THE HORSE GAZETTE
what does it take to stop animal abuse?
By Karen Brown © 2010
This past year, in
site and database, only 8.5% of prohibits the intentional cruel truck 25 mph with the horse tied
and hair. Felony charges of animal vate property. For this reason, the
southern Florida, more than 20
abuse cases in Texas from January treatment of animals. Misdemean- behind. A blood trail of 1.9 miles
cruelty were made along with general public is often reluctant
horses have been stolen and bru-
2007 to December 2009 ended ors penalties are as much as 6 clearly showed that the horse had
criminal intent charges. to report abuse and officials are
tally butchered for meat to sell on
with a conviction. Of the twenty months jail time and/or a fine up lost his footing and was dragged.
The main perpetrator reluctant to investigate it. The law
the black market. In Texas, two
random cases reviewed by this to $2,000. Felonies come with up Simple math proves that the man
received nine months jail time, must walk a fine line when in a
A&M students beat and stabbed
writer, only one sentence con- to 2 years in jail and/or a fine up drove for at least 4.5 minutes after
five years probation, had to pay position to judge whether to con-
a yearling filly in her own pasture
tained penalties anywhere close to to $10,000. the horse fell. It is inconceivable
the horse’s owner $10,000 in fiscate abused animals (property)
after drinking too much at a party.
the maximum allowable by law. While the penalties that anyone can believe the driver
restitution, purchase a full-page or leave the scene with nothing
A Fannett, TX man tied the fam-
In a case labeled by the are significant, the difficulty lies didn’t realize what was happen-
newspaper ad apologizing to the more than a warning to the abuser
ily horse behind his pick-up to
animal control official in charge as within the legal system. In many ing. Yet, two juries could not agree
owner, undergo psychological to improve his stewardship.
“exercise” it. The horse fell and
“the worst case of animal abuse in cases it is difficult to substantiate that the defendant “intended” to
evaluation and alcohol treatment While jail time and
was dragged. He died the follow-
the history of Texas”, the sentence the intent of the perpetrator. Since harm the animal, therefore, they
if directed, perform 250 hours of hefty fines can be life changing;
ing day. A Kerrville, TX woman
defies comprehension. After seiz- Texas law is specific in its ver- would not convict. After his guilty
community service and not own or it leaves the core problem of
strangled, then stabbed her dog 31
ing over 100 starved and dying biage—outlawing cruelty—any plea this man received $1,000
live with any pets during his pro- abuse untouched. Animal abuse
times in a fit of anger.
animals, the sheriff charged the case without sufficient evidence fine and 100 hours of community
bation. While this sentence falls stems from two sources: abject
These types of blatant
perpetrator with 60 counts of of intent to harm will likely not service supervised by the Humane
short of the maximum allowed by ignorance or sadistic defects of
animal abuse cases can be found
animal cruelty. As Class A mis- be prosecuted. Society.
law, it certainly made an effort to the human psyche; both tend to
across the United States. There
demeanors, each count carried a Additionally, cases that Few abuse cases are
rehabilitate the criminal and pro- perceive animals as biological
are thousands more that are never
potential one year of prison and go to court are subject to the ever resolved with any benefit
tect other animals from him. machines. Any punishment that
reported or resolved. Though
a $4,000 fine. In the end, the per- whims and emotions of the jury. to the animals; indeed, the vast
One difficulty in pros- does nothing to remediate these
suspects are nearly always
petrator received a six-month jail In regard to the Fannett horse, majority of seized animals have to
ecuting animal abuse cases is the contributing factors does an in-
identified, the vast majority of
term and a $2,000 fine. Criminal the case was tried twice; both be euthanized or die due to insur-
subjective criteria used and the justice to the animals who have
cases are closed with no charges
cases are jury trials; and sentenc- trials resulted in hung juries. The mountable damage. However, one
extreme conditions which must be suffered.
filed. Frequently, when the
ing is sometimes determined by prosecuting attorney, while con- case ended with a more creative
apparent before any legal action It should be noted that
suspect is convicted, the penalties
the jury. templating the success of a third sentence. Two college boys beat
will be taken. One of the most animal abuse is frequently a pre-
do little to interrupt their lives
The animal abuse law trial, was presented with a guilty and stabbed a mare in her own
common acts of abuse is starva- cursor to human abuse. Of the 235
and nothing to remediate the
of Texas provides for substantial plea to a misdemeanor charge of pasture; they were so drunk they
tion. In most cases, the animal(s) cases of reported animal abuse in
damage.
penalties for misdemeanor and “attempted cruelty to an animal” didn’t even remember what they
is near death before the authorities the past three years in Texas, 50 of
According to Pet-
felonious acts of abuse. Section by the accused. had done. Police found the tools
are willing to take action. those cases were linked with child
Abuse.com, a pet advocacy web-
42.09 of the Texas Penal Code The man drove his of their abuse covered with blood
Property rights are or elderly abuse.
strong in Texas; animals are pri- As long as there are
adherents to the outdated Carte-
sian World View that animals are
robotic automatons, there will be
atrocities visited upon the animal
kingdom. As long as there are
people who believe that the life
of an animal is irrelevant or that
JMK Superwoman R. J. Mangold Grain Co., Inc.
animals feel no pain, animal abus-
• 2008 AQHA/PHBA Filly
ers will be relatively safe from
• 2008 Go for the Gold
and General Store
receiving their due.
Futurity winner
Family Owned & Operated Since 1932
Once convicted, ani-
• 2009 AQHA Grand mal abusers should receive the
Champion
stiffest criminal penalties allowed
• 2009 Dixie National Class
• Quality Horse Feed • Custom Feed Mixes • Alfalfa
by law combined with psychologi-
winner
• Coastal Hay • Livestock & Pet Feed & Supplies
• Horse Health Care & Grooming Products
cal review, be forbidden to own or
live with animals, and be required
Mangold’s Horse Feeds
to pay substantial penance to the
Special Horse Feed 14% - a sweet feed for weanling, yearling and
animal owner. Lastly, they should
mature horses
be given as much supervised
Hi-Energy Horse Feed 14% - a high content fat sweet feed for weanling,
community service--working di-
yearling and mature horses rectly with animals--as needed to
Shaw Mix 10% - a sweet feed with ground alfalfa hay for maintenance of teach the perpetrator that animals
mature horses
are sentient beings that deserve
the same respect and dignity as
LaCoste, Texas
20 Minutes West of Loop 40 off Hwy 90
humans.
830-985-3323
You can contact Karen
Metro
Brown at Solitaire Ranch (830)
796-4764, email: karen@karen-
brownonhorses.com or visit www.
www.mangoldgrain.com
karenbrownonhorses.com.
• Reproductive Services
• Emergency Medicine
• Solf Tissue Surgery
• Microchipping
• Colic Surgery
• Lameness
• Pediatrics
• Dentistry
• Arthroscopy
• Chiropractics
• Internal Medicine
Stop by or call, we would be happy to help you!
• Intensive Care Unit
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Assist you to find the right horse • Training both you and your horse
• In-house Coggins Lab
• Trailer Loading • Developing confidence • Boarding (pasture & stalls)
• Enhancing your showing skills • Fitting for both showing & sales
• Friendly, Fun Atmosphere • Hay (both Coastal & Alfalfa)
We’ve cared for your
horses for years,
Retama has the best diagnostic & treatment options:now we can care for
Hank
• Digital Radiography • Video Endoscopy • Stem Cell Therapy
your dogs & cats too!
• Orthopedic Surgery (fracture repair & arthroscopy)
• Advanced Dentistry (including molar extraction)
Give us a call to stop by
• Stockwave • iRAP Joint Therapy
Small Animal
and see our stallions,
foals & prospects!
Medicine & Surgery
• Peppy Sol Anson
• Red ID Surprise
}
Visit: Rainbow1Ranch.com
for more information on
these talented stallions.
1755 Old Evans Road • Selma,
opening in F
Texas
ebruary! AI and Collection Services - 93% 2009 Conception Rate
210-651-6375
Receiving station for cooled & frozen semen
Appointments:
Monday-Friday 8am-5pm • Saturday 8am-Noon • 24/7 Emergencies
17555 Old Evans Road • Selma, TX 78154 Dave, Susan or Nita Fuqua
210-651-6375 • www.RetamaEquineHospital.com
830-996-1105 (Ranch) 210-218-4511 (Cell)
Visit us online at www.RetamaEquineHospital.com Visit us at: www.Rainbow1Ranch.com
Anson
Page 6 Visit us at: www.HorseGazette.com
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24