Please take 30 seconds to sign petition for horse murdered in NY

[PalominoMorgan]

****Update****
The police have their suspects in custody. My friend Dawn is still very upset, but determined that Skye's passing will not be in vain. I know many of you wanted to know how to help before. Dawn sent me the link for her online petition. I just signed it and it literally took 30 seconds. It took longer to think of something civil to say in the comment box than it did to fill the rest of the information.

Dawn is hoping to get 1000 signatures. I would love to overwhelm her with the CoTH support and drive that number up, up, up. Thanks everybody. Here's the link and brief info:

Dawn has just read and signed the petition: Justice for Horse Murdered During Robbery
You can view this petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/2830346
Message from Dawn Feathers :
-----
Hi, I signed the petition "Justice for Horse Murdered During Robbery". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 1,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok CoTHers. I am posting on behalf of a friend and wonderful horsewoman. She tragically lost her mare, Skye, last week when she was found by the barn staff brutally stabbed in her stall. Without going in to details it was violent and disturbing. The police have a person of interest they are looking for, but right now they are trying to find a way to charge him with more than a misdemeanor. This crime was committed in New York State.

Right now what I am asking you to do is write a letter and mail it to the judge. We're hoping that public outcry will convince the judge to prosecute to the fullest extent and get a felony charge. That would only carry a 2-3 year jail sentence, but it would be a heck of a lot better than 45 days.

Here is a link to the article from the newspaper. My friend is devestated to say the least. This was a mare she rescued and brought through horrible navicular with amazing detail to hoofcare, acupuncture, massage, etc. This lady is a true natural horseman and puts her animals before herself. Things were finally going well for her and now this. She is just devestated.

Luckily her other horse was not harmed, but she is obviously worried something might happen to him as well. My friend does not post here, but I told her about the amazing power of CoTH to get things done. Please take a few minutes to send a letter to the judge. A letter from your heart is probably best, but maybe if somebody wanted to draft a form letter that would be a good alternative for people short on time.

Thanks everybody. If anybody has any other suggestions or knows the laws of NYS please feel free to PM me and I'll pass along the info.

Here's the link to the articles.

Here is the 1st article about how she died..
http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2008/12/24/news/doc4951bd013c87d348543490.txt

Here's the 2nd article regarding which law she may or may not fall under...
http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2008/12/25/news/doc4952e950d9fd2987046010.txt

"I appreciate this.. I'm in such a fog and I want to help my horse so desperately!!!

The picture is 2 yrs old I had a friend hop on her so i could have a photo oppurtunity. "
http://i42.tinypic.com/vhdjwn.jpg

[mybeau1999]

My condolences to your friend:cry::cry:
Some people are absolutely disgusting...

Someone should trap them in a room and stab them to death, see how they like it:mad:

[horse-loverz]

How sad. :no::cry: What is WRONG with people these days??? :confused:

[seeuatx]

Oh God, how awful. Every owners worst nightmare. :(

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

snail mail is better than e mail or phone? Just let us know - we will do what we can, you know that!!!!

[Pony Person]

How sad. :no::cry: What is WRONG with people these days??? :confused:
I wonder that every day.:no: So sorry for your friend:cry::no:

[PalominoMorgan]

I'm thinking snail mail would be better. I'd like to see a nice big pile of letters end up on the judge's desk. I'll try and find an address for us to write to. I know you guys will know what to do. Thanks all.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Let us know the address. I wonder if we should draft a sort of form letter that has the relevant info and how appalled and aghasted we are, and how we want the maximum sentence possible...it would help if some of the legal eagles on the board could throw in some info regarding how people who commit violent acts to animals go on to do the same to humans.

[summerhorse]

Not sure the judge has any input right now. The charges are brought by the DA or PA's office and they decide what to charge the person as. They should charge the "perp" under whatever charge will give him the most time and a felony and that sounds like a property charge if her worth can be found to be $2,000 or more. If they try to make new law the whole thing may be thrown out. I hope this case does make them increase the penalties for animal cruelty though. I'm sorry for your friend's loss, such a traumatic thing.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

I'm thinking snail mail would be better. I'd like to see a nice big pile of letters end up on the judge's desk. I'll try and find an address for us to write to. I know you guys will know what to do. Thanks all.

Are we writing to the magistrate who will sign the warrant charging the person with the crime? I'd suggest also writing to the prosecutor's office - they get to decide what charges they bring against whom.

Please convey my sympathies to your friend. I know how heartbroken she must feel right now.

ETA: summerhorse, cross-posted with you. The judge who issues the warrant can also have some input into what the person's charged with. At least in my state, anyway. I knew of a guy once who was deliberately trying to run horseback riders from a particular stable off the road with his truck. The policeman, who was also a rider, made out a report defining the guy's offense as Assault and Battery with Intent to Kill. The magistrate, who was not a horse person, changed the charge to simple assault when he signed the warrant.

[FlashGordon]

PM, that is HORRIBLE! :eek:

So very sorry for your friend. Sounds like she gave that little mare a fabulous life too. :sadsmile:

[PalominoMorgan]

Maybe writing to the prosecutor's office will do the trick. They can then bring our letters to court with them when the catch and charge the sicko. The community is really outraged though. I sure hope the guy isn't walking on the side of the road anytime soon. It sounds like there are a few people who are ready to go eye for eye in the community. Just such a stupid tragic loss for nothing. Ugh.

[jazzrider]

:cry: This is just really so sad. I hope we're able to help somehow, collectively. When it's sorted out -- who to write to and what exactly to say to be sure that this gets the attention and judgement it should -- update your thread title so we know it's time to take action. Jingles for your friend. I hope, for her peace and the safety of her other horse, she's moving to a new stable soon (if not already).

[Santpoort]

No words can make this better for your friend, but I am crying for her, my heart goes out to her, and sending a big COTH hug for both of you from CA. {{{{{{{PM & Dawn}}}}}}}
This is an outrage. I am stunned. If someone can draft a letter and or tell us what is the best way to send it and to whom, I will do it too. (I see this is a pretty new post, so the legal eagles on teh board will see & maybe be able to do this...).

Debbie

[Proud To Be Spotted]

I cant believe this is happining again.

The last case in Texas, CoTH hit the DA's office and they even posted here. Tell us where to send the letters.

[Watermark Farm]

The DA's office will determine charges. Find out who specifically in the DA's office may be handling the case, and letters should be directed to them. Post that info here and I will be happy to write a snail letter (the best kind to send).

I work with a local organization that works with the DA's office to get effective prosecution of horse-related crimes. Getting the involvement of the community in a case (making it very public) is powderful. Keep up the good work.

I am SO sorry. What a horrifying thing to do to an animal.

[Beverley]

I don't want to rain on your parade, because your intentions are great. But, my husband is a judge, and I really doubt a judge is going to even read such letters- they are not part of the court record. A judge looks at the evidence and interprets the law, plain and simple.

If you want to emphasize the importance of your point, I'd say it would be more profitable to write to the DA as already suggested. Focus of the letters should be- what is the law in the particular jurisdiction on animal abuse? Misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, felony I hope? Focus on whatever that law is and encourage that the accused be prosecuted to the fullest extent with maximum sentence. No plea bargaining. Throw the book at 'em.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Great - I was hoping a legal eagle would chime in - because we want our efforts on behalf of the horse and her owner to be properly directed to have the greatest impact. Please tell us what to do, and we'll do it!

[galwaybay]

Can she sue the guy - after he is convicted or maybe even if not convicted - in civil court - pain and suffering, destruction of property. I recall reading a story about I think it was the founder of MADD. She sued the man who killed her daughter and part of the settlement was that on the anniversary of her death he had to send the mother $1.00 for 18 years (that's how old she was when she was killed). After a few years, the guy's lawyer was like this is ridiculous can he just pay the whole amount now - it was "only" 18 dollars right. Nope - the point was not about the money or the amount; the point was on the anniversary of the day that man drove drunk and slammed his car into hers - the mother was going to make him remember that day... for 18 years.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Sadly, the mother will remember for much, much longer than that. Life, for always. Just as this woman will remember this about her horse.

[amdfarm]

:mad::cry: What a horrible end to such a beautiful mare's life. She did NOT deserve that and neither did Dawn. :mad::cry: I will jingle for her other horse and hope that he stays safe. (((HUGS))) and condolences to Dawn.

If my mare, Sara, has a filly next year, I think Skye would be a very fitting name for her. And if it's a colt, maybe Skyler. :sadsmile:

I hope that man dies a horrible, painful death w/ nowhere to run, too. :mad:

[PalominoMorgan]

I hope that man dies a horrible, painful death w/ nowhere to run, too. :mad:

THat seems to be the consensus.

[equineartworks]

Definately the DA's office and also, if possible, in duplicate to the newspaper. That seems to be the way to really be sure that everything possible is done. And folks who know things they might not know that they know ( :confused: ) are likely to come forward more often when the see public reaction.

[luvmytbs]

PM,

I would contact Chris Berry of EPN http://www.equineprotectionnetwork.com/cruelty/cindex.htm

She is one of the most knowledgable and determined people I know of when it comes to animal cruelty laws in your area.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

Can she sue the guy - after he is convicted or maybe even if not convicted - in civil court - pain and suffering, destruction of property.

Sure she can, but it will depend on the state what she can sue him for. In my state, unfortunately, you get only the value of the animal, because it's considered only a property crime. But there are many other states which now recognize the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress for harming someone's animal.

But if the guy doesn't have any money or any insurance to pay the judgment, then a plaintiff's attorney couldn't afford to bring suit for nothing. The victim would have to pay her own legal fees for no potential gain.

[marta]

he could rob the place, but why kill an innocent animal???? :no:
hope his karma catches up w/ him in a bad way...

i do think letters to the DA are most appropriate at this time. doesn't sound like there is really a law that addresses this type of conduct in a meaningful fashion. legislators would have to step in and pass a new law but it probably would not be retroactive.
so sad.
(((hugs))) to the owner.

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

I swear to God if someone did that to my horse they better disappear because they would NOT want to experience my wrath! Not kidding... there would be hell to pay. I will write a letter. This is crazy and ugly and heartless... I have not idea how someone could do something like that.

[Paige777]

I will gladly write letters for whoever they need to be sent to. What a disgusting thing. I can't imagine being in your friend's place. Please let her know that prayers are going out to her.

[Proud To Be Spotted]

Does anyone have an update on this case? Was anyone charged?

[greysandbays]

She tragically lost her mare, Skye, last week when she was found brutally stabbed in her stall by the barn staff.

Unless you intended to accuse the barn staff of stabbing the horse, that sentence needs an edit.

[Jealoushe]

How tragic....I hope this bastard gets what is coming to them.:(

[kookicat]

:cry:

im so sorry. were should we write to? my mom and her frieds will write too.

[TikiSoo]

Believe it or not, a similar, but not nearly as serious thing happened to me & my mare.
I was dating this guy, brought him to the barn to meet my pony since she played such a big part in my life. We broke up later, the guy took it badly.

A week after, her expensive sheepskin covered halter was missing. Obviously stolen, you'd see something big and puffy like that on the ground.

A few days later, my horse was stabbed in her front leg thigh. She was blind and pastured with NO sharp edges anywhere. I started getting scared.

I immediately called the police who asked if I had any possible suspects, so I told them. Apparently, the cop went to the guys house, looked in his car with a flashlight and spotted the halter. Don't know what the cop did, but he called me later and said it was entirely taken care of and to call him if ANYTHING else happens.

The halter reappeared on the fencepost the next day.

Moral of the story is your horse is your personal property. I think the police take this type of crime very seriously. A brutal killing such as this warrants serious consequences because it could easily escalate to violence against a person. I think the DA and the jury realizes this and will punish to the full extent of the law.

If there is anything we can do...writing a letter, signing an e-petition, we are all waiting to help.

[chai]

What a horrible tragedy. There are some truly sick people out there. Please post a snail mail address so we can get letters on the way. We really do need a COTH posse for monsters like this.

[arabhorse2]

I had a friend lose his mare to a stabbing death.

It was a case of pyscho ex-boyfriend, who mistook my friend's horse for his ex-girlfriend's horse, who happened to be stalled two stalls down from my friend's.

My friend's horse was a palomino mare, and the ex-girlfriend's horse was a chestnut. I guess it's true; to non horse people, they all DO look alike. :no:

They caught the guy and he was prosecuted, but since animals are considered property in Maryland, he got minimal jail time, a slap on the wrist, and had to pay my friend the current value of his horse.

I thought stringing him up and skinning him would have been a good punishment, but it wouldn't have brought the horse back. :(

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

Yes, please, a snail mail address!

[Sansena]

Update... and an address please?

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

I found this update by Googling:
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/local/ci_11404410

They've arrested two people for the stabbing - a twenty-something boy and his teenage girlfriend. They sound like a prize pair.

The Natural Born Killers are claiming they thought it was the boy's cousin's horse.

It doesn't sound like they're going to apply the companion-animal law, but they have charged the boy with burglary which at least in my state can get you sont up the river for a loooong time.

[PalominoMorgan]

Please take 30 seconds to sign petition for horse murdered in NY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

****Update****
The police have their suspects in custody. My friend Dawn is still very upset, but determined that Skye's passing will not be in vain. I know many of you wanted to know how to help before. Dawn sent me the link for her online petition. I just signed it and it literally took 30 seconds. It took longer to think of something civil to say in the comment box than it did to fill the rest of the information.

Dawn is hoping to get 1000 signatures. I would love to overwhelm her with the CoTH support and drive that number up, up, up. Thanks everybody. Here's the link and brief info:

Dawn has just read and signed the petition: Justice for Horse Murdered During Robbery
You can view this petition at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/2830346
Message from Dawn Feathers :
-----
Hi, I signed the petition "Justice for Horse Murdered During Robbery". I'm asking you to sign this petition to help us reach our goal of 1,000 signatures. I care deeply about this cause, and I hope you will support our efforts.

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

signed!

[Reds-n-Greys]

Signed! Up to 623 signatures!

[arabhorse2]

Sorry kids, gonna be a wet blanket here.

Just what do you think an on-line petition is going to do?

The laws regarding this are already in place, so no petition is going to do anything concerning this issue or impress the judge who will preside over the case.

If you really want to do something, I suggest actual work on getting stricter punishments for animal mistreatment/death. Start at your local level, go to meetings, join coalitions, etc.

Signing an on-line petition does squat, except make people feel better for having done absolutely nothing with a few strokes of their keyboard.

Actual faces in the courtroom when this comes before the judge, will make more of an impact than some silly on-line petition signed by a bunch of internet strangers.

I feel horrible for this woman and how brutally she lost her horse. Signing an on-line petition however, does nothing for insuring these people get the maximum penalty allowable by law.

[MajMeadowMorgans]

I signed it and bumping for Dawn.

Sorry AH2, but to Dawn it does make a difference. She has been overwhelmed with all the support. Every little bit helps, and if it were me, I would hope people would come out in droves.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

I signed.:yes: After reading the information on the petition page, I'm pretty impressed with the efforts so far to catch and cage these two. Next I guess it'll be up to the prosecutor - who, AFAIK, is an elected official. So I reckon an expression of public opinion on the issue couldn't hurt.:)

[Oldenburg Mom]

Signed.

[Pony Person]

Signed. 660 signatures!

[PalominoMorgan]

Thanks everybody. Keep signing. We realize that this scumbag will be dealt with the laws that are already on the book. The point of signing it is to support Dawn. She's a very humble lady who you would all welcome in to your barn if you knew her. (She's the real deal with horses, especially the troubled horses - physically or mentally.)

As for what signing the petition will do it will also help show public support to influence elected officials who have a say on legislation. I think I remember reading a note from Dawn that elected officials are moving quickly to amend or change the laws on Skye's behalf. The point is not to have another owner have to suffer this kind of loss and not have justice for their beloved friend.

[War Admiral]

Signed!!!

And don't let the naysayers persuade you that signing this is NOT important.

It is.

[greysandbays]

I think I remember reading a note from Dawn that elected officials are moving quickly to amend or change the laws on Skye's behalf.

I think you've either misunderstood that or are misrepresenting it. There's nothing the law can do "on Skye's behalf". The Powers That Be can't make increased criminal punishments retroactive. The law has to be applied AS IT WAS ON THE BOOKS when the crime was committed.

You might be able to appeal for lesser punishment retroactively, but you and make punishments tougher.

[CanterQueen]

Signed. 672 and growing!!

[Bayou Roux]

Signed.

I think a bunch of guys once signed a note to the King of England and made a difference, so I'm all for putting virtual ink to virtual paper in the hope of a better world.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

The Powers That Be can't make increased criminal punishments retroactive. The law has to be applied AS IT WAS ON THE BOOKS when the crime was committed.

Yep. Art. I, Sec. 9 [3], U.S. Const. :) But I think PM knows that.:) In post #47 above, she said
We realize that this scumbag will be dealt with the laws that are already on the book.
I thought, by "on behalf of" Skye, she meant something more like they want to get the statutory definition of a companion animal broadened to include equines "in memory of" or "in honor of" Skye.

[3horsemom]

signed.

[greysandbays]

Yep. Art. I, Sec. 9 [3], U.S. Const. :) But I think PM knows that.:) In post #47 above, she said

I thought, by "on behalf of" Skye, she meant something more like they want to get the statutory definition of a companion animal broadened to include equines "in memory of" or "in honor of" Skye.

"On behalf of" means representative of/proxy for or in the interest/aid of someone. Not anywhere near "in memory of" or "in honor of".

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

"On behalf of" means representative of/proxy for or in the interest/aid of someone. Not anywhere near "in memory of" or "in honor of".

OK. But read that way, the first and second paragraphs of post #47 are inconsistent. So I guess it's up to Palomino Morgan to tell us what she meant.:)

[greysandbays]

OK. But read that way, the first and second paragraphs of post #47 are inconsistent. So I guess it's up to Palomino Morgan to tell us what she meant.:)

If she'd type what she meant, we wouldn't be having this problem (of knowing what she "meant"). :D

Hopefully she's not got anything to do with presenting any sort of case for changes in the law.

OMG! OMG! OMG! A horse was MURDERED!!!!! OMG! OMG! approach makes one look like a hysterical lunatic. "Murder" as a legal term apparently is only applied to the intentional killing of human beings. Showing a basic understanding of terminology would go a long way toward looking like somebody sensible whose ideas should be taken seriously.

When one goes to meddle in the affairs that will ultimiately affect others in manners as concrete the law, one should make damn sure every word written or spoken on the subject says exactly what they mean and allows as little room for misinterpreting/misunderstanding/misconstruing as possible. There's enough opportunites for law-makers to screw things up without adding "but that's what we THOUGHT you meant" to the mix.

[msrobin]

I signed everyone please sign it takes only a moment.

If they were there to steal why would they kill the horse? What is wrong with people?

[PalominoMorgan]

Well, since I'm overtired from being up with the kiddo last night and some of you quoted the text (and now I can read it... LOL) what I meant was to honor Skye's memory by changing the laws for future cases. I did go to an Ivy League college (where I did very well in my law classes I took for fun) and have a basic understanding of how the legal system works. Anyway, back to my little project here at home and enjoying the features of an ignore button.

[Izthatrt]

signed. I hope they turn these two over to all of us who signed this petition. Not THAT would be justice.

[greysandbays]

Well, since I'm overtired from being up with the kiddo last night and some of you quoted the text (and now I can read it... LOL) what I meant was to honor Skye's memory by changing the laws for future cases. I did go to an Ivy League college (where I did very well in my law classes I took for fun) and have a basic understanding of how the legal system works. Anyway, back to my little project here at home and enjoying the features of an ignore button.

Then you (having gone to an Ivy League college and dabbled in law classes) should have bloody well known better than to apply the term "murder" to this case. It was no such thing and you have no excuse to not understand that.

If it was your horse and you were an uneducated hick, then the foolish misapplication of terms and the hysteria might have been forgivable.

However, apparently, should you ever decide to run for office, you'd fit right in in Congress... :eek:

[greysandbays]

Signed.

I think a bunch of guys once signed a note to the King of England and made a difference, so I'm all for putting virtual ink to virtual paper in the hope of a better world.

Yeah, but that bunch of guys was willing to die fighting to make their little note stick. And it was that which "made a difference".