Horse Haven of Tennessee receives numerous calls every week from concerned, well meaning citizens requesting our help with neglected or abused horses they have come across. Sometimes, it's the neighbor's horses they are concerned about. Sometimes it's a riding stable where horses are not receiving adequate care. When answering those calls, we try to gather as much information from the caller as possible. What condition are the animals in? Is there a water source on the property? Is there evidence of feed or hay? Where are the horses located and who owns them? At the end of the form that we fill out for each call is the million dollar question.....What is your name and contact information and are you willing to testify should there be charges filed? Sadly, the answer is often "No".
In order for law enforcement to seize a livestock animal in the State of Tennessee, there has to be probable cause for the seizure. The law requires the person that finds probable cause to be either a licensed veterinarian or a University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Agent . Once a vet or ag extension agent finds probable cause, law enforcement can ask for a search and seizure warrant from the District Attorney. After the search and seizure warrant is approved, the Sheriff's Department or Animal Control can solicit Horse Haven's assistance to pick up the animals and get them the help they need. This process is tedious and time consuming and very uncomfortable for all parties involved. But it's the way the law currently reads and it is the only legal way horses can be removed from neglectful situations.
Horse Haven is not "Animal Cops". We can talk to horse owners and educate them about proper feeding and animal maintenance. We can offer our help with Horse Haven's "Helping Hooves", "Ultimate Act of Compassion" or "Studs to Buds" program. We can observe horses from a public roadway but we cannot trespass or remove horses without permission of the owner. Our ability to help a horse get out of a bad situation depends on individual's willingness to help us help the horse. And that starts with the person that first calls us. While we have good relationships with many counties throughout the State of Tennessee, a call from a resident to county officials is always more effective than our call. County officials are much more inclined to press charges and seize an animal if a resident is willing to help make a case and potentially testify. One person can make a difference.
Horse Haven currently cares for 22 horses that are evidence in pending neglect cases. These 22 horses represent five different cases in three different counties. Animal neglect cases can drag on for months. The process is tedious, time consuming and expensive. But if we can get justice for the animals and ensure that they will spend the rest of their lives in a good home, we are willing and able to go through the process. With the help of our volunteers, donors and support from the public, Horse Haven has been able to care for and place almost 700 horses in the past 14 years. With everybody's help, we can make life better for horses. One horse at a time.....
