Foxtrotting Trail Riders Of Tennessee

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I saw some of this on the news last night, and then Sam sent me this article and the pictures.

I urge everyone of you to send an email to Representative Janis Sontany: rep.janis.sontany@capitol.tn.gov.
to encourage her and tell her that you stand behind her. I have heard that she has previously tried to get a bill passed that will protect horses and other livestock, and she couldn't even get it to the table for discussion.

The mug shots of Mr. Howland and his son show them both with a smile. Rep. Sontany made a comment that it should be the last time somebody can smile about doing this to animals.



Starved horses get attention of lawmaker
Bill would make abuse a felony
By Anne Paine . THE TENNESSEAN . December 2, 2009

State Rep. Janis Sontany of Nashville moved down the stalls one by one at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds on Tuesday, looking over 82 boney, near-starved horses and two mules.

Manes hung matted with cockleburs. Dehydration, misshapen hooves and wounds were evident.
One young mule, too weak to be revived, had died two days ago.
Two Cannon County men, from whose farm the animals were removed from last week, face misdemeanor charges.
Related

* Starving horses get help on Thanksgiving <http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091127/NEWS01/911270355/-1/ARCHIVE01>

Such horrific treatment of horses, or any confined animal, should be a felony, Sontany said, like it is when a dog or cat is abused.
She said she intends to file a bill in the coming legislative session to try to make it so.
"We no longer should give anyone a pass if they hold back food and water," Sontany said.
Farm animals were not included when a bill that addressed dog and cat abuse passed the legislature because of objections from farming community representatives, she said.
In this case, Charles Eugene (Gene) Howland and his son, Charles C. (Clint) Howland are scheduled for a court appearance Tuesday on misdemeanor animal cruelty charges, according to Cannon County Sheriff Billy Nichols. They are free on $1,500 bond each.
The district attorney is expected to file more charges, with evidence that the nonprofit groups taking care of the animals say they have gathered to document the neglect.
The Humane Society of the United States, working with United Animal Nations, estimates the cost of the rescue and work will run about $250,000, for which fundraising is needed.
Nichols thanked the groups and volunteers for taking on the grim rescue and recovery that was too large and pricey for his department alone.
About 40 horses were found last week inside a barn in atrocious condition, said Cannon County Detective Charlie Wilder.
Urine and manure lay so thick that he sank past his boots in it, he said. Ammonia stank so much, his lungs hurt.
"One dead horse was lying among the live ones," he said.
Other horses had been confined outside in an area with not enough grass for grazing, Sontany said.

"What do you think the outcome is going to be if you do that?" she asked.

Horses are improving
About 35 of the healthiest horses will be moved to an equine rescue group as early as next week, said Scotlund Haisley, senior director of emergency services for the Humane Society of the United States.
They'll be disbursed when they're ready and good homes are found.
Most won't be strong enough to be moved for three to four weeks, Haisley said.
Related

* Starving horses get help on Thanksgiving <http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091127/NEWS01/911270355/-1/ARCHIVE01>

"This started as a rescue operation <http://www.tennessean.com/section/videonetwork?bctid=52611918001> , and now it's a life-saving operation," he said. "It's miraculous that we've had as many survivors as we've had this far."
From the moment the horses arrived a week ago at the fairgrounds to clean individual stalls with food and water, they seemed to perk up, he said.
"We were in awe," he said, admitting he shed a few tears. "The resilience of these animals is outstanding."
During the first days of the rescue <http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091127/NEWS01/911270355/-1/ARCHIVE01> , volunteers had to help many horses stand up, though most are now staying on their own.
Donations for the horses and volunteers have continued to pour in, Haisley
said.
That has included getting the use of the fairgrounds, which has been indispensable, and veterinarian services, he said. More help is still being sought.
Tractor Supply Co. in Brentwood has contributed $5,000 and will give a truckload of Purina feed this week and a truckload of shavings for the stalls.
"To see what has happened with these animals is just painful," said John Wendler with Tractor Supply.

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Contact Anne Paine at 615-259-8071 or apaine@tennessean.com <mailto:apaine@tennessean.com> .

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Rep. Janis Sontany checks on one of the horses whose plight spurs her to seek stiff state penalties for abuse and neglect of farm animals. (LARRY MCCORMACK / THE TENNESSEAN)