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Animal Control Agencies
All cities and counties respond to possible neglect
calls. The action taken by the responding officer may vary from county
to county especially when dealing with equines and there are two areas
that an officer must take into consideration.
First is what type of situation the prosecuting attorney
is willing to take to court. It is very time consuming for an officer
to build a case that will stand up in court therefore, the officer will
not take time on those that will not pass the prosecutor’s criteria.
Second is budget. It is very expensive for local governments
to seize and care for all the possible needs required by an equine
suffering from lack of care. It may take months for a case to go to trial
and all necessary medical and daily care becomes the tax payer’s
responsibility. If the owner is found guilty of the charges financial reimbursement
for the total cost of the care is unlikely.
Another area that plays a part in what changes an owner
is required to make to improve conditions is the knowledge the responding
officer has on equine needs.
Equine Rescues and/or Foster
Care
Each equine care facility works differently.
Some work with AC agencies and may require full financial compensation
for taking care of seized equines and others might require a one time intake
fee.
Depending on the general public’s economical situation
it is sometimes very difficult to find new homes for those in these facilities.
This then becomes a new issue as the facilities become full and are unable
to take in new neglect cases.
Foot Note:
The beast-of-burden has been an essential part of man’s
existence for six thousand years. Yes, 6,000 years. The donkey (the
descendant of the African ass) is the oldest domestic beast of burden;
it is believed to have been domesticated in Egypt by c.4000 BC. The most
common date given for the horse’s domestication and use as a means of transport,
is c. 2000 BC.
It is only in today’s society
that their value to man has diminished so low that it is becoming common
to find owners not taking the time to understand the basic care needed
or they choose not to give it; that results in needless pain and suffering.
What is RHAF?
“Hay 4 Horses” AC Vouchers
The services for this program are extensive and reach
the animals in need of basic health care via Animal Control Agencies. These
vouchers are issued to owners at the Officer’s discretion; one or
all of the free services can be selected for each equine.
When funds are depleted for the program, the Animal Control Agencies
are informed not to issue any more vouchers. This program is not only a
tool for Animal Control Agencies to be more effective under the WA State
Cruelty Codes, it also reaches out to good owners in temporary financial
duress.
Due to the serious nature of a horse in need, this
program is on a pager system and a service dispatcher responds to calls
quickly. Within one to 24 hours arrangements are made to provide the services
requested by the Animal Control Officer. A voucher may include one or all
of the services based on the Officer’s evaluation of the needs of each
animal at the location. The services available are 300 pounds of hay per
average size animal, one 50-pound bag of feed supplement, hoof trim,
teeth float, castration, euthanasia and carcass removal.
This program also provides a knowledgeable volunteer
onsite service provider that works directly with the owner on health care
and helps the owner realistically evaluate their ability to continue proper
care in future.
A recipient of a voucher is eligible for an additional
voucher by reducing their herd by 50%. By doing so, the owner qualifies
for a second assist of 600 pounds of hay and two 50-pound bags of feed
per average size equine for each of the remaining herd.
Because the voucher program relies on WA equine rescues
or foster facilities to take possession of equines in our program
when applicable, there are short-term services that can follow the equine
into these facilities if needed.
Education
“Cause & Effect” is a comprehensive publication
that gives a clear understanding on the necessary care required by equines.
This book is now available free to all WA State County AC officers to handout
to owners. Lack of basic care can cause life threatening health issues
and avoidable pain and suffering. The information within this booklet has
been provided by the American Association of Equine Practitioners and their
Educational Partners, Bayer Animal Health and Purina Mills, as well as
other professional authorities in the equine industry.
Topics are:
• Safe and Healthy Environment
• Fencing
• Hazards
• Shelter
• Stables
• Feed and Water
• Effective Parasite Control
• Skin Problems and Diseases
• Colic
• Dental Care
• Immunization
• Expectant Mare
• Foal Growth
• Stallions and Geldings
• Older Horse
• Donkeys
• Mules
• Miniatures
• No Foot - No Horse
• Restraining Equines
• Exhaustion and Overheating
• Body Condition Evaluation
• Emergency Care Guidelines
• Euthanasia
How YOU can help.
1) Report Neglect If you suspect neglect report it to your Animal Control Agency. Give a description of the animal and the street address where it is located. Do not approach the owner yourself. Ask for a follow up report.
2) Volunteer Only law enforcement has the power to put an equine owner on notice that they must improve the care they give to their animals. With the voucher the officer is giving the owner the ability to make the needed changes right away. Volunteers are necessary to do fundraising in the participating counties to keep this program active. Just a few hours a year of your time can make the difference for a suffering animal. Many hands make light work and yours are needed.
3) Donationsare tax deductible and a donation of any size will make a difference. RHAF’s programs have surpassed our expectation as they have been 100% successful. The average cost per assisted equine is $200 which includes extended care into a placement facility. The cost to the county on confiscations can run into the thousands.
4) Networking If you are unable to assist with this valuable program, please pass the information along to others.
County Contacts
To Start the program in your County
Wilma Tronstad, Programs Director CEO
360.424.8250 w.tronstad@verizon.net
* * * * Thank You * * * *
Ripley’s Horse Aid Foundation
1530 William Way #204
Mount Vernon, WA 98273