WashingtonWatch.com - WashingtonWatch.com

WashingtonWatch.com - WashingtonWatch.com

WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 6598, The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008

WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 6598, The Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008

MEXICO STOP THE HORRIFIC CRUELTY! - The Petition Site

MEXICO STOP THE HORRIFIC CRUELTY! - The Petition Site

CONGRESS ADDRESSING HORSE SLAUGHTER CRUELTY IN NEW FEDERAL LEGISLATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Congress Addressing Horse Slaughter Cruelty in New Federal Legislation (July 25, 2008) – A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers has introduced legislation to ban the slaughter of American horses for human consumption overseas, as well as the export of American horses to other countries for slaughter. House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) introduced the bill, H.R. 6598, known as the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008. In addition to Conyers and Burton, the original co-sponsors of the legislation include Reps. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Bobby Scott (D-Va.), Jim Moran (D-Va.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Betty Sutton (D-Ohio). The legislation has strong support from The Humane Society of the United States and other animal protection organizations. “Every day the Congress waits, there will be more torment and more suffering for America’s horses,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “The horse is an American icon, and it is a betrayal of our responsibility to these animals to treat them like cheap commodities and send them across our borders for slaughter. We ask leaders in Congress for an up or down vote before the end of the session.” State legislatures have recently acted to ban horse slaughter, shuttering the last remaining foreign-owned horse slaughter plants in the U.S., but Congress has failed to act to stop the export of live horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. More than 45,000 horses have been sent across U.S. borders to slaughter in Canada or Mexico so far in 2008, surpassing the number of exports to date in 2007. Past congressional actions on horse slaughter have demonstrated a strong, bipartisan desire to prohibit killing horses for human consumption. In the 109th Congress, legislation to stop horse slaughter passed the House of Representatives numerous times by a margin of more than 100 votes, and passed the Senate by a more than two-to-one margin. But so far in the 110th Congress, the existing legislation, H.R. 503 by Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), and John Spratt (D-S.C.), and S. 311 by Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.), has not yet been enacted because it has been blocked by House committee leaders and Western senators. Animal advocates hope the new bill will advance quickly in Chairman Conyers’ House Judiciary Committee. Butchering horses is a particularly cruel end for these loyal and trusting creatures. The HSUS documented the cruelty and abuse when investigators followed “killer buyers” transporting horses thousands of miles from auctions to feedlots to interstate highways. They also documented a barbaric method of slaughter on a kill floor in Juarez, Mexico. Thousands of horses are stabbed with short knives, a method that leaves them paralyzed and unable to breathe. The animals are still conscious as they are hoisted up by a chain and their throats slit. The HSUS is joined by members of Congress, the National Show Horse Registry, American Horse Defense Fund, Veterinarians for Equine Welfare, United States Equine Sanctuary & Rescue, American Walking Pony Association, American Indian Horse Registry, Palomino Horse Association, United States Eventing Association, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, National Steeplechase Association, Churchill Downs, and more than 500 endorsing organizations along with the majority of Americans in support of the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act. Timeline: September 2007 - A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit unanimously upholds the Illinois state law banning the slaughter of horses for human consumption in that state. May 2007 – Governor Rod Blagojevich signs H.B. 1711, banning horse slaughter in Illinois. May 2007 – The U.S. Supreme Court announces that it denies to consider an appeal of the lower court decision upholding Texas’ ban on the sale of horsemeat for human consumption. April 2007 – U.S. House of Representatives passes H.R. 249 to restore a decades-old ban on the commercial sale and slaughter of wild horses first enacted under the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971. House vote: 277-137 April 2007 – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee voted 15-7 to approve S. 311 to ban horse slaughter and exports of horses for slaughter. March 2007 - A federal district court orders the U.S. Department of Agriculture to stop inspecting horsemeat at the Cavel International slaughter plant, effectively closing the last operating horse slaughtering operation in the United States. March 2007 – The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirms decision upholding a Texas state law banning the sale of horsemeat for human consumption. September 2006 – U.S. House of Representatives passes H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. The 109th Congress adjourns before the Senate can consider the bill. House vote: 263-146 September 2005 – U.S. Senate approves the Ensign-Byrd Amendment to the FY 2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill to prohibit the use of tax dollars to pay for inspections of horsemeat. Senate vote: 69-28 June 2005 – U.S. House of Representatives approves the Sweeney-Spratt-Rahall-Whitfield Amendment to the FY 2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill to prohibit the use of tax dollars to pay for inspections of horsemeat. House vote: 269-158 May 2005 – U.S. House of Representatives approves the Rahall-Whitfield Amendment to the FY 2006 Interior Appropriations Bill to restore federal protections from commercial sale and slaughter to wild horses and burros. House vote: 249-159. The provision is stripped in conference from the final bill. -30- Video footage from The HSUS’ horse slaughter investigations can be viewed and downloaded for broadcast or news websites at http://video.hsus.org Media Contact: Kristen Everett, 301-721-6440, keverett@humanesociety.org The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org. The Humane Society of the United States 2100 L Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037 humanesociety.org Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty

Save Cloud and His Wild Herd - The Petition Site

Save Cloud and His Wild Herd - The Petition Site

Beautiful Song to support our horses

RACING FOR TIME

WAMI award winning vocalist Ronnie Nyles and WAMI Nominee songwriter/producer, Debra Lopez release “Racing For Time”, in quest of raising public awareness for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.

“Racing For Time”, tells the sad story of a racehorse who loses his best friend to slaughter only because he couldn't run fast enough to win races. He quickly realized with fear that he also may be
running for his life."

Americans Against Horse Slaughter....PLEASE GET INVOLVED!

HOME ABOUT NEWS PRESS CONTACT
Americans Against Horse Slaughter is a non-funded, grassroots movement comprised of supporters of a federal ban on the slaughter of American horses for human consumption. More about us...

Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Americans Against Horse Slaughter Merchandise is HERE!!
AVAILABLE NOW!!
Americans Against Horse Slaughter Merchandise is now available at our online store! Click the link below to shop the store! http://www.americansagainsthorseslaughter.com/index.php?URL=http://www.cafepress.com%2FAAHSmerchandise
Posted by Debra Lopez on 06/04 at 04:35 PM News • (1) Comments • Permalink
Americans Against Horse Slaughter Anthem
Americans Against Horse Slaughter Anthem
Posted by Kelly Brown on 06/04 at 12:08 PM News • Videos • (0) Comments • Permalink
Monday, July 28, 2008
PLEASE SUPPORT 6598 - CONYERS-BURTON PREVENTION OF EQUINE CRUELTY ACT OF 2008

Posted by Debra Lopez on 07/28 at 02:53 PM News • (0) Comments • Permalink
NEW HOPE FOR AMERICA’S HORSES!!! ACT BEFORE JULY 31ST
July 28, 2008
Congress Turns Up the Heat on Animal Cruelty and Brings New Hope for Horses
Dear Friend,
I am delighted to bring you exciting news from our nation’s capital. The U.S. House Judiciary Committee will hold a congressional hearing this Thursday, July 31, on two brand new, animal protection bills: one to stop the slaughter of horses for human consumption, and one to track animal cruelty crimes. We need your help getting these new bills started with a bang and building as much congressional support as possible starting right now.
Please take action and urge your representative to track animal cruelty crimes and protect horses!
Similar to the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503/S. 311), the new Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2008 (H.R. 6598) will prohibit the sale and transport of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption, including horses exported over long distances to Mexico and Canada. Since this new bill was introduced by Judiciary Committee Chairman Conyers and specifically addresses the extreme cruelty inherent in horse slaughter, it has the potential to move quickly through the process if we can build up enough congressional support. H.R. 503, the anti-slaughter bill we’ve advocated for in the past, seems stalled, and H.R. 6598 has a better chance of being enacted. Please help us build support for our horses.
The Animal Cruelty Statistics Act of 2008 (H.R. 6597), also introduced by Chairman Conyers with Rep. Elton Gallegly, will require the Department of Justice to make the collection of data on all animal cruelty crimes a priority. Tracking animal abuse, which often is associated with family violence and other crimes, will boost efforts to interrupt the violence cycle. With this information, law enforcement and others can intervene earlier and more effectively to protect animals, children, and families.
TAKE ACTION It is essential that we gather as many co-sponsors as possible for these two bills. Please make a brief, polite phone call to your U.S. Representative, before Thursday to ask Rep. Ryan to co-sponsor the Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act and the Animal Cruelty Statistics Act.
When you call, you will speak to a staff member who can pass your message along to your legislator. Please be polite and professional, and leave your name and address so it is clear that you are a constituent. You can say:
“Hello, my name is [your name] and I live in [your town]. As a constituent, I’m calling to urge Representative Ryan to co-sponsor two important new bills: H.R. 6598, the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act, to prevent horses from being cruelly slaughtered for human consumption; and H.R. 6597, the Animal Cruelty Statistics Act, to require the Department of Justice to collect data on animal abuse crimes.”
After making your call, send a follow-up email to urge your Representative to protect horses. Then, send a follow-up email to urge your Representative to require tracking animal cruelty crimes.
Thank you for all you do for animals.
Sincerely,
Wayne Pacelle President & CEO The Humane Society of the United States
Posted by Debra Lopez on 07/28 at 02:18 PM News • (0) Comments • Permalink
Page 1 of 11 pages 1 2 3 > Last »
Categories
News
Call for Action
Press
Videos
Rescued Horses
Links
John Holland's Blog
Monthly Archives
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
March 2008
February 2008
Complete Archives
Category Archives
Most recent entries
Americans Against Horse Slaughter Merchandise is HERE!!
Americans Against Horse Slaughter Anthem
PLEASE SUPPORT 6598 - CONYERS-BURTON PREVENTION OF EQUINE CRUELTY ACT OF 2008
NEW HOPE FOR AMERICA’S HORSES!!! ACT BEFORE JULY 31ST
CONGRESS ADDRESSING HORSE SLAUGHTER CRUELTY IN NEW FEDERAL LEGISLATION
WE MUST TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO END HORSE SLAUGHTER
HELP US PASS HR6598 TO PROTECT OUR HORSES FROM SLAUGHTER
Members:
Login
Register
Member List
Become a citizen co-sponsor of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act today!

Copyright © 2008 Americans Against Horse Slaughter, All Rights Reserved CONTACT HOME

VEW Releases White Paper on Horse Slaughter

Washington, DC (January 9, 2008) – Veterinarians for Equine Welfare (VEW) has just issued a new white paper entitled “Horse Slaughter – Its Ethical Impact and Subsequent Response of the Veterinary Profession.” The white paper was created to address misinformation being circulated by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and other organizations opposing a potential ban on horse slaughter in the US and exportation of horses for slaughter.

In December of 2007 several VEW veterinarians met with legislators in Washington, DC to discuss the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503/S. 311), a bill that will prohibit the slaughter of horses in the US or their export for the same purpose. They were shocked by the amount of misinformation purposely being spread by the AVMA and groups including the horse slaughterhouses themselves who are all part of a coalition called the Horse Welfare Coalition.

To address this, VEW has released a white paper clearing addressing the inaccuracies. The paper contains detailed supporting information, something largely absent from materials produced by the pro-horse slaughter advocates.

“I submitted a letter to the editor of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in response to the AVMA’s latest ‘fact sheet’ on horse slaughter but it was rejected,” stated Dr. Nick Dodman a co-founder of VEW. “It is a shame to see a professional organization work so hard to undermine something such as the horse slaughter ban based on speculation and unsubstantiated information.” Dr. Nick Dodman went on to say, “as veterinarians we are bound a code of ethics to prevent animal suffering, not hinder animal protection measures in order to promote economic interests.”

A recent release from the AVMA points to the dramatic increase of horses being sent to slaughter in Mexico from the US. While the increase is disconcerting, advocates of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act have always indicated this would happen without passage of the federal ban. It has been because of opposition to the bill by the AVMA and other pro-horse slaughter groups that the federal ban has thus far failed to pass. . Had they worked with those advocating the humane treatment of horses, horse slaughter and the export of horses to Mexico would have been halted years ago and enormous animal suffering would have been relieved.

“It is time to stop the rhetoric and political backhanded tricks that have been blocking passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503/ S. 311),” said Dr. Theo Antikas, another co-founder of VEW. “We must all work together for positive change that will help end the suffering of tens of thousands of American horses.”

To view “Horse Slaughter – Its Ethical Impact and Subsequent Response of the Veterinary Profession”, click here: http://www.vetsforequinewelfare.org/white_paper.php


##30##
FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Email: info@vetsforequinewelfare.org

A New Year, A Great Plan

Please make the calls needed below and remember to keep calling Congress each day. Help end their suffering!

This is a brilliant plan by John Holland who has been a very big voice for our horses and is so well respected in America for his involvement to stop horse slaughter. I am honored to work along side him as we put an end to transport and slaughter of our horses.

Finally, we are receiving the press, thanks to John.

http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2008/01/024.shtml

US anti horse slaughter lobby to target key groups

January 5, 2008

The increasingly powerful anti-slaughter lobby in the United States has signalled its intention to target two major US horse bodies over their pro-slaughter stance.

In their sights are the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).

The anti-slaughter lobby has succeeded in getting the three abattoirs that slaughtered horses for human consumption shut down.

However, they are concerned that federal law still allows the shipping of horses across the borders into Mexico and Canada for slaughter.

Cruel slaughter practices have been exposed in Mexico.

They are seeking a federal law change to not only outlaw slaughter, but prevent American horses being shipped beyond its borders for slaughter.

Organiser John Holland said it was time the anti-slaughter movement went on the offensive.

He accused pro-slaughter advocates of setting up phony "welfare" organisations and using the offices of organisations such as the AVMA and the AQHA to "project an agenda that has no motivation but greed".

"Since their position has no morally acceptable justification, they simply create one.

"Most recently they are getting third-rate reporters to pump out completely fabricated stories like the ones about horses being abandoned around the country.

"Having produced this documentary 'proof', they trolled the darkest recesses of the bowels of congress to find someone who would have no problem with propagating their poison. The most recent denizen to emerge to their beckoning calls was Senator Larry Craig.

Senator Craig, he said, had stained the Senate floor with objections based on "stories so rank that no self respecting dead fish would be found wrapped in them".

Mr Holland said playing defense had no upside and was merely damage control.

"We must be ready to counter this detritus, but that alone is not enough."

He accused the AVMA and AQHA of hypocrisy and deceit. "We must take the battle to them on ground they think safe."

Anne Russek, the director of media relations for the Virginia Equine Council, described the American Quarter Horse Association as one of the main suppliers to and supporters of the horse slaughter industry and one of the main opponents to the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA).

"Pro-horse slaughter organisations such as the American Quarter Horse Association have been working hard to mislead Congress and employ underhanded tactics to block the will of the majority of Congress and the American people," she said.

"While the AQHA argues it opposes the AHSPA because there is a so-called 'unwanted horse problem' it is the main producer of foals in the US - with tens of thousands of new registrations every year - and is actively promoting the mass breeding of more foals.

"This irresponsible breeding programme rewards the bottom feeders of the horse industry such as killer buyers and assorted auction racketeers."

The AQHA, she argued, was more concerned about protecting "hefty profits" obtained by certain mass breeders through slaughter and "keeping pace with several anti-animal agribusiness lobby groups".

The council has organised a campaign in which it asks anti-slaughter supporters to contact NBC's Oklahoma City affiliate KFOR to objects to its intended broadcasting of the AQHA's World Championship Reining Show on January 12.

She also urged lobbyists to contact the station's headquarters in New York to lodge similar objections.

John Holland said the AVMA can expect to feel heat, too, from the anti-slaughter movement.
"When we are done, no veterinarian will want the AVMA decal to deface his or her door," he said.

"None of this will change our ongoing work on Congress. That has become a well oiled machine. It is simply a matter of making these organisations realize they will find us pulling back the covers in everything they do."

Horse slaughter in the news

Into a New Year

I am as frustrated as any other person who has fought to ban transport and slaughter of our American Horses.

Quit is NOT a word in my vocabulary and I will be more determined to make sure these bills are passed by Congress this year.

Please call Congress at 800-828-0498 or 800-459-1887. Ask to speak to your State Representative and Senators. As them to please co sponsor the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA). As far as I know, the bill numbers are still the same H.R. 503 in the House of Representatives and S. 311 in the Senate.

If you have a few minutes, please write a letter and email it to the media. Request them to please do a story and speak on behalf of the 80% of Americans who want slaughter and transportation to slaughter stopped in America.

I feel the media can get us an early vote and stop the brutal transport and murders of our horses.

Thank you all who have helped us get this far, we need you all to keep speaking for those who have no voice.

Warrant issued for driver and owner of horses in fatal Wadsworth accident

I would have liked to have seen more severe charges, but for now, at least these horses are receiving recognition for the nightmare they have been through. For those we lost, you are forever in our hearts and we will stop transport in your memory.

www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-horses_webjan05,0,2470954.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout

chicagotribune.com

Arrest warrants issued for owner, truck driver of horses in trailer crash

Driver, horse owner face multiple counts of animal cruelty

By Andrew L. Wang

Tribune staff writer

9:14 PM CST, January 4, 2008

Lake County authorities have issued an arrest warrant for the owner of dozens of Belgian draft horses involved in a trailer accident that killed 19 of the animals.

Keith Tongen, 49, of Brownton, Minn., who has surrendered ownership of the horses, was charged in a warrant issued Wednesday with four misdemeanor counts of cruel treatment of animals and one count of failure to provide humane care and treatment of animals, according to court records.

The truck's driver, James Anderson, 34, faces identical charges, according to his warrant.

No one answered Friday at a phone number listed in Anderson's name.

Tongen said he was surprised by the charges because, to his knowledge, he didn't break any laws. What's more, he said, it was in his best financial interest to see that the horses arrived safely at auction.

"It's an unfortunate incident. We all hate to see animals die," he said.

Police have not made contact with either man, said Sgt. Christopher Thompson, a Lake County Sheriff's Department spokesman. Anderson, of McLeod, N.D., has a court hearing scheduled for Monday on traffic citations related to the crash.

Bail for both men was set at $100,000.

The Oct. 27 crash occurred at U.S. Highway 41 and Wadsworth Road in Wadsworth. Fifty-nine horses were being transported in a double-decker trailer that authorities said was designed for cattle and swine, not horses. Some of the Belgians were more than 6 feet tall and weighed thousands of pounds.

The trailer collided with another vehicle and toppled over, trapping the horses inside. Firefighters, veterinarians and horse enthusiasts from the area spent hours extricating the horses from the wreck.

As of Friday, 40 of the horses were still alive, said Donna Ewing of the Hooved Animal Rescue and Protection Society, the Barrington group overseeing adoptions of the surviving horses.

Nearly all are with new owners, Ewing said, with the exception of four younger horses that have recently recovered from a respiratory illness.

Anderson was cited for disregarding a red light, failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and not having a bill of lading.

Tongen said that the horses were en route to Verndale, Minn., from Millersburg, Ind. when the northbound tractor-trailer overturned. Investigators have not found evidence to the contrary, Thompson said.

Federal regulations prohibit the use of double-decker trailers to transport horses to slaughter.

A state investigation formed the basis for the charges, said Dan Kleinhubert, chief of the misdemeanor division.

Though no regulations explicitly set guidelines for the size and design of trailers used in horse transport, the investigation suggested that the trailer in this instance was not designed for such large animals.

"Look at the size of the compartments and compare them to the heights of the horses," said Mark Ernst, Illinois state veterinarian, whose office is part of the state Department of Agriculture.

alwang@tribune.com

AN ACCIDENT THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED

Congress has two bills awaiting action. Senate (S. 311) and House of Representatives (H.R. 503).

The bill in each house is the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. This will ban horses from being transported to slaughter and slaughter itself.

While we wait for Congress to put these bills on their calendars, horses are being brutally murdered in Mexico and Canada. The transport of these horses is also brutal.

Take a look inside what these horses suffer on a daily basis. This is an accident, but this goes on several times a day by several different double decker trailers hauling these horses to auction/slaughter.

Please visit http://www.hsus.org/ and email your Congress and ask them to please put a stop to the suffering of America's horses.

Also, please email the reporters listed below to ask them to keep this story out for America to see. These horses are suffering and the world needs to know.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-horsecrash_30oct30,0,6922990,full.story

Horses recovering after crash

Illinois, federal officials join probe; cops ticket driver
By Jeff Long, Tara Malone and Andrew L. Wang Tribune staff reporters
October 30, 2007

As three horses lay dead on a straw-matted barn floor Monday, dozens of survivors hovered in arcs around them, nursing wounds from the horrific crash Saturday that caused a tractor-trailer loaded with 59 Belgian draft horses to overturn in north suburban Wadsworth.

Some had bruised legs, others swollen eyes. A black yearling wore a thick bandage covering an artery that had been cut. A bruise knotted the neck of a dusty brown horse that chewed green hay in the paddock of a private farm where the horses were brought Saturday night to begin recovering.

The three dead horses, which had been euthanized hours earlier, brought the tally of fatalities to 18. Eight were killed, 10 have been euthanized because of their injuries and 41 remain alive, veterinarian Kevin Nelson said.

On Monday, state and federal officials joined the investigation, and Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran announced additional traffic citations against truck driver, James E. Anderson, 34, of McLeod, N.D. In addition to disregarding a red light, Anderson has been cited for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and not having a bill of lading, Curran said.

The wreck happened Saturday just before 7 p.m. at U.S. Highway 41 and Wadsworth Road in northeastern Lake County when the northbound tractor-trailer was struck by a pickup truck. Anderson lost control, and his rig overturned.

Curran said Anderson had been hired by the horses' owner to drive them from Millersburg, Ind., about 20 miles southeast of Elkhart, to Verndale, Minn., for auction. The horses arrived with numbered stickers taped to their backs, a means of identification often used at horse auctions.

"We don't have any concrete evidence that they were on their way to slaughter," Curran said.

That could be key to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A spokeswoman said the department has strict regulations about the way horses are transported to slaughter. Otherwise, states make their own rules about humane methods of transport.

Illinois investigators also were concerned about the manner in which the animals were being transported.

"We'll be looking at whether there was any violation of the Humane Care for Animals Act," said Mark Ernst, the Illinois state veterinarian, whose office is part of the state Department of Agriculture. "If there was animal cruelty, when we get done with our investigation we'll provide that information to the Lake County state's attorney.

"Curran said aggravated animal cruelty is a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 3 years in prison.

Late Monday afternoon, about two dozen people gathered at the scene of the accident, contributing to a memorial that grew into a small mound of flowers, horse trophies, teddy bears and a bunch of carrots—one for each of the dead horses.

Several people returned after helping at the accident scene. Sally Walsh, 46, of Bristol, Wis., said she was working at a nearby gas station when the crash occurred.

"We were trying to do whatever we could. We were able to see inside the trailer. Those horses were just stacked like bodies on top of each other. They were crying and kicking. . . . It's in front of you, but you don't believe what you're seeing," she said.

Earlier Monday, the surviving 41 horses meandered about the Wadsworth farm of Fred and Vicki Carney.

The Carneys, who live less than 2 miles from the accident scene, volunteered their stable as a shelter. The barn phone has been ringing ever since as friends with stables offer to adopt horses and others ask how they can help, Vicki Carney said. Every serving of hay and every stroll around the open pen seemed to strengthen the horses, observers said. The rest are expected to survive even though most are injured, Vicki Carney said.

"They had a rough deal," she said.

Younger, smaller horses seemed to take the brunt of the collision, said Vickie Wancho of Lindenhurst, who cares for horses at the Carney farm. The horses include geldings and mares and range from 6 months to 6 years old. Despite their injuries, they were in good condition, Wancho said. Their hooves had been smoothed and rounded, their coats shined, their tails trimmed and the hairs along their jawlines cut.

Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Curtis Gregory said the owner had health certificates and vaccination histories for the horses, but the records were not in the truck when it overturned. The owner faxed the records to authorities Monday.

Officials declined to name the owner, whom they identified only as a horse broker from Minnesota. The owner has cooperated with the sheriff's investigation, Curran said.

Gregory said it appeared the owner was aware of the type of trailer in which the horses were carried: a double-decker designed for cattle and pigs.

Nelson, who works at Bristol Vet Service in Kenosha County, Wis., said Monday that he talked to the animals' out-of-state owner. He did not disclose the owner's name, citing the ongoing investigation and confidentiality concerns.

"The guy was very pleasant," Nelson said. "He didn't want any of the horses to suffer. He told me to do what I could."

jjlong@tribune.com

tmalone@tribune.com

alwang@tribune.com

Animal Fairy Charities

The Animal Fairy National Fundraising Campaign

$5.00 from every purchase will be donated to Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue of Glenville PA.

The ANIMAL FAIRY has finally arrived!!! For those of you not familiar, the ANIMAL FAIRY is the guardian of all animals. He helps the sick, abused and neglected and he's there to accompany them on their final journey across the Rainbow Bridge . But he needs some helpers.

Please take a moment to read the legend behind the ANIMAL FAIRY and see why you may have been chosen to help him on his mission.

Please help us spread the word! $5.00 from every purchase from my blog will go to Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, Inc., Glenville, PA.

Click the link to order animalfairycharities.org and please mention Campaigning For Barbaro N.J. Ambassador Blogspot. Holiday Ornament $19.95 Desk Piece Ornament $24.95.