NATIONAL THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION JOINS BATTLE TO END HORSE SLAUGHTER

December 9, 2003 Chris Heyde - (703) 836-4300
Scott Barnhart – (202)-661-6325
Hunter Bates - (502) 779-8600


National Horse Protection Coalition Commends NTRA for its Leadership

(Washington, DC) – In a strong indication that legislation to end the slaughter of horses in this country is gaining widespread support within the horse industry, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) has endorsed the legislation. NTRA has also committed its efforts to protecting the welfare of America’s horses.

“From the very beginning of our efforts to ban horse slaughter the NTRA has been supportive and committed to the cause,” says two time Kentucky Derby winning trainer and National Horse Protection Coalition spokesman, Nick Zito. “Their official endorsement of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act is a significant step towards ending a dark cloud over the industry and all horse lovers.”

Last year alone over 42,000 horses were slaughtered in the United State for human consumption abroad as a delicacy in one of the two remaining horse slaughterhouses located in Texas. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (HR 857), introduced in the US Congress by Congressman John Sweeney (R-NY) and Congressman John Spratt (D-SC) will ban horse slaughter in the US while ensuring horses aren’t exported for the same purpose. Over 150 Members of Congress have already joined in support of this important bill.

"The NTRA is the latest in a growing list of prominent horse industry organizations stating their support of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This sends a strong message to Congress that this bill is important, widely supported and the right thing to do,” said Zito. “I strongly urge anyone who cares about horses to contact their Member of Congress and ask them to support the legislation.”

Other groups supporting the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act include Churchill Downs Inc., Fasig-Tipton Co. Inc., New York Racing Association, New Jersey Racing Commission, Utah Quarter Horse Association and Hanover Shoe Farm. The bill is also widely supported by veterinarians, equine rescues, humane organizations and the American public.

---

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES OFFERS REWARD IN SECOND MALICIOUS ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE IN NORTH TEXAS

Dog Found Skinned Alive In Wylie, Texas Day After Burned Cat Found in East Dallas

DALLAS (November 24, 2003) The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the skinning and stabbing of a one-year-old female Australian Cattle Dog mix found on Farmers Market 6 near the towns of Josephine and Nevada, Texas on November 18. The dog survived this incredible ordeal.

The young dog, now named Josephine, was found last Tuesday by a concerned passerby and was taken to Wylie Animal Services, which soon contacted the Wylie Police Department. According to police, Josephine had been cut with what is believed to be a very sharp knife from one flank to the opposite flank. It is believed that the aggressor was attempting to skin the dog, as some of her skin had also been peeled away from her muscles.

According to Dr. Lisa Molidor of Windhaven Veterinary Hospital in Plano, Josephine also had a puncture wound in her back just below the laceration. Dr. Molidor stated that Josephine's prognosis is good, since she has no fever and is now able to eat, stand and walk unassisted. However, veterinarians are concerned with the possibility of infection because of the severity of the wounds.

The veterinary hospital is currently accepting donations to cover the costs of Josephine's medical bills, as no owner has come forward at this time. To make a donation, please contact Windhaven Veterinary Hospital at 972-403-7373.

It is amazing that Josephine did not die after being skinned and stabbed at the hands of a cruel and sick person, said Melissa DeLoach, program coordinator for the Southwest Regional Office of The HSUS. Animal cruelty, such as this, needs to be taken seriously. Anyone capable of such heinous acts can pose a very real threat to the community.

This is the second case of animal torture reported in North Texas in the same week. On November 17, in East Dallas, about 40 to 50 miles away from Wiley, a pet cat, Tiger, who had been burned and tortured, was found on the grounds of George W. Truett Elementary School in east Dallas by the school's principal. Tiger died from his injuries.

It is alarming that we have back to back cases of animal cruelty in one region, DeLoach said.

The First Strike® program, part of The HSUS Animals In Crisis program, educates communities about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence. The HSUS provides resources about the connection and what people can do to combat animal cruelty, such as starting a Neighborhood Watch for Animals. The HSUS also offers rewards in cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty. Go on-line to www.hsus.org/firststrike for more information.

The Collin County Sheriff's Department is vigorously pursuing this case. However, there are currently no leads in the case because it is not known exactly where Josephine was found on FM 6. If you are the person who first brought Josephine to the Wylie Animal Services Department, please contact the Collin County Sheriff's Department immediately. The investigation will be greatly helped if the crime scene can be investigated. Anyone with information about this case is asked to please contact Sergeant Robert Yeager at 972-547-5100.

Intentionally torturing an animal in Texas is a state jail felony, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if the person has previously been convicted two times under this section. A state jail felony is punished by confinement in a state jail for any term of not more than two years or less than 180 days, and in addition to confinement, an individual adjudged guilty of a state jail felony may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.

The HSUS is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than seven million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. For nearly 50 years, The HSUS has protected all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork.

The non-profit organization is based in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices across the country. The HSUS Southwest Regional Office serves Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

 For More Information Contact: Melissa DeLoach:  972-488-2964 or Karen Allanach:  301-548-7778

 

---

Here is the most recent ad for the bill that ran in The Blood-Horse magazine.  Actually, the horse in this picture has been retired to a farm in upstate NY where is lives today.

 

Man charged with animal cruelty in dog's death

Officials say videotape shows him encouraging his 2 pit bulls to attack

08:16 AM CDT on Thursday, October 23, 2003

By JAIME JORDAN / The Dallas Morning News

A Dallas man was charged with felony cruelty to animals after he was videotaped encouraging two of his pit bulls to fatally maul a neighbor's dog, city officials said.

Carey D. McMillian, 22, was arrested Tuesday after Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals officials gave the videotape to Dallas police, said Scott Tims, a city spokesman.

Mr. McMillian posted $3,500 bail on the charge, but he remained in jail Wednesday night on unrelated charges and could not be reached for comment.

If convicted on the cruelty charge, he could face up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

A witness, who has not been identified, videotaped Mr. McMillian on September 25 as he encouraged the pit bulls to attack a neighbor's Australian shepherd-mix dog in the 10400 block of Castlerock Drive in Pleasant

Grove, said Dave Garcia of the SPCA.

The video showed the two pit bulls mauling the dog while Mr. McMillian watched, Mr. Garcia said.

The tape also showed Mr. McMillian dragging the dog by its hind legs into an alley after the attack, Mr. Garcia said.

"During the whole time the dog is still alive," Mr. Garcia said. "You can hear it screaming as they are mauling it, gasping for air and whimpering as he dragged it off and into the alley."

Kent Robertson, division manager of Dallas Animal Services, who has been investigating complaints of animal cruelty for about 30 years, said he suspected that Mr. McMillian was training the dogs to fight.

"That's what I think was going on there, but it's alleged at this point, so we'll see what the evidence shows," he said.

According to witness reports, Mr. McMillian put the dog in the yard, Mr.Robertson said.

He said people who train dogs to fight sometimes use small dogs and cats to bait their dogs into becoming more aggressive. A hearing within the next 10 days will determine what will be done with one of the pit bulls and seven puppies, which are now at a city shelter, Mr. Robertson said. Mr. McMillian told authorities the other pit bull was dead.

"We definitely don't want him to have these animals back," he said.

"We'll be very careful what we do with these animals."

E-mail jjordan@dallasnews.com