To me this is like sacrificing a few to save the masses. (snip) I don't have faith in the animal control dept.

This is a very emotional issue with strong feelings on both sides. It is not a matter of NOT saving the single horse, it IS a matter of being willing to put yourself on the line and perhaps risk being unpopular in some circles to save not only the one horse but to save many.

All states have some laws that protect horses. Some of these states need to have the laws updated so that they are stronger or more specific. That also is OUR responsibility.

BUT no matter what the laws are there are agencies which are REQUIRED to enforce the exsisting laws. Unfortunately, some of these agencies:

1. Have no knowledge of equines or what their proper care is.
2. Have no knowledge of what the laws are affecting equines.
3. Lack the funding to care for an equine if it is seized.
4. Lack the facilities to care for an equine if it is seized.

There is not a single one of the above that is not correctable with the help of individuals or organizations who care about equines.

They're all over worked, under paid and under staffed.

At some shelters the staff is overworked, under paid and under staffed. Which is all the more reason that qualified individuals and organizations should become involved and assist in any way they can.

Many shelters are not over worked, under paid or understaffed.

I worked at a shelter in the late '70's and the pay was good then. I don't know what the exact pay scale is now but I know in the surrounding areas the salaries are about $19+K to $27+K for a Kennel Attendant, and $23+K to $33+K for an ACO (Annimal Control Officer) plus full benefit package. Which is not bad pay for a for a job that requires a high school education and almost no qualifications.

The same shelter also has a higher rate of personnel per animal ratio than any of the surrounding shelters.

The shelter also has a great barn and turnout area.

Also if any shelter does not have the staff to respond to a cruelty case then there are other law enforcement agencies available to pursue the case. Sometimes it takes a strong push and maybe publicity to FORCE them to do thier job.

Which brings up another point. If we expect sources of authority to take us seriously even going so far as to trust us enough to put us on the stand as witnesses in an abuse case, we MUST make sure that when we make statements they are absolutley CORRECT and we can document that fact.

Most have lost what heart they might have had when they were new to their jobs.

That is not our problem... they are paid to enforce the law and protect equines. Personally, I don't care if they have lost heart, didn't have their breakfast, or they have a toothache. If they can't do their job ...they should get out.

I've called them out on reports before, but either they didn't show up, came way too late to help, or they laughed at me for reporting something that wasn't a severe abuse case.

Did you report their lack of response to the main office? What did you do to make sure they responded differently, i.e. properly and timely, the next time? If you did nothing then you have sent them the message that it was OK not to respond.

Do you know what qualifies as abuse? Are you familiar with the Henneke Scoring system? Are you willing to attend one of the equine abuse schools or conferences and become certified?

What about those horses at auctions. Shouldn't we buy those if we can? Do we just stand around and let the killers get them?

Although I have bought horses from killerbuyers for no more than 10 cents a pound over the going rate, I haven't done it for years. I won't support the SOB's and I won't let them make a living off me. There are a number of killerbuyers in CA that are making such good money by selling to "rescue" organizations that they seldom ship horses anymore. When they can sell a horse whose slaughter worth may be $250.00 or $500.00 for $600 to $1,500.00, why should they? By supporting them you give them more money to go buy more horses to sell to you for more money to buy more horses ...in a never ending losing circle.

Get the horses BEFORE the auctions and killerbuyers pick them up! If you put an ad in the paper telling what you do, you will be so overloaded with calls from people wanting to donate horses instead of taking them to the auction or selling them to the buyers you won't be able to take them all. I am only an hour from you and LIFE has turned down as many as 25 horses in a week. Want some?

I don't think that prosecuting all the animal abusers will really change reality. It's a good theory, but I have my doubts.

How would you know? Have you ever tried working the system and making them comply with the laws?

This just looks like an endless battle, and I will put my efforts towards saving the animals in however I can, and leave the court cases to you guys.

Until we, as caring people, educate equine owners, educate those in autority, REQUIRE and DEMAND that those in authority do their jobs and help those agencies in any way we can, abuse will continue. A single organization or individual can only take a very limited number of animals, but working within and supporting the system we can make changes that will bring about significant reductions in abuse, and changes in attitudes and in law.

The Equine Rescue Teacher was Barbara Eustis-Cross.

Webmaster's comments:

It seems to me that this teacher is pointing us in a direction of civic responsibility in the service of equine rescue. If we as citizens are concerned in our communities that equine abuse is taking place and nothing effective is being done to prevent or stop it, then we must take it upon ourselves to see that the officials whose salaries we pay carry out their duties. If the system prevents this, then we need to address the system. Ultimately, it is our system and as citizens it is our duty to make it work for us.

Additionally, if the local Humane Society(ies) and Equine Rescues do not perform their avowed responsibilities effectively, then we must either get involved with them and educate/help them, or form our own, or as individuals educate ourselves to be reliable investigators and witnesses, and encourage others to do the same.

The system is not something to be defeated; it is something to be reformed into an effective tool for the people who own it, and that's us.