abuses ponies

[Genie]

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]

 

[Riverdance]

How horrible!!

Why do they let him keep owning any animals?

 

[Miniv]

That's ridiculous! How can they NOT take his previous history into account???? Sounds like Pennsylvania needs to adjust its animal abuse laws!

 

[Birchcrestminis]

Someone needs to send that judge that ruled in the owners favor

a blown up picture of that dead pony !!

 

[Filipowicz Farm]

How terrible hope the laws change

 

[shorthorsemom]

In ALDF there are 3 tiers. Pa falls in the middle tier.

There are different ways of reporting abuse. In Pa. when you report abuse a case is started. It is monitored and if the owner does not comply with the law the animals may be removed from the owner. Complicated process I am just highlighting. I have dedicated friends that work for LAPS, (large animal protection society) in Pennsylvania and they spend countless hours for the protection of large animals and the education of ignorant owners. Google LAPS in Pa. to read more about their organization. These people work hard to make a difference and are working hard to change things within the sytem. Many horses and ponies have been saved and removed from horrible situations and fostered and eventually adopted. They could use some more volunteers and donations to suport their cause but from what I have seen they are making a big impact and still growing