News and Investigations

Sheriff Grady Judd presented a new Massey Fergusson MF2760E tractor to Hope Equine Rescue (HER) of Winter Haven on Tuesday, May 12, 2020. Polk Sheriff's Charities, Inc., donated $18,500 toward the purchase of the tractor for the non-profit rescue which cares and places unwanted, abused, and neglected horses and donkeys.

The tractor presentation took place Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the HER facility at
3805 High Street (just off of Dundee Road) in Winter Haven.

Joining Sheriff Judd for the presentation were fellow donors from Grove Equipment Services, Inc. and Representative Sam Killebrew of the Florida House of Representatives. Together, they made the presentation to HER founder Dani Horton.

"Hope Equine Rescue has been a tremendous help to not only a lot of horses, but also to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. They have taken in more than 115 horses from PCSO alone…horses that were in bad shape. I am very excited that Polk Sheriff's Charities, Inc. can do something in return." - Grady Judd, Sheriff.

In addition to all of the help HER has provided to the horses and donkeys, their expertise has also aided in several criminal cases and civil trials that emerged from PCSO investigations involving equine abuse and neglect.

HER was founded in 2008 after Horton discovered and saved a severely neglected by its owner. That horse was named Hope. The rehabilitation for neglected and abused horses takes time, and money. The rescues are eventually placed to a loving home following a detailed adoption process.

HER is involved in the community providing seminars, webinars, and online help regarding horse care. They have also created the "Reading with Rescues" program for students from K-8th grade in which children will read to a horse of donkey for 20-25 minutes.