Equine Protection Network
www.equineprotectionnetwork.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2005
Christine Berry
570-345-6440

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Horse Cruelty Case Needs Your Help!
Bill Introduced to End Horse Slaughter
Bill Introduced to Restore Protection to Wild Horses
Horse Abuser Fined $750.00 in New Holland Court

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Horse Cruelty Case Needs Your Help!

From the Mountain Region Humane Society
Hawley, PA

Photos will be made available on our website.


WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PONY?

This pony came under investigation by the Mountain Region Humane
Society in October of 2004. Her owner said that the rectal mass had
been there for about three to four years. During the investigation,
it was agreed that this 31 year old pony also suffers from founder
(laminitis), a painful hoof condition. At the Humane Society's
insistence, the owner had a veterinarian examine the pony. It was
the first time that this particular veterinarian had ever seen the
pony. The pony was last seen by a veterinarian in 2003 at which time
routine equine vaccines were given, according to the owner.

The veterinarian wrote two notes, the first of which was to the
pony's owner, which said in part: "This pony has a tumor surrounding
the rectum which is inoperable. She also is very sore on her feet
from chronic founder. I think that this pony is near the end and the
most humane consideration [for] her may be euthanasia."

The veterinarian also wrote a second note, this one to the humane
investigator, which said in part: "At this time I do not believe
that this pony is a neglect case. I will testify to this in court. I
think that this pony is an old pony living out its life and at this
time is near the end. Blood tests at this point seem to be an
unnecessary added expense. Some trimming of the feet and pain relief
may be of temporary benefit. ..."

The owner's veterinarian recommended medication to help with the
pony's pain. Six weeks after treatment was supposedly started, a
veterinarian examined the pony at the Humane Society's request. She
also wrote a report which included the following: "I did a complete
physical exam as well as a rectal exam. On physical exam the pony
was rocked back on her hind legs due to pain from her front feet.
Her heart rate was 48 beats per minute... The increased heart rate
indicates she is in pain. She is blind in both eyes; her teeth are
in bad condition with sharp points and hooks. ... Her front feet
were long and her toes rolled up. She would back onto her heels,
again indicating pain in her toes. She also had increased digital
pulses and her feet were warm. ... Another problem I saw was a large
mass over her hindquarter muscle. It surrounded both sides of her
tailbone. Her tail was dropped down from its normal position and her
back is abnormally hunched. On rectal examination a painful area was
palpated in the area of her tailbones. There was increased
calcification and the tail was displaced indicating a possible old
fracture or luxation."

"These conditions are long standing. Overall Candy appeared to
be in a moderate amount of pain due to both her laminitic feet, and
her mass which had caused an arching in her back or abnormal
posture. I recommended euthanasia as the best opinions since I do
not believe we could make her comfortable even with treatment."

The owner said that the Humane Society's veterinarian was the
fourth veterinarian to recommend that she put this pony to sleep.
Despite these veterinarians' recommendations, the owner has
steadfastedly refused to euthanize the pony. Her veterinarian has
now stated that the pony is just old, that she is not suffering and
that she should be allowed to "go back to nature." At last report,
she remains alive.

Ironically, the pony owner's veterinarian is the same
veterinarian who is affiliated with another humane organization in
Wayne County, the Dessin Animal Shelter. As a result of the efforts
of the owner's veterinarian, the Dessin Animal Shelter became
involved in this case. Coincidence? The District Attorney indicated
that she would not be facing charges of animal cruelty and neglect
because he did not think that the pony's owner wantonly or cruelly
neglected this animal, even though both conditions had existed
without proper veterinary care for years. There is no indication
that the Dessin Animal Shelter will be pursuing animal cruelty
charges against the pony's owner. Instead, it maintains that this
pony is fine and comfortable.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS WRONG WITH THIS PONY? We are interested in
what you have to say and have received letters and comments from
people within Wayne County and from people as far away as Australia.
Please send your thoughts to:

Mountain Region Humane Society

P. O. Box 51

Hawley, Pennsylvania 18428

or you may call us at (570) 685-5873.


Thank you.

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Children's Horse Books to Benefit the EPN!

The EPN appreciates the generous donation by Syncopated Press of
several copies of the children's books," Heart, Hoof, & Soul" and "
Forelocks,
Fetlocks & Horse Tales" to the EPN.

Your purchases of these books helps to support the EPN in our
efforts to improve the welfare of horses and to end horse slaughter.

http://www.equineprotectionnetwork.com/book.htm

Books are also available for purchase at our booths at the PA Horse
World Expo, Harrisburg Pet & Horse Expo & Schuylkill County Fair.

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EPN Merchandise is available at:

http://www.cafeshops.com/equineprotet6

The EPN receives on average $2.00 for each purchase.

Shopping at the EPN Online Shopping Mall Raises Funds for the EPN
including Back in the Saddle & Jeffers Equine!
http://www.equineprotectionnetwork.com/saveamericashorses/store.htm

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Bill Introduced to End Horse Slaughter

On February 1, 2005, Rep John Sweeney from NY, co-chair of the
Congressional Horse Caucus, introduced HR 503 in the 109th Congress
which would prevent the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering,
receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses
and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, and for
other purposes. HR 503 amends the Horse Protection Act. The bill has
21 co-sponsors as of 2/10/05, including Congressman Pitts from PA.

HoofPAC's Cathleen Doyle, who ran the successful 1998 Save The
Horse's Campaign which resulted in the passage of California's Prop
6, making it a felony to slaughter a California horse, consulted
with co-sponsor Ed Whitfield from KY last fall when it became
obvious that HR 857 was dead. The current language for the American
Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is a result of that meeting. HR 503
has been referred to the House Committee on Energy & Commerce.

California's Prop 6 was supported by the California State Horsemen's
Association, the country's largest and oldest state horse
association, the racing industry, law enforcement, and other member
of the horse industry and received over 61% of the vote. California
is significant in that its number one industry is Agriculture and it
has the largest horse population in the country. Prop 6 also set a
precedent with the strongest (felony) animal protection penalty on
the books in the State of California.

HR 503, unlike HR 857 does not have any provisions for federal funds
for horse rescue operations, a point that was opposed by many in the
horse industry.

HR 503 has the support of Thoroughbred Racing, and horse and animal
welfare organizations. HR 503 is opposed by many state horse
councils, the veterinarian organizations and of course the food
producing industry that use the slippery slope argument as their
basis for opposing the legislation.

The status of this bill can be monitored at:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR00503:@@@P

Horses in the United States are not raised for food and fiber, nor
are they taxed as such. In many states, including 2 of the largest
horse states in the country, products purchased for horses,
including feed, are subject to sales tax. Horses do not receive the
same tax benefits as other food and fiber producing animals.
Nor have any of the products used on horses been tested for food
safety withdrawal times. All products carry the warning, "Not
intended for use on horses intended for food."
"No American horse-not even our old, lame, slow, untamed, or
unwanted ones-should be so cruelly betrayed for 40 pieces of
silver..."
Cathleen Doyle
HoofPAC, Save The Horses, California Equine Council

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EPN 2004 Event Schedule

Horse World Expo
Booth 819
February 25th - 27th, 2005
Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA

Harrisburg Pet Expo
Harrisburg, PA
April 30th- May 1, 2005

Schuylkill County Fair, Summit Station, PA
August 2, 2004 - August 7, 2004
Indoor Midway

The EPN is looking for corporate sponsors for our four booths a year.
Cost is $1000.00.

The EPN is a proud supporter of Hoofpac. Visit Hoofpac.com for more
information & visit their online store!

Keep America's Horses in the Stable & Off the Table!

For more information on the EPN's position on horse slaughter, visit
our FAQ page:
http://www.equineprotectionnetwork.com/faqs.htm

Thank you for supporting the EPN

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Bill Introduced to Restore Protection to Wild Horses


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Wedding Bells are supporting the EPN!

Are you planning a wedding? Is it time to register for gifts? Are
you looking for something special? Why not choose the EPN as a
charity that your
friends and family can donate to in your name? Using JustGive.org,
it's simple. For more information on how the sound of wedding bells
can help
Save America's Horses go to Just Give Wedding Registry:

http://www.justgive.org/weddings/index.jsp

Charity Wish List

At JustGive.org you can also create your own Charity Wish List so
your friends and family members know what charities to donate to in
your name!
This is an easy way to help Save Americas Horses!

http://www.justgive.org/wishlists/index.jsp

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Horse Abuser Fined $750.00 in New Holland Court – Horse Dies
Pictures will be Posted on Our Website.

On December 20, 2004 in New Holland District Court, Judge Rodney
Hartman fined Richard J. Williams of Warfordsburg, PA the maximum
fine of $750.00 for offering for sale a sick, lame or debilitated
horse in violation of Pennsylvania Law, Title 18, 5511(d). The Large
Animal Protection Society, LAPS, filed the charges against Mr.
Williams after receiving a complaint from the people who had
purchased the horse at New Holland Sale. The 2nd citation for
failure to provide necessary vet care was dismissed.

Two equine veterinarians, a LAPS Humane Society Police Officer, a
professional horse person, and the Equine Protection Network's
Christine Berry testified for the prosecution. The veterinarians
determined that the horse, who died three days after being sold
through the sale in New Holland, had died of renal failure.

On November 4, 2004 a three year old black and white paint gelding
named Buddy, was purchased by Mr. Daniel Deans from Mr. Richard
Williams for $179.00 plus tax. Although suffering from severe and
chronic laminitis as evidenced by the obviously deformed hoof wall,
he was sold through the ring at New Holland illegally. The seller
however, wanting to present Buddy with his best foot forward, had
painted Buddy's hooves with Hoof Black. Perhaps he though no one
would notice.

In the court case brought by LAPS, two equine veterinarians
testified to the horrific condition of the feet and the overuse of
anti-inflammatory medication, (NSAIDs) to mask the very painful
condition of laminitis. One of the vets in testimony stated, "There
is no way this horse would have taken a step without the amount of
painkillers in its system." In the presentation of the necropsy
report performed at New Bolton Center the attending veterinarian
provided photos of Buddy's mouth, lips, and soft palate covered in
ulcerations, which he laid directly to overuse of anti-inflammatory
medication. The vet also presented Buddy's dissected right front
hoof depicting the damage done by chronic, severe, laminitis. The
coffin bone was rotated to the point it had pierced his sole and he
had rings so deep that his hoof wall was deformed.

Mr. Williams claimed that he purchased the horse in the parking lot
the night before, illegal under PA law.

Williams also claimed that since he placed the horse in the "as is
pen" and sold the horse, "as is", he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
Selling a horse "as is" has nothing to do with the Pennsylvania
cruelty law. Selling a horse "as is", simply means the owner is not
guaranteeing the horse. Selling a horse "as is" is a fraud issue.
Selling a horse sick, lame or debilitated, is a cruelty issue.

The EPN congratulates LAPS for another case well done and applauds
District Justice Hartman for once again applying the maximum fine
allowed by Pennsylvania law.

Title 18, Section 5511(d) Selling or using disabled horse.--A person
commits a summary offense if he offers for sale or sells any horse,
which by reason of debility, disease or lameness, or for other
cause, could not be worked or used without violating the laws
against cruelty to animals, or leads, rides, drives or transports
any such horse for any purpose, except that of conveying the horse
to the nearest available appropriate facility for its humane keeping
or destruction or for medical or surgical treatment.


Title 7 Chapter 5 Animal Markets § 5.9. Transactions from trucks.

Selling, bartering or trading of animals from trucks or other
vehicles on animal markets property or along the public highways
adjacent to an animal market is a violation of the act of April 17,
1929 (P. L. 533, No. 236) (3 P. S. § § 341—351), known as the
Diseased Animal Quarantine Law, and is not permitted.

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STOLEN HORSES

The EPN in partnership with Stolen Horse International, SHI,
distributes stolen horse alerts known as "Idaho Alerts" named after
SHI's founder Debi and Harold Metcalfe's beloved horse Idaho, who
was stolen in 1997. The Metcalfe's utilized the power of the
Internet & the volunteer effort of thousands of people from around
the world who helped the Metcalfe's in their desperate search for
Idaho. Their efforts paid off almost a year to the day of Idaho's
theft when a flyer posted in a convenience store led to the
discovery of their beloved Idaho in another state.

SHI was born out of the Metcalfe's desire to help other horse owners
who were also the victims of horse theft.
Today SHI is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that boasts a
recovery rate of 51% for stolen horses that have been reported
stolen to SHI within one day of being stolen.

Please join the EPN & SHI in helping to bring stolen horses home to
their rightful owners!
When you receive an Idaho Alert pass the Alert on to as many of your
friends, family & co-workers as you can.
Print out the Idaho Alert flyer & post it anywhere people may see it.
SHI flyers posted in convenience stores, beauty salons, grocery
stores & horse auctions have led to the recovery of stolen horses,
often several states away from the original theft.

Make sure to visit SHI's website, www.netposse.com to view more
flyers of stolen horses.


Your Horse is Missing--What Now? - Debi Metcalfe in The Horse
http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.asp?fid=4897&dpt=5

Horse Theft Education Starts Here
Horse Theft. Been There--Done That now available on site now.
Stolen Horse International
www.netposse.com



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The EPN is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.
Send your tax-deductible donation to:

Equine Protection Network
P.O. Box 232, Friedensburg, PA, 17933
The official registration and financial information of the Equine
Protection Network, Inc, may be obtained from the PA Department of
State by calling toll free within PA, 1-800-732-0999. Registration
does not imply endorsement.