Posts Tagged ‘unwanted horses’

By Ray Paulick
A national survey from the Unwanted Horse Coalition released Thursday shows that the number of neglected, unwanted or abused horses has been on the rise as economic conditions across the country have worsened. No surprise there (though a group called the Equine Welfare Alliance said the Unwanted Horse Coalition survey was “slanted” and was released in conjunction with a Senate committee hearing in hopes of stopping federal anti-slaughter legislation). Eighty-seven percent of the participants in the survey (horse owners, equine industry stakeholders and non-horse owners) believe the issue of unwanted horses has become a “big problem,” and 63% of horse rescure or retirement facilities polled are at or near full capacity.

The national survey also said 38% of horses brought to the facilities are turned away.

That isn’t the case with the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, according to the non-profit organization’s development director, Cyndi Greathouse. “No horse is ever turned away,” Greathouse told the Paulick Report.

Opened in April 2007, the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, located on Catnip Hill Road in Nicholasville, Ky., has taken on 400 horses of all shapes, sizes and breeds (including donkeys, miniatures and mules). It accepts horses from individuals, corporations, county animal control agencies throughout Kentucky, other humane societies or equine organizations. “We are a shelter much like the animal shelters for cats and dogs,” said Greathouse. “After an equine is surrendered to KyEHC, they are wormed, immunized and have a physical examination by a licensed veterinarian. Those that are deemed physically and mentally suitable, are put up for adoption.”

• The bill would require the Attorney General to provide for the humane placement or other humane disposition of any horse seized in connection with an offense under this section.  As an organization deeply involved in the care of horses every day, we have concern that this requirement (for the Department of Justice, with no known capacity to care for seized horses) could result in improper treatment. 

• Simply adding criminal penalties – while not providing procedural guidelines or funding for the care and treatment of abandoned horses – will likely only exacerbate the situation. While supporters of this bill might believe that adding criminal penalties would cure the problem, it could easily make it worse.

  These are but a few of the questions that we and our members are examining. 

  With all due respect, I believe that prior legislation dealt with this issue in a more comprehensive way, was designed to address some of the possible unintended consequences that we find troubling, and was on the whole  better legislation for horses and horse owners. We continue to examine this legislation but these concerns remain.

  Finally, several anti-slaughter advocacy groups, including the Humane Society of the United States and Animal Welfare Institute, listed the NTRA as supporters of this legislation before consulting us.  We trust that they, and any other third party with whom you may have spoken relative to the NTRA’s position, have clarified that they claimed our endorsement before discussing our concerns with them.  Our association takes no position on this bill at this time. 

  Thank you for your attention to this matter.