Myths & Facts Behind Equine Rescue
by Alice Harris, Panhandle Equine Rescue
Myth: PER does not operate on the “innocent until proven guilty” system.
Fact: PER only investigates when abuse and/or neglect has been reported. Objective standards such as Body Condition Index are employed to determine if horses are underweight and site inspections determine whether water, feed, grass and hay are available and whether fencing is horse-safe.
Myth: PER acts as “judge, jury, and executioner.”
Fact: PER investigations may reach the legal system through two possible routes – criminal or civil. The State Attorney’s office investigates and makes decisions about whether a person should be charged with a crime. Civil legal action is taken when PER believes it is necessary to protect the life or health of an animal by removing it from an owner. A judge decides whether to remove abused or neglected equines based on evidence including photographs and reports from PER investigators.
Myth: PER harasses owners when they have not done anything wrong. These owners do not receive any type of compensation or apology after they have been wrongly accused of abuse or neglect.
Fact: PER cannot prevent wrongful accusations and it has an obligation to investigate abuse reports. Only through investigation can PER determine if abuse or neglect exists. If so, PER attempts to persuade owners to properly care for their equines.
Myth: PER uses “strong-arm” tactics to make owners surrender their horses to PER.
Fact: Some owners decide to turn their horses over to PER in lieu of providing adequate care for them. Only if an owner does not provide minimal acceptable care does PER ask a judge to award the animal to PER.
Myth: PER makes money from taking and then reselling horses.
Fact: PER would much rather have the owners maintain responsibility for their equine, as every horse taken in by PER is a financial burden to the organization. Some require extensive medical care and rehabilitation before they can be placed for adoption and adoption fees almost never come close to covering the cost incurred by PER and foster parents. Because equines are adopted out, not sold, PER is ultimately responsible for the equine’s well-being for the remainder of its life. PER is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization depending entirely on volunteers and private donations.
In short, PER is here to help horses AND their owners. The best situation would be one where there wasn’t a need for what we do but until then, we will keep trying to protect those horses that need protection and we will continue to try to educate owners in the care of these horses. And we are grateful for all of the concerned people out there who support this effort.
