My husband and I own a big horse farm and while at my sister in laws the other day we came upon her neighbors 2 horses set way back off the road out of view. My sister in law wanted me us to take a look at them so we walked her property line that abutts theirs. Well, as you can guess these 2 horses were badly abused. Extremely thin and when I was there they was not a trace of hay. grain or water. They were also standing in knee deep mud in an electrified fence pasture with absoluely no dry area or grass. My sister in law said she checked on them daily and rarely saw any hay for them. I decided to put a call in to our local animal control officer to have the proper authorities check it out. Little did I know that this officer would give these people me and my husbands names!! The owner of the horses just left here after giving me and my husband an earful. I thought that these were anonomous complaints when you reported abuse? Now I'm asking myself if I did the right thing. They gave her a warning I guess, but she's ticked and now knows our names and where we live, only a 1/2 mile from her!!!
animal cruelty and reporting
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eminenz2
Cathlete
That officer was incorrect in his/her actions - S/he should have *never* have revealed the your name.
A neighbor of mine has two horses as well. While out in my backyard one winter aftenoon I noticed there was no hay or water in the enclosure, and no place to get out of the elements. I called animal control, and did not have to give my name or address, but the address of the neighbor.
Animal Control even called back the next day to give me an update on the horses! Luckily, everything turned out fine!
However, you *always* do the right thing when you speak up for those that can't speak for themselves. So a heartfelt "Thank you!" from All Creatures Great and Small!
A neighbor of mine has two horses as well. While out in my backyard one winter aftenoon I noticed there was no hay or water in the enclosure, and no place to get out of the elements. I called animal control, and did not have to give my name or address, but the address of the neighbor.
Animal Control even called back the next day to give me an update on the horses! Luckily, everything turned out fine!
However, you *always* do the right thing when you speak up for those that can't speak for themselves. So a heartfelt "Thank you!" from All Creatures Great and Small!
Prickly Pear
Cathlete
That was actually, completely against policy. I think I would call back and ask for the chief. Do you know what officer you dealt with? Is there animal control in your area?
Wow, I'm really surprised that they gave them your name! But you did the right thing regardless.
Sparrow
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
Sparrow
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
carrie123
Cathlete
You definately did the right thing. I have turned someone in before as well, and "No" they are not supposed to give out names, and for the record, the supervisor of that officer should be notified, because giving out names like that prevents others from stepping forward, leaving alot of helpless creatures left to fend for themselves...
This also creates an atmosphere, (animals, children, domestic etc)
that can spill over into that category where "people just don't want to get involved"...for fear of their names given and not knowing how the other people who were questioned will react?
If you're up to it, the supervisor of that officer should be notified to correct this unfortunate mistake this officer is apparently is unaware of.
Carrie - huge animal affairs advocate
This also creates an atmosphere, (animals, children, domestic etc)
that can spill over into that category where "people just don't want to get involved"...for fear of their names given and not knowing how the other people who were questioned will react?
If you're up to it, the supervisor of that officer should be notified to correct this unfortunate mistake this officer is apparently is unaware of.
Carrie - huge animal affairs advocate
ldy_solana
Cathlete
i wouldn't be afraid to call the higher up and say what happen. and tell those abusers too that YOU will keep filing complaints until they have learned what its like to take care of animals. if you can't take care of and feed these wonderful creatures properly, then don't own them. my former landlord was like this but fortuantly for us, the officer did keep it anonomous. you did the right thing b/c animals can't speak up for themselves liek we can, so its up to us to say enough!!
kassia
http://www.picturetrail.com/ldy_solana
"And do what thee wilt as long as ye harm none"
kassia
http://www.picturetrail.com/ldy_solana
"And do what thee wilt as long as ye harm none"
carrie123
Cathlete
Forgive the grammical error above; crazy keyboard fingers have a mind of their own sometimes, they got away from me again
Carrie
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Carrie
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You absolutely did the right thing! Please don't give it a second thought. Thank goodness for those who speak up. The animal control officer broke policy by giving your name. Could they be friends? I would call and report that to the supervisor and be sure it is documented on paper. If the owner of the horses comes around again I would document that with the local sherriff dept. too. If you keep a paper trail it will really help in the future to back up your case and the wrongs against you if harrassed. Meanwhile please keep watch over those horses. That sounds like a miserable life for them.
PS When you report abuse they have to take your name. When the dept. has more than one source of complaints they take them more seriously, plus it helps to ensure the complaint doesn't come from someone w/ a history of problems with the offender. Fileing a complaint to get back at someone. I called against someone and their mistreatment of dogs. Turns out I was not the only one to complain and my name was NOT given to the dogs owner.
PS When you report abuse they have to take your name. When the dept. has more than one source of complaints they take them more seriously, plus it helps to ensure the complaint doesn't come from someone w/ a history of problems with the offender. Fileing a complaint to get back at someone. I called against someone and their mistreatment of dogs. Turns out I was not the only one to complain and my name was NOT given to the dogs owner.
alsrnbsn
Cathlete
You, TOTALLY did the right thing in reporting the abuse/neglect. The person taking the complaint was TOTALLY in the wrong for revealing your names, much less your address to the owner! I would speak with the supervisor and get it cleared up. Granted, the owner is pretty ticked right now, but chances are that it's because she knows she in the wrong and she got caught!
What's the point of keeping animals if you aren't going to take care of them????
What's the point of keeping animals if you aren't going to take care of them????
I used to live in a community of horse farms. I love horses and cannot stand to see them abused/neglected. Across the road from us was a farm where they were very abusive to the horses. Punishing them by leaving them in a small paddock with no food or water. The horses were Paso Fino's from Puerto Rico. After watching them beat and starve the horses for a week I walked over there myself and told them in English AND in Spanish who I was, where I lived and that I was calling animal control on them. I then did exactly that. They glared at me for awhile and I am sure it was they who started messing with our fence line and opening our gates while our horses were out. But locks and vigilance on our part prevented any serious trouble from them. It was SO worth it to see that they stopped beating the horses (where I could see it) and started feeding them as they should be fed. The whole time I lived there animal control came out regularly to check on them. It was great. I understand some people having a desire for anonymity in these situations. That's just not how I do business.