“If Only Mr. Ed Really Talked”

Equine Investigations Texas Federation of Humane Societies

Lone Star Conference

April 19-21 2009 Sandy Grambort

Tammy Roberts

Humane Investigations

The Humane Society of North Texas

Fort Worth, TX

817-332-4768 EXT 113

And God Took a Handful of Southerly Wind,

Blew His Breath Over it, and Created a Horse…

Bedouin Legend

Roughage: Hay and/or access to grazing

Supplemental feed: Grains

Water: Constant supply fresh and clean

Shelter: What Texas law says, what common sense says

Veterinary care: EIA, vaccines, parasites

Identifying a Neglected HorseIdentifying a Neglected Horse

• Basic Necessities?*i.e.; food, water

• Body Condition?

• Hair/Hoof Condition?

• Sick or Injured?

• Environment?

…what to look for

2-15-08

Sick? Injured?

Equine should be active, ambulatory, bright and alert

Injuries should be noted: Old vs. new, scars vs. fresh wounds, evidence of veterinary care

Vet records: should show history of care

Common equine diseases

Injury/Trauma

Starvation

BODY CONDITON SCORING

(BCS)

1-5 or 1-9~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHOOSE!!!

Body Condition Score 1

Body Condition Score 3

Body Condition Score 5

Body Condition Score 7

Body Condition Score 9

“9” Is Not Always Healthy

HEALTH HEALTH and and DISEASE CONCERNSDISEASE CONCERNS

HealthCondition of hooves: Equine feet need trimming every 6-8 weeks, normallyRespiratory system: Nose, lungsEyes: Clear with no dischargeWeight: Appropriate for size/breed/ageSkin/hair coat: Skin free of fungal infections, hair shiny, soft to the touch

Diseases/Illness

Strangles* Encephalitis: Eastern, Western, Venezuelan* Equine Protozoal Myleoencephalitis (EPM) Fungal infections: hooves/hair Colic Tetanus/Rabies* West Nile Virus* Potomac Horse Fever* Equine Influenza* Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease : COPD or “Heaves” * Vaccines available

Equine Infectious Anemia

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), or Swamp Fever, is a viral disease which occurs worldwide. Signs include a high fever, labored breathing, a pounding heartbeat, and exhaustion. As the disease progresses, signs of anemia develop. Horses that recover usually remain carriers of the disease. Most infected horses die within 30 days of getting the disease.

The disease is usually spread by horse flies biting an infected horse, then biting a healthy horse. The disease can also be transmitted by the use of non-sterile needles and blood contaminated surgical instruments.

There is no cure for EIA so prevention is the key to controlling the disease. The Coggins Test is a simple blood test that is widely accepted as a way of determining carriers of the disease. A Coggins Test is often required to transport, show, sell, or board a horse. Coggins Tests should be updated yearly. Owners of positive horses have to make the choice to put the horse down (euthanized), or have the animal permanently quarantined.

StranglesStrangles

Fungal Infections

“Rain Rot”

Ring Worm

NUTRITIONAL ISSUES

Problems Relative to Poor Nutrition

Skin and Hair Coat

Hooves

Growth

Parasites

“HOOF ISSUES”

Founder

“GROWTH CONCERNS”

““Twister” and “Sandman”…Twister” and “Sandman”…only 6 mos. apart in ageonly 6 mos. apart in age

PARASITES

Equine de-wormers…

Ivermectin products

Fenbendazole products

Praziquantel (Tapeworms)

Pyrantel pamoate products

Diatomaceous Earth, pros and cons

*Note: Age of an equine is not a defense in a court of law for maintaining a horse in an emaciated condition. It is far kinder to euthanize an animal than to allow starvation and neglect until death.

Meet Farris…

Environment

How much space? Pasture vs. stallFooting: Wet vs. DryFeed containersVentilation, shelters, and the lawQuality of feed/pasture/roughageQuantity: How much?

RESOURCES DEFINED!RESOURCES DEFINED!

Veterinarian(s) experienced in equine medicine

Handlers/Wranglers/Horse haulers (beware of the “expert”)

Livestock equipment and supplies

Law enforcement agencies (find an “expert”)

Tools “not just a hammer anymore!”

Camera Vehicles/Trailers Panels Lariats/Halters/Lead

Ropes First Aide Kit

“the right tools make any job easy”

~Holding Facilities and/or Foster ~Holding Facilities and/or Foster Homes~Homes~

Quarantine Area?

Safe From Injury?

Safe From Theft/Vandals?

Size of Holding Area?

-12x12 Stall or covered shelter

- Paddocks/exercise pens

*12-14 ft wide

*50-100 ft long

per horse

- Pasture

• ‘Outside’ transport assistance

• Foster homes or holding facilities

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• Waivers for volunteers and equipment usage

• Liability insurance

DocumentationAN OVERVIEW

Evidence Collection

Photos & ID

Veterinarian Evaluation/Statement

The Animals ARE Evidence

ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION

Time Dated Photos and/or Video

Necropsy reports on deceased animals or photos of deceased animals in environment

Witness Statements or admissable affidavits

Court MaterialsCourt Materials

Chronological order Table of contents and tabbed dividers Copies of all reports, statements, and written

documents which pertain to the case Color photos, with identification and time/date Expense summary All information should be provided to law enforcement

agency and court BEFORE court appearance

NOTNOT everything you need to know about warrants

Types of warrantsWording of warrantOfficer’s returnSearchSeizureCivil vs. Criminal seizure

WarrantsWhat are They and How do They Work?

Civil vs Criminal

*See Handouts

Pages 6-11 Application for Warrant

Pages 12-13 Seizure Warrant Sample

Cont.

Page 14 Officer’s Return

Page 15 Agency Veterinary Check

Page 16 Veterinary Statement

“Just the Facts, Ma’am”

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Collecting Evidence During a Search Warrant

Never Expect Things to Go Exactly as Planned!

Remember Me?

I am 27 years young!

Thank you…