Genie
Well-Known Member
A Pennsylvania man who has previously been prosecuted for animal abuse faces 38 new animal cruelty charges in connection with the neglect of 11 ponies and a donkey. Joseph Mayer, owner of Hallo Stables in Easton, Pa., is accused of failing to provide adequate food, water, and veterinary care for the animals living on the property.
Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA) investigators removed the animals from the property Dec. 13 after neighbors discovered a pony lying dead alongside the road nearby. The surviving animals are now in foster care.
"He received 36 citations for the live animals, and two additional ones for the dead pony," said PSPCA spokesperson Kimberly Wolf.
Mayer was convicted on similar horse-related cruelty charges in 2001, but was allowed to keep the animals involved. A similar case in 2004 was resolved by a plea deal.
"Approximately five years ago, the Monroe County SPCA seized several horses from the property and the owner was prosecuted for animal cruelty," said PSPCA Director of Investigations George Bengal. "The judge ruled in the owner's favor and the horses were returned to his care."
However, Mayer's history is unlikely to figure in the case. Pennsylvania law reserves the strongest animal cruelty penalties only for repeat dog and cat abusers.
Attorney Stephan Otto, director of Legislative Affairs for the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), said that while most states don't treat horse abuse differently than small animal, Pennsylvania is an exception.
Pennsylvania ranks 38th on ALDF's ranking of state cruelty laws.
Mayer is slated for arraignment next week. He was unavailable for comment.
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The above is an article from a Horse website and it points to a need for stronger laws with regard to the treatment of horses. See in the article where repeat abuse of dogs and cats are treated more severly. They keep letting this person own horses?????????????
If our forum friends in Pennsylvania can find a way for horse people to inundate them with requests to treat horses with the same respect as their dogs and cats, I for one would be happy to respond.[/b]
Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA) investigators removed the animals from the property Dec. 13 after neighbors discovered a pony lying dead alongside the road nearby. The surviving animals are now in foster care.
"He received 36 citations for the live animals, and two additional ones for the dead pony," said PSPCA spokesperson Kimberly Wolf.
Mayer was convicted on similar horse-related cruelty charges in 2001, but was allowed to keep the animals involved. A similar case in 2004 was resolved by a plea deal.
"Approximately five years ago, the Monroe County SPCA seized several horses from the property and the owner was prosecuted for animal cruelty," said PSPCA Director of Investigations George Bengal. "The judge ruled in the owner's favor and the horses were returned to his care."
However, Mayer's history is unlikely to figure in the case. Pennsylvania law reserves the strongest animal cruelty penalties only for repeat dog and cat abusers.
Attorney Stephan Otto, director of Legislative Affairs for the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), said that while most states don't treat horse abuse differently than small animal, Pennsylvania is an exception.
Pennsylvania ranks 38th on ALDF's ranking of state cruelty laws.
Mayer is slated for arraignment next week. He was unavailable for comment.
******************************************************************************************
*******************************************
The above is an article from a Horse website and it points to a need for stronger laws with regard to the treatment of horses. See in the article where repeat abuse of dogs and cats are treated more severly. They keep letting this person own horses?????????????
If our forum friends in Pennsylvania can find a way for horse people to inundate them with requests to treat horses with the same respect as their dogs and cats, I for one would be happy to respond.[/b]