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Discussion on Theraputic riding organization starved my horse to death
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Member:
Westks
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 23, 2003 - 1:51 pm:
WEST KANSAS HORSE MOTEL
2145 COUNTY RD 12
LEVANT, KS 67743
Subject: EQUINE CRUELTY AND NEGLECT
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
In April of 2003 I decided to take my 26 year old gelding to Sunrise Park Inc, He was still very active and in excellent condition. I decided to do this because he loved kids, a 2 yr old child could ride him and be safe. I did not want to sell him because I was afraid they would put him back into competition and I wanted him to be retired from competition. At the same time I wanted him to have love and proper care and some exercise and interaction with kids or young people. My neighbor had a Therapeutic Riding Program 3 yrs earlier and used him till she acquired horses for her program and he seemed to enjoy it.
My neighbor ended up moving and is no longer doing program.
In five months time my horse lost 487 pounds and I was never notified of anything wrong only received E-Mails and/or phone conversations glowing reports on how well he was doing. I had made arrangements with the veterinarian that Sunrise Park Inc. was using to keep an eye on him. I even sent $100 dollars for a credit balance on account to ensure he received proper care.
On Tuesday August 19, 2003 I received a voice mail message from Jennifer Bennett stating the following:
Charlie had spooked from lightening on August 18, 2003 (she stated she and her husband were in pasture with Charlie when lightning and thunder hit, and that he ran to barn, and they got soaked and hailed on getting back to house. They did not go to barn and check on him they just waited till morning. She stated they thought he must have hit head going in barn. Head, had lost some hair between his eyes, but was not bleeding, just hair scraped off. I told her if he did that the hair would be where he hit his head GO LOOK!
She had called the vet next morning when he wouldn’t get up for grain. When he did get up he squared off to kick her, but didn’t actually kick. I knew right then he was being abused so I told her immediately he had been abused and at least it was a woman she was really insistent I not blame her.
When her partner Crystal Bowser quit on first fundraiser for SunRise Park had, after Charlie was there. Charlie was moved to Jennifer Bennett’s residence and was under her sole care. He had squared of to the person Charlie and I both relied on to take proper care of him and he was correct in his message as to who had abused him it was her!
Because nothing sounded right I decided to go get him immediately! I arrived after a 6 hour drive at 12:30 am to find him tied to post in front yard in the dark. I was horrified when I saw him I just wanted to get him and go. She wanted me to sign papers before I got a closer look at him. So I said “ do you mind if I go look at him first “, which she stated “oh sure he is your horse”. Upon getting up to him I thought he looked approx. 200 lbs under weight. (It was very dark so I really couldn’t see really how bad off he was.)
It was dark and not much light. At that point I was horrified!
Jennifer was still trying to get me over to sign papers! (At the time I didn’t realize that papers were over getting out of being responsible)
I would have signed my soul over to the devil to get him away from there immediately! So I could get him home and try to help him.
I filled out the papers and loaded him to satisfy her! Jennifer Bennett was kind enough to provide in all those papers I had to sign, a picture of what Charlie looked like when I delivered him in April which clearly shows he was a much heavier healthy horse.
The board of directors and all of the people involved with Sunrise Park “NO ONE” had noticed that he had lost 487 pounds and all including veterinarian I had made special efforts to make sure he was getting proper nutrition and care. I discussed in length the nutritional needs of an older horse prior to moving him there. And that Sunrise Park needed to monitor his condition closely, because he was an older horse.
After five months of slow starvation I get a call about lightening the night before and a patch of hair missing between his eyes!!!!!!
When the vet arrived, he did not take pulse, temperature, and blood for tests. Looked at him and wrote this diagnoses:
He was probably close enough to lightening strike that he was in a bit of shock, if he lies down get him back up and walk him around.
SUNRISE PARK EQUINE CRUELTY AND NEGLECT PAGE 2
I DrOve all night to get him home as quickly as possible arrived at 7:30 AM August 20, 2003. Now that it was daylight when I unloaded him I realized there was a bunch of mud on him so rinsed him off to discover
That he was far thinner than I first thought. So I loaded him back in trailer and went and weighed him at grain elevator scale. He had actually lost 487 lbs in less than 5 months!
I returned home and called the closest vet and a veterinarian that specializes in Equine medicine in Oakley, KS.
He was severely starved and dehydrated he was drinking water and eating grass hay. So we decided to wait to see if he would be able to hydrate himself, rather than start IV fluids. He was content that evening and until approximately 3 AM when I went in to take a nap. When I returned to barn in morning he could not stand up very well and appeared to be in pain, I immediately thought Colic and called both veterinarians again we started taking temp pulse heart rate. Then is when alarm went of his heart rate was not normal at all, he had been successful in having bowel movement that was soft, so colic was the least of problems. After several hours of trying to stabilize him his heart started getting worse and his gums turned blue, there were signs of possible kidney failure. I decided at that point not let him suffer and struggle any longer. The months of starvation and not getting enough water had damaged his organs too much to save him. Charlie was humanely euphemized at 12:15 PM August 20, 2003.
Now I don’t care about suing I want the people involved with this organization prosecuted for everything they can be and for God’s sake we cannot let them lay hands on another horse. I pray that someone will help me stop these people from continuing, any further. If you can help I beg of you to please contact me with what I need to do to accomplish this goal.
My Veterinarians that worked so hard to save Charlie:
DR. Russel Bowers DVM
810 E 4th St.
Colby, KS 67701
Phone: (785) 462-8621
Dr. Christie
Oakley Veterinary Service, PA
510 S Freeman Av.
Oakley ,KS 67748
Phone: (785) 672-3411
SUNRISE PARK INFORMATION:
This is copied directly off their website: https://sunriseparkinc.tripod.com/suriseparkinc/index.html
Currently we have three very dedicated and commited board members. They all wear different hats each day of the week. We are in search of more board members with experience in non profits. If you are interested in becoming a board member please contact one of the following people listed below. Our annual election of Board of Directors is on August 8th of each year.
· Pat Parker, Acting President
· Jennifer Bennett, Secretary
· Shairleen Kington, Treasurer
In the august newsletter the annual election of officers results posted in newsletter were different than the night I picked Charlie up at Jennifer Bennett’s residence the published officers in the August newsletter were as follows:
SUNRISE PARK EQUINE CRUELTY AND NEGLECT PAGE 3
Acting President, Pat Parker , Vice President Clay Parker , Secretary , Jennifer Bennett , Treasurer , Shairleen Kington
Clay Parker is The Sunrise park Equine Manager and Trainer ( husband of acting president) who has been working with horses for 20 years !!!!
And he did not notice 487 pound loss of weight. In fact no one thought he had lost any weight !
And the best for last Sunrise Park Veterinarian:
When I asked him why he had not phoned me about Charlie losing weight he said well did you expect me to go look at him? I replied , “YES that is why I sent money to you to make sure someone was watching his condition!!”
Dr. John R Ferguson
411 N. Grant
Clyde , KS 66938
Phone: (785) 446-2213
Thank you,
JANETTE M MCDOWELL
Owner
WEST KANSAS HORSE MOTEL
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 23, 2003 - 6:12 pm:
So sorry to hear about your horse. My thoughts are with you.
Katrina
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Member:
Westks
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 23, 2003 - 11:20 pm:
Thank you Katrina 
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Member:
1sally
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 24, 2003 - 8:35 am:
Janette,
For prosecution of all or some of the individuals involved, report the case with all documentation and photos of Charlie before and after, if possible, to either the SPCA or local Humane Society in the area of Sunrise Park. If there is none, try going to the County District Attorney and/or the State Attorney General's office. Also, file a complaint against the park and the Vet. with the State's Dept. of Licensing and Regulations. If your documentation has been really good, you might want to see about getting a local TV station involved. Beware though, this could backfire in a lawsuit against you.
Good luck. But unfortunately, alot of state's and districts just don't care.
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Member:
Westks
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 24, 2003 - 11:51 am:
TY Sally,
You bring up exactly the sticky points. I alraedy know the county attorney for Thomas county my county of residence has had many solid easily convictable cases brought to him and in every instance not just some he has refused to prosecute. Now I am hesitating to go to their county until ipeople like you advise me this site and all animal abuse/cruelty/and neglect organizations have been sent this same letter in hopes when I move forward I will have enough information on how to go about this and be successful. This I know is not the only one that has ever happened but those that have been through it will know what mistakes were made and what I should do to prepare for that. I do have pictures a few of charlie at Xmas and what he looked like when i got home thank HGod I took pictures and another Horse breeder here came and took pictures with a much more expensive camera than mine she has not forwarded those to me yet but will post them soon as I get them.
And then the most troubling thing about this is that no matter what I say I am open to slander and all kinds of law suits. My heart tells me its worth it, but I still have 3 bred broodmares and a coming 2 yr old., to think about their care if I get thrown in jail or sued.
Thank you for your time and advice I really do appreciate it
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Member:
Swarnick
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 24, 2003 - 12:10 pm:
Janette,
The best defense for slander is truth. Libel would be the greater concern but again the best defense for it is the truth as long as you don't defame their reputation by making malicious or false statements in writing. If what you're saying is true and does not contain embelishment, your case will most likely prevail. Anyone can sue but it doesn'st mean the judgement will go in thier favor because they intiate the action. Be extremely clear with what remedies you want from them as, unfortunatley, the courts really don't care about your animal but they do care about the course of action you wish taken. So give them something tangible they can do and try to keep the emotional part low key.
Good luck with getting the justice you deserve for your poor baby.
Shirley
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Member:
Swarnick
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 24, 2003 - 12:12 pm:
Sorry turned out to be a double post of same message.
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Member:
Cassey
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 24, 2003 - 4:32 pm:
Janette,
I feel very sad over what Charlie went through. Good luck in your fight for justice, these people need to be exposed.
Dee
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Member:
Westks
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Posted on Monday, Aug 25, 2003 - 12:31 am:
Ty Shirley and DEE )
Hope to have rest of of pictures in the morning. That should help and have two rolls to develope before he left pictures. Hope to hear from humane society, pagans against animal abuse , and ASPCA, in the morning too the weekend kind of slowed things down. Maybe just as well it did. Thank you again
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Aug 25, 2003 - 8:20 am:
My depest condolences Janette, how are the other horses at Sunrise Park?
DrO
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Member:
Westks
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Posted on Monday, Aug 25, 2003 - 9:08 am:
DR. O,
I did not see or hear another horse of course it was dark and they did not invite me any where but to the table in the front yard, to sign papers. I think any Judge would throw that out considering his condition and my strong emotional attachment to this horse. if they do have another horse i am sure its days are numbered my main concern is that they don't aquire another horse. I think they have everything so it looks like it is supposed to but haven't a clue about proper nutrition despite my hours of talking with them before I took him. I think this is just fraud and money laundering scheme and they have no intention of ever opening the proposed facility. Or actually doing and therputic riding. The whole time Charly was there he was used for benefits to make money. Never once had a child on him other than there own who are all healthy/ non - disabled children.
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Member:
Chip
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Posted on Monday, Aug 25, 2003 - 2:27 pm:
Janette,
I was very sad to hear about your horse. I hope you are successful in your efforts to expose these people and their 'organization' for what it is. I know nothing of the laws on this issue, and it certainly sounds like you are makeing good steps on your own. I just wanted to toss out this idea.
If these people have a non-profit organization set up, then perhaps forwarding your information to the regulatory body that grants non-profit status would be useful. Afterall, if they are getting tax advantages from their non-profit status, and they are wilfully not fulfilling the goals of their mission, then wouldn't the tax authories be interested? Hmmm. As I say, I don't know any of the rules involved, but maybe sicking the IRS (or its associated branch) on them would take them down a peg or two.
Good luck.
MaryS
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Member:
Paul303
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Posted on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2003 - 12:29 am:
My heart is breaking for you as I write. The ASPCA CAN be fearsome depending on local law and guidelines. You might also look into talking to a local newspaper that might be willing to publish your story and pictures - keeping in mind that only verifyable facts appear in print. In this way, anyone else who is considering a donation will get a "heads up".
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 28, 2003 - 8:02 pm:
Another possible solution for you: Try United Animal Nation (UAN) out of CA. They do a lot of Premarin foal rescue/adoption, prosecute cases of cruelty and do not hesitate to bring to light cases of abuse by organizations (including government)for all types of animals. They have a wonderful sister organization EARS (Emergency Animal Rescue Service) which goes to places in the country that have been hit by natural disaster and rescue animals that are left behind by evacuating people, give the animals care and housing until owners return, or, if the animals go unclaimed, they adopt them out.
UAN may be able to provide guidance. Unfortunately I do not have a number for them as I toss their news letters after I read them, but I bet you could find them on the web.
Hope this helps and my condolences at the loss of Charly.
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Member:
Westks
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Posted on Friday, Aug 29, 2003 - 10:27 am:
Thank You Fran
Those are two names I haven't heard till now thank you so much I will start looking now because I haven't heard a word from the 20 other organizations I contacted except for those listed in my previous post. Something tells me because it wasn't a horse that was on its way to slaughter they are not going to think tragic enough for their time. Thank you again Janette
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Member:
Jerre
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Posted on Friday, Aug 29, 2003 - 10:46 am:
Janette, TheHorse.com has quite a bit of rescue/welfare information in various articles. There might be some strategies for you in there.
Jerre
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Member:
Canyon28
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 3, 2003 - 12:24 pm:
I am so sorry for you and your horse janette. I guess I will just have my older horses put down rather than ever trying to do a good deed like you attempted to do. I would rather see them destroyed than allow them to be abused and neglected like your horse was. My condolences.
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Member:
Westks
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Posted on Wednesday, Sep 3, 2003 - 2:31 pm:
I wish I had just put him down too but he was still a greeat cutting ,roping, cattle push'n , kids deluxe horse no health problems at all in 15 years. ty
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