MICHIGAN FOSTER GUARDIANS' PERSONAL TRIBUTES AS THEY SEND THEIR TREASURED TWIN PEAKS WILD HORSE CHARGES HOME TO CALIFORNIA

                 Onyx

  CORTEZ

         I was very moved by these communications I received from a couple of the generous-hearted/handed people who fostered a three of the starving Twin Peaks horses in Michigan  — and I know it sounds dramatic, but these horses really were starving; I do not say that lightly.  I wanted to simply share these with you...
        And as you read, know that they are leaving today for California. Coggins tests were done (a required blood test in order for horses to cross state lines), the horses were all brought to one location, and their trek home will be starting very soon.  Thanks to you...

L to R:  Onyx and Cortez

Hello Elyse...

I was forwarded an e-mail that contained the link to a blog about the Michigan Mustangs that are leaving this week back to California. My name is Joy Aten, and having done mainly TB racehorse rescue for years, I was thrust out of my comfort zone when I was needed to help with the Mustangs. It was truly heart breaking...yet amazing...to be in their presence, if only for a short time. I shared my heart and my home with Black Onyx and Cortez from June 22 to September 2. I quickly discovered how unique these wild and glorious creatures were, and decided to keep a journal of the "boys". I copied and pasted some of it for you below. Thank you so very much for your loving care and concern, and for doing what you can to let others know of this story of tragedy and triumph. I pray for the return of the other Michigan Mustangs to California soon.
Best,
Joy Aten
Hudsonville, Michigan

L to R: Cortez and Onyx,  recovering together at Joy's

         Their first few weeks with me, Onyx was very timid, always keeping Cortez between himself and me. At the end of their stay, Onyx would place himself closer to me. While I cleaned in their paddock and lean-to (which they would both stand in after about 3-4 weeks…Cortez tried it before Onyx, and at first, would only put his front feet in),  they would both come and stand close to me as long as I didn’t face them directly. Onyx would be 12-18 inches from me, with Cortez on the other side of him. I could move about cleaning up manure/hay, and they would just quietly stand there. I never touched them the entire stay, but I am sure they would not have allowed it if I had tried. There were times that I asked them to move away, as I needed to clean up where they were standing. Once Onyx kicked out at me with both hinds as I must have bustled about too fast to suit him. But if I just clucked, they would slowly move away.
         Ten weeks have past since the day they stepped cautiously out of the trailer and into my heart. Physically they have blossomed...their former dull, near-black coats now glisten in deep shades of rich, chocolate brown. I'm amazed at how they shine, given the fact that not one time has a brush touched their compact bodies. The bony prominences are gone, and the neglect they once endured is no longer evident. Yet all is not well with them. My own horses were in close proximity (not over a fence, but in range where they could easily see each other), but Onyx and Cortez never paid any attention to them…it was almost as if they weren’t even there. It was odd, especially because my horses would daily come to the corner of their own paddock to get as close as possible, straining to see what Onyx and Cortez were up to. But the two were indifferent and uninterested...there was never any playing or bucking...no running for the sheer joy of it...nothing.

          I have cried many tears for them, watching them in an enclosure where they didn't belong and in an environment they could never thrive in. An entire year has past since their lives were stolen from them, yet the troubled and unsettled look remains in their eyes...it is unlike anything I have ever seen. But at last, they are going home. I will miss them - I will hold them close forever - I will never stop telling their story.

           —o0o—

          My deepest thanks to Joy for (1) making her home and world a haven for these lost, starving animals who don't know their place anymore in the world (thank you, DreamCatcher that will soon change); and, (2) sharing her observations, insights, and heart. 
            Here are Duke and Cortez in June 2011.  We can see how bony Duke's croup (bony prominence/final third of his back approaching the tail) and pelvis are becoming, and how his withers (hump where a horse's neck joins his back) protrudes; and how very thin Cortez already is. 

 
          And now here are some unsolicited, very much appreciated comments from Linda Jackman, who fostered Duke for the last two months. . .


         Thought I'd share these photos of Duke, taken just minutes before he was loaded yesterday.  Isn't he just the most handsome boy ever?

         Just food for thought.... If anyone is hitting the "kill" pen on Friday mornings at Shipshewana and they run across a BLM mustang in the kill pen, we will take it in, for that matter any horse that needs saving..... I am feeling very needy today.... I just miss Duke so much, it's amazing even tho we only had him a short few months, what a impact he had on my life and he taught me a thing or two as well...
           As of 9 a.m. this morning, September 9, 2011, they are on their way home... 

           Thank you, Joy, Linda and John, all the foster guardians; Jodi Louth and the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition, who has been amazing, for everything you are doing for the horses.  God bless you each in all you do.

For the wild horses all, captive and free, and their humble burro friends,

all those who were, and those yet to be,

           Nickers,

           Elyse Gardner

        PRESS RELEASE

Wild Mustangs in Michigan Head Home to California
September 9, 2011 – For Immediate Release

Contact: Jodi Louth, MHWC – 734-476-2552; 

                Barbara Clarke, DreamCatcher --  530-260-0377

The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition (MHWC) announces the shipment of nine wild mustangs from a location in west Michigan to the DreamCatcher Wild Horse and Burro Sanctuary in California at approximately 9:00 am this moring, Friday, September 9^th, 2011.  The shipment of eight adult mustangs and one foal is expected to arrive at the northeastern California sanctuary approximately 48 hours after departure.   

The eight adult mustangs were part of an original shipment of 29 mustangs to Allegan County, Michigan in February of 2011. The mustangs were purchased by Wendi Bierling for approximately $20 each from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) after being captured during a roundup in California in August of 2010. 

               In May of 2011, Bierling contacted the MHWC Hay Bank for assistance in feeding the horses, but her application was denied after it was discovered during a mandatory site visit by MHWC volunteers that many of the horses in Bierling’s care were allegedly being grossly neglected, violating Michigan’s anti-cruelty statute. It was also discovered that Bierling allegedly intended to breed the mustangs, which is against MHWC’s policy for hay assistance

The MHWC contacted Allegan County Animal Control, which prompted an investigation and subsequent charge recommendation that Allegan County Prosecutor Fred Anderson refused to pursue. Approximately 16 of the mustangs remain under Bierling’s care and control despite numerous offers from the public to rehome the horses.

                “It was a bittersweet moment, watching the mustangs pull away in the truck this morning. We’re so happy for the nine that are going, but sad for the ones being left behind,” says Jodi Louth, Hay Bank Coordinator for the MHWC.  “All 29 mustangs and their foals should have been on the truck to California today.”

                   Barbara Clarke, wild horse expert and director of the 2,000-acre DreamCatcher Wild Horse and Burro Sanctuary in Ravendale, California, contacted the MHWC after hearing about the plight of the mustangs and offered them a permanent home as soon as the horses were healthy enough again to travel.

                   “We are only twenty miles from the Twin Peaks Horse Management Area where these horses were thriving prior to the BLM rounding them up,” says Clarke.  “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the horses back home where they belong and in an environment they are familiar with.  After all they have been through they deserve their freedom back.

                      View public facebook photo album of today’s events here (higher quality photos  available upon request).  The MHWC grants permission for any media use of photos.

View two short YouTube videos of horses leaving here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lmj0Jusb4c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBC2qlnd9go

The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition is committed to enhancing the lives of all equines in Michigan through education and assistance to the owners, and when necessary, the prosecution of persons who commit acts of cruelty against equines contrary to existing laws.

###

BITTERSWEET: TWIN PEAKS, CALIFORNIA, MUSTANGS STARVED IN MICHIGAN ARE HEADING HOME

  KEELEY AND EIGHT OTHER TWIN PEAKS HORSES STARVED IN MICHIGAN ARE COMING HOME TO CALIFORNIA— THANKS TO DREAMCATCHER SANCTUARY, GENEROUS SUPPORTERS, and MICHIGAN HORSE WELFARE COALITION

(My earnest gratitude to Jodi Louth of the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition and other committed California advocates for making their photos available to us.)  

          

MEET Keeley the day after her capture from the lush Twin Peaks, California wild horse range.  Notice (above right photo) the nicely rounded hip, the little heart-shaped indent in the middle of her spine (just to the right of her left eye) illustrating how filled out she was, how the muscle and flesh thoroughly cover and pad her spine.  This is a healthy horse "in good flesh."

Keeley managing to sustain her new foal,  Firehawk, 4 months later in Michigan, where she was allowed to starve along with most of the 28 other horses bought by Wendi Bierling.  Seriously underweight, her spine is clearly visible here and we can count individual ribs.  Her skeleton is evident and there is no curve or roundedness remaining anywhere.   This was the typical look of most of the horses left in Wendi Bierling's care.

FINALLY, an update on the Twin Peaks horses stranded in Michigan.  Of the original 29 horses who were sold to a woman in Michigan — claiming to have homes for them but who ended up abysmally neglected and starving —  eight horses and a new foal will next week be heading to west their forever home at for DreamCatcher Wild Horse and Burro sanctuary.   
         While the Allegan County Sheriff recommended prosecution of Wendi Bierling for her failure to care for or obtain veterinary care for these animals, the Prosecutor failed to act, and Ms. Bierling retained control of most of these animals.  She still has a chance to do the right thing by facilitating the return of the remaining horses in her control.  
           Two of the original 29 lost their lives in Michigan (see my earlier blog at Updated: Twin Peaks Horses Stranded and Starving in Michgan...) 
           Barbara Clarke, Director of the northern California, 2,000-acre wild horse and burro sanctuary, has worked hard and is committed to restoring the lives of the remaining horses by getting them home — or as close to home as possible.  DreamCatcher is only 20 miles from these horses' wild habitat which they were chased from by helicopter in August of 2010.  I defer to Barbara; let's hear it with her own words in this UPDATE she publicized on August 30:

UP DATE

Aug 30, 2011

Twin Peaks Horses Set to Come Home

Despite a plethora of obstacles determined to prevent the return of the Twin Peaks horses to California, we now have 3 geldings, 4 mares and one mare/foal pair set to head west.  If...we can raise the rest of the transport money.  And in these tough economic times this is going to be no small feat. 

So we are going to sweeten the deal by offering a Catherine Scott photo of the Twin Peaks horses to any donor giving at least $100 and for donations of at least $1000 a VIP tour of DreamCatcher, participation in our 2012 spring release of the horses onto summer grazing, and two night stay at the resort in Eagle Lake (donated) which is only 20min away.

We have been able to reduce the transport costs from $18,500 to $10,500 and we have already paid a nonrefundable $1000 deposit.  The final quote was given to us by Bob Hubbard Equine Transportation and includes a large and comfortable van which they are going to retrofit for the mustangs.  Hubbard is scheduled to pickup the horses in Michigan September 9 and they will arrive at DreamCatcher approximately 2 and a half days later.  Once here they will be immediately released into a large pasture area where they can run. roll and enjoy some freedom amongst the sights and smells they are familiar with.  They will be back HOME.

Those wishing to help us bring these horses back home may donate:

• On-line by going to our web site and click on the donate button www.dreamcatcherhorsesanctuary.org
• By mail:  DreamCatcher, PO Box 9, Ravendale CA 96123 or
• Call the office for a credit card donation 530-260-0148 

        Remember, this is a time sensitive situation since horses are scheduled to be picked up September 9th in Michigan.

The horses who are returning to California are listed below and you can see some photos on this link http://wherethewildhorsesare.blogspot.com/

# 1765 Keeley - red spot appy mare with appy colt

# 1994 no name - buckskin mare - dun colt not coming

# 1981 Jewel - sorrel mare

# 1755 no name - drk grey mare w/black mane - colt not coming

#  2006 chocolate brown pinto mare w/white spot on left side

# 1598 Duke - light dun buckskin gelding

# 1557 Onyx - black gelding star & cropped ear

# 1523 Cortez - black gelding w/4 white socks

While we were not able to get possession of the rest of the horses at this time, we - along with the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition - will be monitoring the situation and will come to the aide of any of the horses that may need us in the future.  We will not give up until we know all of the Twin Peaks horses are safe and happy.

Thank You For Caring

Barbara

Left:    Jewel at her worst, and getting ready to foal.  Her foal didn't survive
Right:  Gaining weight and strength, ready to make the trip.  Hang in there, Jewel, you are almost home.  

LATEST UPDATE 

     AS OF September 1, 2011, generous, caring people have taken action, and the $10,500 has more than been reached.  We cannot thank you enough!  

         If you still would like to be a part of restoring these horses and providing for their ongoing maintenance — the most expensive part of owning a horse — the invitation to give still stands, and so do the Thank-You Gifts as stated above, i.e.,  the tour of DreamCatcher Wild Horse and Burro Sanctuary, participation in the summer pasture release, and the Catherine Scott photo of the Twin Peaks horses to those who give as indicated above.   
         Additional donations will be used to purchase extra hay, put up new fencing for the new arrivals, and, best of all, some put aside for another future group of Twin Peaks horses stranded in Michigan to return home.  There are already stirrings in that direction, and we are committed to bringing each and every one back we can.  
         You can view the list of returning horses along with some photos at the Where the Wild Horses Are blog. 
PERSONAL UPDATE
          To my readers:  It's great to "see" you again!  This blog has been "silent" since July, but I have continued engaged for the wild horses as well as more personally involved with them than ever.  I have departed from California and am currently in Colorado in a remote area with inconceivably slow internet where it is difficult to even load photographs on this blog and nearly impossible to watch Youtube videos.
           But I am here with my mustang filly which BLM shipped all the way from Nevada to Nebraska back in May 2010 despite my being actively engaged in adopting her; that is another story I will share with you and Congress at another time.  
           Please do check in periodically as I will be updating and posting.   And the links at the front of this blog are vital in helping us continue to take action on behalf of the wild horses, who need us more than ever as BLM contemplates creating "nonreproducing herds" using permanent infertility methods (i.e., releasing large populations of geldings and/or spayed mares, a dangerous and costly procedure), which of course make these horses no longer wild populations, and thus BLM would be in violation of the law they are charged to carry out, i.e., managing wild horses in the wild with "minimum feasible" (the legal language) interference.  
For the wild horses, captive and free, and their humble burro friends,
all who were and those yet to be,
Elyse Gardner, Humane Advocate Observer

PUBLIC OUTRAGE THE RESPONSE AS MICHIGAN PROSECUTOR FAILS TO PROTECT TWIN PEAKS WILD HORSES

 I THOUGHT THERE WERE LAWS AGAINST THIS SORT OF THING

Majestic, muscled wild horses just four months ago, these intelligent, formerly self-reliant animals are treated like inanimate trash by Michigan Prosecutor Fred Anderson

as he forces them to remain in the control of the person who starved them.

Photo by Jonathan Gruenke/Gazette

 Meet Romeo the day of his capture in September 2010/BLM photo in public domain

Romeo on 6/8/11 after 4 months with Wendy Bierling, 

and under Sheriff's Dept. monitoring for 2 1/2 weeks. 

Has he been wearing this drag line for four months? 
These horses should be under the conservatorship of the Michigan Horse 
Welfare Coalition's experienced horsepeople, not the Allegan Sheriff's Department.
  

               (Romeo's ID is courtesy of Where the Wild Horses Are   (visit for well documented before-and-after photos of other Twin Peaks horses in Michigan hell. — Can you tell I'm not okay with this?)

Conrad Burns, R-Montana

               If you are new to this blog, please visit my previous blog post at this link for the background on these Twin Peaks horses.


LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF *"SALE AUTHORITY" HORSES
               BLM's policy of selling *sale authority horses en masse very cheap, thanks to the Burns Amendment of 2005, is the proximate cause  (legalese for "primary cause") for these abused horses' situation.  So although these Twin Peaks/ Michigan horses have riveted our attention, we can rest agitated that this goes on all the time, and worse.  
               Even some good people in the BLM were griefstricken when this law was passed because they understood that it makes it easy for profiteers to purchase these horses for any number of unwholesome purposes and that many horses would certainly be doomed to hellish ends because of it.  Senator Conrad Burns, a Montana rancher and anti-wild horse legislator, slipped his "rider" in late at night when our legislature was trying to conclude its business to go on break, and no one even realized it was attached to a bill that everyone already knew was going to pass.  It was slick, below-the-belt political maneuvering, but legal.  And the horses, as is historically always the case, are the ones who pay the price.
                 BTW:  Former Montana Senator Burns received substantial contributions from admitted felon and former super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff.  Burns received $137,000 in campaign contributions and PAC contributions from Abramoff, his lobbying firm and his Indian clients from 2000 to 2002. These donors contributed 42 percent of the total money received by Burns’ soft-money political action committee over the period. [Washington Post, 3/1/2005] He may still be indicted for taking bribes from convicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramhof.
(Source:  PublicCitizen "Hall of Shame")


*SALE AUTHORITY horse:  a horse age 10 or older; or, a younger horse who's been offered at three "adoption" events, including online, but has not been "adopted."

BACK TO THE PRESENT: TWIN PEAKS HORSES IN MICHIGAN
               I do know, however, that Wendi Bierling was frustrated in November 2010 because sale authority horses or not, BLM was requiring her to meet certain specifications, and she felt they were giving her a hard time.   Way to go, BLM.  Ms. Bierling contacted the advocate community looking for support in getting her load of sale authority horses from BLM. Personally, I was not comfortable with her or her plan and did not respond.  Several  BLM officials have told me they were uncomfortable with it at the time, and a top ranking official feels what she has done is "despicable" because "she let things go too long before asking for help."

               I encourage readers who are disturbed at Prosecutor Anderson's inaction to express your feelings to Allegan Prosecutor Fred Anderson, Allegan Sheriff's Dept. Lt. Baker, Animal Control, and to the Fox News team who covered this story at:  sheriff@allegancounty.org, animal-control@allegancounty.org, prosecutor@allegancounty.org, fanderson@allegancounty.org, capple@fox17online.com

Commander, proud, seasoned 25-year-old band stallion 

safe at Return to Freedom

Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition: No Celebrating for Michigan Mustangs this Holiday Weekend

For Immediate Release

June 30, 2011 – The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition (MHWC) wishes to express extreme disappointment with the decision by the Allegan County Prosecutor’s office today not to pursue any animal cruelty charges in the case of 25 wild Mustangs owned by Wendy Bierling in Allegan. The prosecuting attorney’s decision comes despite investigating officer Sgt. Kuhn’s recommendation of 16 counts of animal cruelty.

During a May 22^nd visit to Bierling’s farm, MHWC representatives witnessed what they felt to be a clear-cut case of animal neglect under the definition of Michigan’s anti-cruelty statute, and contacted Allegan County law enforcement to express their concern for the horses’ welfare. MCL 750.50 requires that animals receive adequate care, defined as “sufficient food, water, shelter, sanitary conditions, exercise and veterinary medical attention in order to maintain an animal in a state good health.”  The statute further defines “neglect” as failure to “sufficiently and properly care for an animal to the extent that the animal’s health is jeopardized.”

The visit from MHWC representatives was a standard site inspection upon receiving Bierling’s application for assistance through the coalition’s Hay Bank. The request was for hay to feed 25 of the original 29 wild Mustangs shipped to Bierling in February of 2011 from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which had rounded up the horses in California the previous August. All of the Mustangs shipped to Bierling were over the age of eleven.  

After assisting with the removal of a horse that was later assessed a body condition score of one  – the lowest score a horse can have and still be alive -- the MHWC confirmed with  Bierling’s own veterinarian that Bierling had never requested his own assessment or treatment of that horse. 

The MHWC provide investigators with an abundance of evidence showing what they felt to be neglect, including photos, veterinarian reports, and multiple eyewitness reports – all showing that Bierling was allegedly not feeding the horses or providing veterinary care. 

“Whether the horses came off the truck sick or not, that was over four months ago.  The bottom line is, these horses weren’t getting enough to eat.  Any horse will starve if they do not have food, and sick horses will continue to decline without veterinary care.  That’s why these provisions are mandated by law.  But what good are laws if they’re not enforced?” says Jodi Louth, MHWC Hay Bank Coordinator. 

“By failing to address what appears to be a clear case of animal neglect, Allegan County is essentially condoning such neglect and even encouraging it to continue. There is absolutely nothing to prevent Wendi Bierling from receiving another shipment of 29 mustangs, and we just hope that Allegan County officials are prepared to deal with it when that happens,” continues Louth.

Jill Fritz, MHWC secretary, adds: “The neglect of any animal, including horses, is explicitly prohibited under Michigan's animal cruelty statute. Financial hardship or lack of knowledge about proper horse care is not an excuse to ignore the law.” She continued, “Michiganders care about animals and want those who neglect or abuse them to be held accountable. The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition hopes that the Allegan County will join other county prosecuting attorneys who are aggressively pursuing charges against those who harm animals in our state.”

The MHWC and its Hay Bank were founded in January 2010 and has since helped to feed over 101 horses throughout Michigan.  

For more information, please visit www.michiganhorsewelfarecoalition.org.  

High quality photos of the Mustangs available upon request.  

See a You Tube video of the MHWC's visit here

###

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/06/allegan_mustang_owner_will_not.html

269/673-0280  Prosecuting Attorney Fred Anderson
5859 W. Saginaw Hwy, #273, Lansing, MI 48917  (517) 321-368

Response of Humane Observer Elyse Gardner to Michigan's failure to protect these horses

 Re: TWIN PEAKS HORSES IN MICHIGAN - RESPONSE TO PROSECUTOR'S

        ANNOUNCMENT THAT HE IS NOT FILING CHARGES           mailed to:    sheriff@allegancounty.org, animal-control@allegancounty.org,   prosecutor@allegancounty.org, fanderson@allegancounty.org, capple@fox17online.com, rparker@kalamazoogazette.com

To Prosecutor Fred Anderson and Other Respected Members of Our Public Trust,

I am profoundly disappointed in your handling of this matter involving Wendi Bierling and her obvious alleged criminal neglect of our Twin Peaks wild horses. It is difficult to comprehend the fear you all seem to have of taking action. The public trust suffers nearly as much as the horses when public officials see such egregious harm done and do nothing. This is very bad for public morale in these difficult times and results in young and old alike having no respect for the law, and, indeed, why should we? Michigan law requires the appropriate care, feed, housing, veterinary care, and general humane maintenance of animals, and the fact that Ms. Bierling never consulted her vet for a Hennecke Score 1 horse who was perfectly sound upon arrival tells us she was not providing anything close to this legal standard.

I believe your inaction may actually constitute actionable offenses under Michigan statute since you know more abuse is about to continue and turn a blind eye. Your failure to act will now cause direct suffering to at least 6 of these animals since Ms. Bierling plans to sell them to a Florida man, thereby subjecting them to an arduously long trip reliable sources say they are not yet ready to endure, only to arrive in a state known to have a penchant for horseflesh, illegal in the U.S. but practiced in Florida nonetheless.

I address also the blatant untruths told by the Prosecutor in his recent announcement stating Michigan authorities will continue to monitor these horses. I know Mr. Anderson has knowledge of Ms. Bierling's plans to sell these horses out of state on Saturday, July 2, yet he announced to the press that authorities will continue to monitor the horses. Really? I presume he meant for the next 48 hours. He has not returned either of my two calls although I informed him I was writing an article and would be glad to hear his perspective.

I hope the immorality of your inaction, as well as the illegality of it, strikes at your hearts, and perhaps in a fit of conscience, patriotism, compassion, and respect for the oaths of office you have taken will result in action that will protect these animals, and you will reconsider your decision promptly, and take action which will prevent the transfer of these animals beyond the protective reach of anyone who truly cares for them.

Very truly yours,

Elyse Gardner
Humane Advocate Observer

http://humaneobserver.blogspot.com 

Twin Peaks stallion with affectionate, playful son wanting attention

I received a copy of this terrific letter written by an advocate in Colorado and felt it should be included here because being a native of Switzerland, which has tremendous animal protection laws in place, she suggests positive measures Allegan, Michigan, and all of the United States can and should take to prevent recurrences of this nightmare for these depleted Twin Peaks wild horses. Here it is:

To Prosecutor Fred Anderson and Other Members of Our Public Trust

RE: Wendi Bierling / severely neglected horses in Michigan

I amongst thousands of others across the nation are extremely dismayed at the inaction of Michigan Prosecutor Fred Anderson. Please read on.

         Since the way a DA works is to prosecute only cases they can easily win with the least expenditure of funds -  in other words at election time, the DA must show a high number of convictions - one would think this case clearly calls for your duty to act, lucidly reflecting severe neglect, un-American and not tolerated by anyone with a conscience.

         This case could set the precedent to improve the much needed animal welfare laws in your area. It is very regretful that it always takes an animal to suffer extremely before any laws are changed. And the wheel of bureaucracy often is obscuring a simple outline of strict and applicable standards to protect animals from neglect and abuse, which is appalling.  Animals deserve to fall under the governance of strict protection laws, specially in a modern society such as America. Yet, the lack of protection pertaining to such laws is a pity. I often wonder why this country is so behind when it comes to protecting the innocent and helpless. Where I grew up, in Switzerland, they have now some of the best animal protection laws in the world, a very thorough 160–page animal protection law.  It governs everything from how much space owners must give their gerbils, to the water temperature for frogs.  It outlines that social animals such as pigs and birds must have companions and that horses and cows get regular exercise.  It even requires guardians of dogs to take a training course on how to care for their pets.  And of course the law also forbids cruelty and abuse. What that reflects is a high standards of education on animals, so people know more on the ownership and needs of said animals. 

           Animal abuse is a serious problem and recent occurrences have highlighted the need for examining this issue more closely to determine new strategies for preventing abuse and handling abuse cases. For this reason, your county ought to establish an Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force comprised of city officials, Animal Control, animal volunteer groups and the public to devise methods to better prevent and prosecute animal abuse, such as the case of Wendi Bierling. The Task Force could convene on a monthly basis and is responsible for making recommendations to the Mayor about ways to prevent the mistreatment of animals, and eradicate animal abuse altogether. Members could also be charged with developing additional recommendations regarding:

           • Legislation that will protect animals and prosecute abusers,

           • The training of law enforcement officials on how to handle animal cruelty cases humanely and to ensure how to acquire the best evidence to prosecute animal abusers,

           • Methods of increasing awareness of animal cruelty laws, 

           • Necessary steps to foster improved response to incidents of animal cruelty

           • Methods of improving training for Animal Control Officers for their protection as well as the animals.

           You could be optimistic that the efforts of this Task Force will help improve the tools available to law enforcement and prosecutors for handling these types of cases.  I ask that you consider the case of Bierling to be severe enough for you to act now - before history repeats itself again.

Sincerely,

Monika Courtney,

Evergreen, CO

CARING IS GREAT; ACTION IS BETTER. — Elyse Gardner

Thank you for speaking out for these horses.