Horses given away amid rising grain costs

BOSTON, July 9 (UPI) -- Many U.S. horse owners say they are pleading with animal adoption centers to take their pets because they cannot keep up with the increasing cost of grain.

As more horse owners turn to adoption centers for help, the non-profit organizations are running out of room for the 1,000-pound animals, The Boston Globe reported Wednesday.

"I called several rescue shelters to see if they would take her, and they said no," said Caitlin Sweetra of North Andover, Mass.

Some animal rights activists worry the only option for some people is to put the animals down, the newspaper said.

Animal rescue workers have said the rising cost of grain has prompted a drastic increase in the number of people trying to unload horses.

"Horses have become a disposable commodity. I get about three or four calls a day, when I used to get three or four calls a month," said Sarah Nagle, owner of Cedar Oaks Equestrian Rescue in Plymouth, Mass.