily visible. I support charging them with a felony of the third degree under Florida statute 828.12.

Dear Sarah Pusateri and WCJB:
Thank you for the follow up story. Your coverage of this story is excellent and hope other stations will follow in your footsteps. Animal abuse needs to take center stage. Sweeping animal abuse under the rug in the hopes that it will go away has gone on long enough.

I will echo previous comments. We are watching......

All parties involved are guilty. This is a clear cut case of animal abuse and no one, not even animal control, stepping up to do the right thing. Starvation is a cruel, terrible way to die. There is a large community following this case and they will not rest until justice is done. Do no underestimate the power of this grassroots community. We are a force to be reckoned with.

Thank you to the TV station for your reporting.

1) Firstly Krystal Knish should be charged with a felony in the third degree.

2) "She states that the horses were someone else’s"

If that was the case why did the Knishs' require a rescue to pay for these horses and not contact the "owners" to respond to the rescue?

3) Why?
BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED TO BE THE OWNERS OF ONE OF THE HORSES

THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM STATING THEY WERE THE OWNERS ONCE MONEY WAS INVOLVED AND TOLD BEAUTY'S HAVEN RESCUE THAT THEY COULD HAVE THE HORSE IF THEY PAID FOR HER. RACHEL YONISH'S NAME WAS NEVER BROUGHT UP.

5) The other owner Todd Williams was contacted and was going to have the horses PUT DOWN RATHER THAN LET THE RESCUE SAVE THEM. HE ONLY SOLD THEM TO THE RESCUE AFTER THE RESCUE AGREED TO PAY A LARGE SUM OF MONEY TO SAVE THE HORSES.

6) Ms Knish also stated" that they were fed and watered"

Well if that was the case, why were they in such an emaciated condition and why did two horses perish on her property and why when the remaining horses were rescued were they near death?

7) Also why did they call animal services if everything was fine with the horses?

The horses were obviously not fine and two died.

8) After you stand by and watch two horses die and others dying of pain, How can you state you are not responsible?

As a human being you are morally responsible to not let anything starve to death in front of you whether it is a person or an animal. They stood by and watched these animals die of starvation and did nothing. THAT IS MORALLY REHENSIBLE.

9) Oh and why didn't they tell the full story about the two horses that died?

BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY WOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE!
One was a mare giving birth and her leg was tied to a post so she could not assist in the birthing process and her foal was born stillborn due to lack of nutrition.

10) THEY STARVED TWO MARES THAT WERE PREGNANT AND SUBSEQUENTLY HAD FOALS. ONE MARE DIED AND BOTH FOALS DIED! HOW IS THIS TAKING CARE OF THE HORSES?

11) If they were not your horses why would they be buried on your property?

Why? BECAUSE THEY WERE YOUR HORSES

12) Krystal you were right on one thing you are not the ONLY one to blame. Joanne Knish and Todd Williams are also to be blamed and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and if the so called tenant was involved they too deserve to be punished in the same manner.

13) Once animal services came out and told you how to properly care for the horses why didn't you?

The answer is because you didn't WANT to

They are all to blame for the deaths of Brook's Approval, her stillborn foal, and Dingolay’s foal, Tonka. They are all to blame for starving Dingolay, Sienna Rachel, pregnant Brook's Approval that sure was responsible for the stillbirth, and baby Tonka who died a horrible death of starvation.


This was excellent news reporting and I for one appreciate the original story as well as the follow up.

I will not idly sit by quietly in this matter. I WILL BE A VOICE FOR THE HORSES AND PLEASE KNOW MINE AND OTHER VOICES ARE SPREADING FAR AND WIDE IN THIS MATTER.

One thing I know for sure is this case is being watched nationwide and everyone is watching what the state attorney and the judge are going to do. Please know that we take this very seriously and we are expecting them to prosecute this very seriously and send a message that this will not be tolerated in Florida.

Again I ask that all involved be charged with 3rd degree felonies


I don't mean to appear rude but I will make the obvious observation. Based upon your appearance in the news piece you personally have definitely not been missing any meals yourself. Maybe some of the money should have been used to help the animals and not fund your obesity.

.

"people are generally no good--they are going to put the blame on someone else" hello krystal, just listen to yourself!!!
the horses were eating wooden fences and bark off trees, they we so starved!
the horrific condition they were in doesn't happen in a couple of weeks!
i held tonka's head in my lap when he was at BHFER. what a sweet lilttle foal! this little guy did not deserve the inhumane treatment he received, nor did any of the horses in krystal's "care". both mares had to witness the death of their young. simply awful!
how could animal control just let them stay in the deplorable condition after their first visit i'll never understand!
i agree the charges should be felony, not misdemeanors, and be brought
against willliams and the knish's to the fullest extent allowed.
maybe someone will start investigating the efficiency of animal control.
thank you for covering this story and please continue to broadcast the events surrounding it.

I followed Tonka's story from day one and am outraged. How much effort does it take to feed an animal? None nearly! The woman is just lazy, lazy, LAZY and blaming anyone and everyone else for it. She takes $300.00 from a known animal abuser, and doesn't use the money to feed the horses, which puts her in the same category with him. Oh, but it isn't her fault according to her and her mother. Yeah, it really is Knirsch. Meanwhile, horses suffered and died. Again I ask, who is raising these morons??

Someone who would stand by and watch this happen is certainly guilty of neglect if not abuse. Did she contact Todd Williams, the owner and complain? Did she even try? Did she pick up the phone and call anyone? She could have reported Todd Williams to the police----What happened was a crime. She stood by and watched it happen at the very least. Would you stand by and watch a child starve to death? Animals have less voice than children do. What options did those poor horeses have to change their situation. She had options and she did nothing. She is morally and ethically responsible and our legal systrem will determine if she is legally responsible. In my opinion she is.

It is a travisty that this can continue to happen in our country anywhere be it
the wonderful Sunshine State or anywhere else. All involved should be punished and they should certainly look into why these animals were left at
Knishes in the first place, everyone in this case is passing the buck to someone else. Owning an animal is a priviledge not a right ! I have always been a horse lover and all animals. My sister and I had horses as children
It was a wonderful experience and responsibility . There is money envolved in caring for horses the proper way. I don't have the same economic circumstances due to the economy or I would own one again for my kids to experience. From watching the news Ms.Knish and her mother didn't shed one tear or show any remorse for their lack of care for these animals they were quote unquote caring for and if in fact they're not responsible for their deaths why? I think they're responsible for murdering these inocent animals.
Add me to the list of those watching..

As Jonie's mother, I am ashamed and heartsick over the plight of these horses. My children were all raised with love and respect for any animal. My own mother received awards from the local SPCA and I have fostered many animals in my life. My 5 children, indeed my entire family, has always respected and treated all animals fairly and with love and compassion. How a child of mine and her daughter could do this is something I cannot comprehend. In my opinion, both are guilty and both should receive the maximum and then some for this appalling, cruel and uncaring attitude towards our four-footed brothers and sisters on this earth.
Jonie's Mother

As Mother of Joanne and Grandmother of Krystal, I am appalled at this atrocity.
I raised all five of my children to have love, respect and compassion for all animals. My own mother received awards from the Humane Society for her work and I did volunteer work and fostered several animals for them. My family has always been involved with animals and never would hurt or neglect an animal. In my opinion, both of these people along with the owners of the horses need to be prosecuted to the fullest and then some.
an angry Mother

Still watching.... So sorry for you Mother. Our children sometimes let us down in ways that break our hearts. But this neglect is so severe we have to demand justice for the animals that have no voice and no choice but what their humans give them. I hope everyone involved will learn a good life lesson. If you cant or wont take care of them dont have them.

Any normal person who witnessed a starving animal would do eveyrthing possible to see the situation recitifed at once and the animal rescued.

Any person who actually has that animal on their property has not only a moral - but a legal- obligation to see that the animal is treated humanely.

One has to wonder about the calibre of individual who would watch this happen and not care enough to do something.

Jail time is definitely warranted for all three of these people.

Krystal's blatant disregard for these horses is subhuman.

There was never any lack of food at HER dinner plate. How can she live with herself?

COME ON STATE ATTORNEY, LAWYERS , JUDGES ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS DO YOUR JOBS

1ST OFF ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER NEEDS TO BE FIRED ON THE SPOT HOW DARE YOU LET THOSE POOR HORSES AND BABIES STARVE YOU ARE AS BAD AS THOSE PEOPLE STARVING THEM.

STATE ATTORNEYS, LAWYERS AND JUDGES YOU NEED TO UPHOLD THE LAW AND DO YOUR JOBS. PROSECUTE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW AND LET ANIMAL ABUSERS KNOW YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE. YOU WILL GIVE JAIL TIME, FINES AND NEVER ALLOW THESE PEOPLE TO OWN ANOTHER ANIMAL OF ANY KIND EVER AGAIN . THESE ANIMALS SHOULD BE TREATED AS IF THEY WERE HUMANS BEING ABUSED AND NEGLECTED WHAT SENTENCE WOULD THEY GET THEN???

THE LAW NEEDS TO PUT AND END TO ANIMAL ABUSE AND AS LONG AS PEOPLE KNOW THEY WILL GET AWAY WITH IT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO IT. WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU STATE ATTORNEY, JUDGES AND LAWYERS TO THROW THE BOOK AT THEM
PLEASE PLEASE

This story among others I have read is horrible, makes me upset and discusted that so called people would let this happen to any animal. Especially if the animal is pregnant. Animal do not die of starvation overnight. I feel that all are responsible. One person passing on to another an animal that is in sad shape but not noticable. What we have here is the end result death of babies and moms. I don't know what the heck these people are taking or drinking maybe but something is not kosher here, anyone with a healthy frame of mindset would not let this happen. If they can not care for the animals then give them up before things get too far. Every state should have a minimum sentence of 5 years and if the animal dies life just as if a human being would have died. This is heartwrenching to see the condition these horses were in at the time of their deaths. I hope they all get the max sentence together.

I feel all are responsible. Just so happens that I think that the animals were passed off to another person when the starvation started. No one in their right mind would ever hurt or let this happen to any animal. What the heck are they drinking or smoking anyway. If anyone anyone can not care for an animal let it go. All states should have a minimum of 5 years jail time plus hefty penalty and max life if the animals dies especially with pictures like these. The laws have to change. there should be no plea bargain either.