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July 31, 2001 Equine Protection Network, Inc. equineprotectionnetwork.com |
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July 31, 2001
The Large Animal Protection Society, LAPS, filed the charges against Mr. Smith in April 2001. Mr. Smith was found guilty of transporting and offering for sale a bay mare on February 5, 2001 at the New Holland Sales Stables. An equine veterinarian and a licensed equine dentist testified to the mare's debilitated condition. The mare was later euthanised.
On the same day at the New Holland Sales Stables there was a horse with a broken pelvis. The horse was shipped to New Bolton Center and later euthanised. No charges have been filed by the PA SPCA. The PA SPCA had an agent present at the sale. According to witnesses, the agent reportedly stopped the "private sale" being conducted in the back by the person who reportedly brought the horse to the sale & whom is also apparently employed by the New Holland Sales Stables. According to witnesses,this person was attempting to obtain the highest "bid" from a "killer buyer" and a rescue organization.
It would seem apparent that transporting and offering for sale a horse with a broken pelvis is a violation of PA Anti-Cruelty Law, Title 18, Section 5511(d). A link to the law can be found at the bottom of this page.
On September 12, 2001 Judge Hartman found Craig Coleflesh, Grantville, PA guilty of one count of 5511(e). Judge Hartman fined Mr. Coleflesh $200.00 plus court costs.
The PA SPCA filed the charges against Mr. Coleflesh in July 2001. Mr. Coleflesh was found guilty of transporting a horse in a cruel and inhumane manner to the New Holland Sales Stables. Dr. Holt testified to the condition of the TB horse. The horse was later euthanised.
The EPN applauds District Justice Rodney Hartman for finding these defendants guilty and imposing the maximum fine in this case, and imposing a substantial fine in the other case.
The EPN also applauds LAPS and the PA SPCA for bringing the charges in these cases. Appreciation is also extended to the veterinarians and the dentist who testified in these cases.
For the past several years the EPN's position has been that the PA Anti-Cruelty law, Title 18, Section 5511 is being broken at the New Holland Sales Stables. The EPN has documented this numerous times over the years. The EPN has documented the lack of enforcement by law enforcement over the years. The EPN has adamantly maintained that Title 18, Section 5511 could be successfully enforced by law enforcement at this sale.
In the past 2 years every charge of cruelty to horses brought by the PA State Police, the New Holland Police Department, the Large Animal Protection Society, and the PA SPCA has resulted in a guilty conviction.
PA has a law against selling sick, lame and debilitated horses. It can and is being enforced. Title 18, Section 5511(d).
Take the time and inform your veterinarian, farrier, dentist, and your friends that this law exists.
Many people are unaware that the law exists.
Most people are law abiding citizens and will comply with the law if informed.
A similar law also exists in New York.
The EPN believes it too can be enforced.
Gail Lutz, Warren Center, Bradford County, PA has been charged withTitle 18, 5511(c) Mrs. Lutz has pled not guilty. A hearing before District Justice Fred Wheaton is scheduled for October 29, 2001.
The Bradford County Humane Society, BCHS, has seized 2 of the horses in their investigation. The costs involved for caring for these horses is extraordinary due to their condition. The BCHS is in need of donations to offset the cost of their care.
The EPN applauds the BCHS in their efforts to enforce the PA Anti-Cruelty Law. Please support the BCHS in their efforts to successfully prosecute the defendant in this case. When calling please mention the Lutz horse case & specify that your donations are to help defray the costs of the care of these horses.
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May 2000 News |
New Holland Sales Stables Convicted on 31 Counts of Horse Cruelty |