**RULES TO FOLLOW**
Witnessing the abuse or neglect of an animal is not an easy thing to stomach. However, it is easy to say, "Someone should to do something about this!", and drive away believing someone else will intervene. Many times this mindset allows abuse to continue long enough to end in death. To lend a more expedient end to abuse and neglect, we would like to prepare you with steps to follow should you spot such wrongdoings.
1. Approach the owner
If the horse's owner is at all approachable, speak with them first. Rule out any possibility that the animal is actually at a facility where it is on the road to recovery from someone else's misconduct. It can also be possible that the owner isn't aware of the proper care a horse needs. This can especially be true with new owners of hard-to-keep animals or those in special circumstances, such as pregnant mares. Diana Linkous of the Equine Rescue Network, Inc. urges, "If the owner is known, or appears to be hostile, skip this step."
2. Collect evidence
The key to establishing credibility when filing a complaint is to document what you witness on film. It will be a lot easier to rally the support of your local legal officials with documented proof. Diana recommends,
It is important to note that in some jurisdictions, photos taken while on the owner's property may be inadmissible as evidence, should the case progress to prosecution. Trespassing charges can offer another roadblock; always get permission to enter anyone's property ahead of time. Diana goes on to recommend, "If you are confronted by an armed owner, leave, even if you are on public ground."
Further evidence can be compiled by way of expert witness. You may want to take a trusted equine vet, farrier or other equine professionals out to see the horse and document his or her findings for submission to authorities. Diana offers an interesting side note, "Sometimes these people will not want to get involved, either because they fear loss of business, or because the abuser is in a position of power... cousin to the sheriff, brother to a state senator, whatever." So choose your experts wisely.
3. Contact the Humane Society
If you cannot get any help for the animal from the owners themselves, it's time to get in touch with your local Humane Society. Chris Smith of the Equine Rescue League in Leesburg, Virginia continues this thought,
If there are no Humane Society or Animal Control Officers for your county, contacting your sheriff's office remains the next logical step. The sheriff's deputies themselves may have the jurisdiction over animal cruelty. Diana also mentions that it is wise to be prepared for animal control officers that know nothing about horses. "Be willing to teach them" if they are receptive. Otherwise, this is where the testimony of your expert witness will come in handy.
Tolentinotino of D-D Farm- Animal Sanctuary and Rescue in Columbia, Missouri points out that humane societies, animal control officers and the sheriff's department all have the authority to seize the animal if necessary. "Do not ever go in and just take the animals [yourself] without permission as this is a felony and you may be prosecuted."
4. Get the press involved
Hopefully the horse's ill fate will be remedied before you reach this point. But if the previous steps don't result in better conditions for the horse, getting the local citizenry aware of the abuse will often press officials to aNeighborhoodhood interest stories are often a hot topic for local news broadcasts and newspapers. Diana also suggests, "At this point, you want to build up local anger at the situation, so find 4-H clubs, Pony Clubs, and so forth to get a bunch of people behind you in a letter writing campaign." Be careful to involve the public as a last-ditch effort. Doing otherwise could brand you as an agitator and render your efforts to save the animals less effective.
To quote Chris, "The bottom line is this: You are the abused horse's first line of communication with someone who can help. Don't let him down."
-Lara Barnes
Additional Do's & Dont's provided by our experts:
Do: Visit the National Association of Counties to find listings of county officials in your area.
Do: Look up your state's laws on this now before you need to know this information.
Do: Provide officials with the contact information of one or more local equine resorganizationsions that is prepared to help if needed. (A state by state listing of rescues can be found here.)
Do: Contact your Department of Agriculture to see if there is a Humane Society office. State government websites are listed at http://www.wheretodoresearch.com/states.htm
Do: Consider involving the Department of Natural Resources in severe abuse situations where animal carcasses are not disposed of properly. This is especially true if the carcasses are in the proximity of flowing water. The State of Louisiana provides a list of Natural Resource links at: http://www.dnr.state.la.us/lalinks.ssi
DON'T: Go in and take the animals yourself. This is a felony and can land you in jail.
