EPN Sanctuary Program - Clark

Clark

The EPN extends our appreciation to the PA State Police, PSP, the equine vet, the farrier, and to the volunteers who made this investigation possible, and whose dedication contributed to the successful prosecution of the offenders.

Clark a grade horse estimated to be over 25 years of age with a Henneke Body Score of 2.5 was offered for sale illegally at the Parsonville Horse Auction in October 2002. Although Clark has just secured a monthly sponsor, we are still in desperate need of donations to cover the cost of his medical bills and daily care during the 5.5 months he was held as evidence in this criminal investigation. In addition the EPN incurred additional costs during the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of the owner by the PA State Police.

In September of 2002 the EPN was contacted regarding the sale of horses that were either lame or debilitated at the Parsonville Horse Auction in Clearfield County, PA. The auction is operated by Lewis "Dink" Fisher. The complainants had contacted the local SPCAs, the PA SPCA and the Department of Agriculture all to no avail.

The EPN worked with the complainant and the PA State Police, PSP, on the ensuing investigation at the Parsonville Horse Auction. On October 5, 2002 the EPN attended the Parsonville Horse Auction with the PA State Police. The PSP and the EPN both observed 2 horses who were less than a 3 on the Henneke Body Scoring Condition Chart. One horse was obviously lame behind and the other had diarrhea. Both horses were saddled and in the sale barn.

Clark's owner chose to plead guilty to the charge of selling a disabled horse on March 17, 2003. The owner changed his plea from "Not Guilty" and entered into a plea agreement with the Commonwealth after viewing the EPN's poster board titled, Fit For Sale? Not Under PA Law! at the PA Horse Expo in Fort Washington, PA on March 7, 2003.

The owner pled Guilty of cruelty to animals-offering for sale a debilitated horse- forfeited Clark,and was fined $50.00 plus court costs of $175.00.

According to statements made by his owner to the PA State Police, Clark was purchased earlier at the Waynesburg, PA auction in the parking lot. The time when he was purchased changed at least twice during the interview. The owner claimed to have dewormed Clark and given him Penicillin for his diarrhea. The owner also stated that he performed the dental work on his horses, yet he had failed to provide that same service to Clark.

The owner presented him himself as a lowly farmer who tried to do the best he could for his horses. This lowly farmer was driving a late model dually pickup pulling a very nice horse trailer.

The reason for Clark's sale was that, "he was not fast enough". The children of the owner presented the horse to the public as being "child safe" and possessing several wonderful traits. When being interviewed by the PSP, the owner was asked why he was riding this horse in this condition. The owner stated that they had only ridden him a couple of times due to his condition. The Trooper asked how could the owner have determined all of this horse's capabilities in a couple of short rides? The owner fell silent.

What is probably closer to the truth is that the owner figured he could buy the horse cheap at Waynesburg, fix him up and then unload the horse before winter.

Clark is safe now in the EPN Sanctuary Program for the rest of his life from abuse, neglect and slaughter. No more will someone try to get the last dollar from this sweet old horse, who has spent his life providing pleasure and recreation to people.

Thank you to everyone who donated to the EPN for Clark's care. Thank you Terri for caring for him and loving him when he could no longer provide anything more than companionship.

PA Anti Cruelty Statutes

Title 18, Section 5511

PENNSYLVANIA STATUTES AND CONSOLIDATED STATUTES PURDON'S PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED STATUTES TITLE 18. CRIMES AND OFFENSES PART II. DEFINITION OF SPECIFIC OFFENSES ARTICLE F. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND DECENCY CHAPTER 55. RIOT, DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND RELATED OFFENSES

§ 5511. Cruelty to animals

(d) Selling or using disabled horse.--A person commits a summary offense if he offers for sale or sells any horse, which by reason of debility, disease or lameness, or for other cause, could not be worked or used without violating the laws against cruelty to animals, or leads, rides, drives or transports any such horse for any purpose, except that of conveying the horse to the nearest available appropriate facility for its humane keeping or destruction or for medical or surgical treatment.