|
To report a case of equine abuse, call the
Georgia Department of Agriculture's Equine Division
Monday
- Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
404-656-3713
1-800-282-5852
If you
would like GERL to assist with an Equine Abuse
case call 770-464-0138.
|
This
page is dedicated to updates concerning the horses
from Pike County that were impounded by GDA.
12-07-07 GERL has obtained a copy of the
legal agreement with Roger Prater and the Georgia Department of
Agriculture. To view this document, please
click here.
Georgia Department of
Agriculture
Tommy
Irvin, Commissioner
19
Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334
www.agr.georgia.gov
PRESS RELEASE
September 11, 2007
For
information contact: Jackie Sosby, Arty Schronce or Yao Seidu
at 404-656-3689
Prater
pleads guilty to animal cruelty; sentenced to five years
Superior
Court Senior Judge Ben Miller sentenced Roger Lee Prater to five
years after the defendant pled guilty to 31 counts of animal
cruelty in a Pike County case Tuesday. Georgia Department of
Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin declared an emergency on a
Pike County farm last February in the Prater case and impounded
99 horses and other animals.
Prater will
serve the first 120 days of the 60-month sentence in home
confinement except for tending the farm and home place and
transporting his wife to the doctor.
“I believe
that he chose to accept the conditions rather than continue to
pursue the matter through the courts, because he knew that the
people in Pike County would not condone this kind of treatment
to animals,” said Commissioner Irvin.
“I would like
to commend the District Attorney and the Pike County Sheriff for
their commitment to prosecution of this criminal animal cruelty
case. I am also pleased that Judge Miller issued monetary
penalties and restitution to our department.”
The Georgia
Department of Agriculture, the commissioner pointed out, can
only bring civil action and the charging and prosecution of
criminal animal cruelty must be pursued by local law enforcement
and officers of the court.
Other
stipulations in the plea agreement were:
-
A $10,000
fine;
-
A $25,000
restitution fee to the Georgia Department of Agriculture for
care of the impounded animals;
-
Surrender
of the $21,356 in escrow for the impounded animals
previously sold;
-
That the department holds
a public auction in 30 days of the remaining 24 horses and
two foals and retain the proceeds from the auction.
-
Prater must also perform
100 hours of community service.
“In addition
to the sheriff department and the district attorney personnel,
we are very grateful for the many volunteers who helped move and
take care of these animals since February 1. The many people
who stepped up and bought the rehabilitated animals to give them
a home and the monetary and material donations all are
responsible for helping my staff to be able to bring these
horses back to good health,” said Irvin.
Irvin also
personally thanked Horsetown Western Stores for the use of its
private stables for almost eight weeks and to the Georgia Equine
Rescue League for providing volunteers, feed and raising money
to assist the Department of Agriculture in the recovery of the
horses.
The Georgia
Department of Agriculture receives no appropriated funds for the
care and feeding of the horses it is required by law to impound.
Response of the Georgia Equine
Rescue League
to the Georgia Department of Agriculture regarding
upcoming sale of some of the impounded Pike County Horses
April
26, 2007
Commissioner Tommy Irvin
Department of Agriculture
19 MLK JR. Drive
Agriculture Building, Room 204
Atlanta, GA 30334
Commissioner Irvin,
The
Georgia Equine Rescue League is saddened, disappointed, and
frustrated by the decisions of the Department of Agriculture, its
attorneys, and the attorneys of the opposite parties in the case of
the Pike County, GA horses, impounded in February. It has been
announced that the parties have reached an agreement to sell some of
the horses that are healthy enough to be released. The part that
the GERL adamantly disagrees with is the venue in which these horses
are being sold. In short, the GERL passionately denounces this
decision by the Department of Agriculture!
The GERL feels that this decision to sell the
horses at the Pony Express Auction is not in the best interest of
the horses. The three days that were given to advertise these
horses for sale, is also entirely inadequate. In the past, the
Department, has advertised heavily, far in advance of an auction to
disperse seized horses, and it has been conducted properly at one of
the GDA’s impound facilities.
The decision to sell the horses at the Pony
Express Auction has already been interpreted by a great number of
the people, organizations, and companies that have donated so
generously, as a “slap in the face” to all of their efforts, of both
time, and money.
Nationally recognized organizations, such as the
ASCPA have donated large sums of money to buy feed and hay for these
horses, and have expressed a great sadness and displeasure of how
this case is being handled, and ultimately, the manner in which
these horses are being dispersed. Nation wide feed companies such as
Purina Mills, FRM, Nutrena, and Seminole have donated thousands of
dollars worth of feed and supplies to rehab these particular horses,
in hopes of securing individual homes and a promising future for
these horses. The manner in which these horses are being sold is
not consistent with that donation goal in mind.
The Georgia Equine Rescue League has been by far
the largest supporter of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, both
financially, and in terms of volunteer hours, for many years. In
fact, the last time an accounting was done, the GERL has donated
well over $280,000.00 to the GDA. This decision has been made by
the Department of Agriculture in spite of a great number of hours of
discussions against this type of dispersal.
Commissioner Irvin, the GERL not only denounces
this decision by your Department, but implores you to work hard and
diligently against any such dispersal of these or any other equine,
now and in the future. To allow this type of situation seriously
endangers the longstanding relationship between the GERL, its donors
and members.
Commissioner, you alone stand charged with
guarding that relationship. Since the GERL has upheld our end of
this relationship in every aspect, I ask that you uphold yours. I
ask you to do the right thing. Stop this auction from happening.
Prepare a proper auction in accordance with your tradition and
history, and the wishes of your partners, your donors and your
constituents. Continue to be an advocate for the equines in your
care. Please, do not squander the efforts of so very many, in order
to rush to disperse these few horses, and do permanent damage to the
reputation of your department.
Sincerely,
Brian Dees
President,
Georgia Equine Rescue League
Georgia
Department of Agriculture
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. SW
Atlanta,
GA 30334
PRESS
RELEASE
April 4, 2007
Situation Report #6
Update on Pike County Equine
Case
The
equine impounded by the
Georgia Department of
Agriculture in February from
a property in Pike County
continue to improve and have
been relocated from their
emergency impound facility.
All remain under quarantine
while being monitored for
additional clinical signs of
strangles.
“Although some of the
animals are not fully
recovered, we are pleased
with the progress the
majority have made under
our care,” said Georgia
Department of Agriculture
Commissioner. Tommy Irvin.
Irvin said that the animals
were moved from a private
stable in metro Atlanta
owned by Horsetown Western
Stores to two equine
facilities operated by the
state. The move was
possible following an
auction of rehabilitated
horses and because it was
possible to move the Pike
County animals due to their
recovery progress.
“We want to thank the
owners of Horsetown Western
Stores for allowing us to
use the facility for almost
eight weeks. We had no room
in our facilities or any
place to quarantine that
many animals,” Irvin said.
“We are indebted to the
many volunteers who have
given time, money, feed, and
other materials to keep
these horses on the road to
recovery,” Irvin said. “I
also want to thank my staff
for their dedication in
feeding and caring for this
unprecedented number of
equine. The Georgia Equine
Rescue League (GERL) will
continue to manage the
logistics of hay and other
feed. Monetary donations
are still needed to assist
in the large bills.”
Checks for the care of the
equine should be written to
and sent to:
Georgia Equine Rescue League
P.O. Box
787
Locust Grove,
GA 30248
Place “Pike County Impound”
in the check’s memo line.
For more information see
www.gerlltd.org or
www.agr.georgia.gov.
Anyone who wants to make a
donation to help with the
care and feeding of all the
animals impounded by the
department may send a check
to:
Georgia
Department of Agriculture,
Room 210
19 Martin Luther King Jr.
Drive
Atlanta,
GA 30334
Please make the check
payable to “Georgia
Department of Agriculture”
and write “dogs”, “horses”
or “general impound fund” in
the check’s memo line.
HOW YOU
CAN HELP THE PIKE COUNTY HORSES
Week of February 12, 2007
BARN
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
The emergency
impound facility needs
volunteers! If you can
help with barn chores/cleaning
stalls as a volunteer for 8:30
am - 12 noon or 1 pm – 5 pm
shifts, please complete the
application forms located on the
Department Website
www.agr.georgia.gov. The
specific link is http://agr.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,38902732_0_75053448,00.html.
People residing in the counties
of Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb,
Douglas, Fulton or Paulding are
the most convenient to the site.
DONATION OF SUPPLIES:
Following is
the list of needed supplies for
this week. You can drop these
off at any of the three Horse
Town locations (Locust Grove,
Marietta, Snellville), or at the
TC Country, 100 Heritage Town
Parkway, Canton 770 479-8926
(directly off SR 20 5.5 miles
East of I-575 and 1/2 mile West
of East Cherokee Road).
-
Heavy-duty
rechargeable clippers with
15 and 40 blades (ex. Oster
Super AGR + , Laube 305)
-
Large
electric body-clippers (2000
cycles/minute, ex. Andis or
Oster)
-
Polo wraps (
3.5 - 4 inch wide with
Velcro)
-
Washable quilted leg wraps
-
Horse Lice
Dust (0.25% Permethrin)
-
Gauze squares
– both 2 in x 2 in and 4 in
x 4 in
-
Chlorhexidine
scrub (such as Nolvasan
scrub)
-
Chlorhexidine
cream or ointment (such as
Nolvasan cream)
-
Wound cleansing cream (such
as Derma-Clens by Pfizer
Animal Health)
-
Round, rubber feed tubs
-
Leather
halters (not nylon)
(yearling, cob, regular
horse, large horse)
-
Donations for
hay and feed should be
coordinated through the
Georgia Equine Rescue League
www.gerlltd.org
MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS:
Feeding and
caring for 99 horses will
certainly demand significant
costs, and the Georgia
Department of Agriculture does
not receive state dollars to pay
for feed, equipment and
supplies. So, monetary
donations are greatly
appreciated in order to purchase
the necessary resources to nurse
them back to health.
To send a tax
deductible donation to the
general Equine Impound Program,
please send a check to:
Georgia
Department of Agriculture
Office of Equine Health,
Room 143
19 MLK Jr., Drive
Atlanta, GA 30334
Place in
the memo line "Equine Impound
Program"
Many thanks to the Georgia
Equine Rescue League who is
managing the logistics of feed
and hay. This is a huge task!
To send a tax deductible
donation which may be earmarked
for this specific case,
send a check to:
Georgia
Equine Rescue League
PO Box 787
Locust Grove, GA 30248
Place in
the memo line "Pike County
Impound"
Department of Agriculture
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
19 Martin
Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta ,
GA 30334
www.agr.georgia.gov
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact: Arty Schronce
February 9,
2007
Situation Report #5
Update On Pike County Animal
Case
The Georgia Department of
Agriculture has learned that
Roger Prater and Bobbie Allison
have been charged with 204
counts each of cruelty to
animals in Pike County.
Laboratory
test results have confirmed a
diagnosis of strangles from the
impounded herd of horses, ponies
and donkeys. The Department had
already quarantined the herd
based on clinical signs
consistent with strangles.
Animals
that are showing clinical signs
of illness are being treated and
maintained in isolation from the
others.
For more
information on strangles see
http://agr.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,38902732_0_41051091,00.html
and click on “Strangles
Information Brochure.”
The Department needs volunteers
for cleaning stalls and other
barn chores. For volunteer
applications see our website at
www.agr.georgia.gov
and click on “Equine Health -
Pike County Animal Case” under
the “News-Events” heading.
Anyone wanting
to make a donation to help with
the care and feeding of the
animals impounded by the
department may send a check to:
Georgia Department of
Agriculture, Room 210
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Atlanta, GA 30334
Please make the check payable to
“Georgia Department of
Agriculture” and write “horses,”
“dogs” or “general impound fund”
in the check’s memo line.
The Georgia Equine Rescue League
is managing the logistics of
equine feed and hay. To send a
donation which may be earmarked
specifically for this case, send
a check to:
Georgia Equine Rescue League
P.O. Box 787
Locust Grove, GA 30248
Place "Pike County Impound" in
the check’s memo line. For more
information see
www.gerlltd.org or
www.agr.georgia.gov.
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tommy Irvin,
Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30334
www.agr.georgia.gov
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact: Arty Schronce
February 7, 2007
(404) 656-3689
Commissioner Commends Georgia
Equine Rescue League
for Assistance with Pike County Case
Georgia
Commissioner of Agriculture
Tommy Irvin commended the
Georgia Equine Rescue League (GERL)
today for their ongoing work
protecting horses in the state
and specifically for their
generous and essential support
in assisting with the horses
rescued last week in Pike
County.
Our Equine
Impound Program has been an
overwhelming success thanks to
the Georgia Equine Rescue
League. The program receives no
funds for the care and feeding
of the horses we are required by
law to impound. GERL has been a
supporter since the beginning
providing supplies and
volunteers to keep the program
going,” said Commissioner Irvin.
“Last year we
had to impound a record-breaking
306 horses, the most we have
ever had to impound in any year
since the program began in
1992. The 99 horses, ponies and
donkeys impounded from Pike
County last week have strained
our resources and staff.
However, the Georgia Equine
Rescue League stepped up to meet
the task at hand, as they always
do, and have provided the
integral support needed to care
for these rescued horses. It is
not an exaggeration to call the
people at GERL ‘lifesavers,’”
said Irvin. “The work they do
is invaluable to the horses of
Georgia.”
The Georgia
Equine Rescue League is managing
the logistics of equine feed and
hay. To send a donation which
may be earmarked specifically
for this case, send a check to:
Georgia Equine Rescue League
P.O. Box 787
Locust Grove, GA 30248
Place "Pike
County Impound" in the check’s
memo line. For more information
see
www.gerlltd.org/ or
www.agr.georgia.gov
# # #
Thank you,
thank you, GERL for handling the
trojan's job of feed/hay
logistics for this impoundment.
Your effort has allowed the
Department to concentrate on
animal care, case investigation,
and enforcement action. Truly a
"win-win" for the horses
in need.
Updated: February 5, 2007
The Georgia
Equine Rescue League has played
an integral part recently in
supporting the Georgia
Department of Agriculture in the
neglect case in Pike County.
Several tons of hay and feed
have been delivered by the GERL
already. Plans are being
formulated to deliver several
more tons of hay and feed in
days to come.
While
donations of feed, hay, and
supplies are needed and
appreciated, the easiest and
quickest way to help GERL help
the horses is with a monetary
donation. Over the past year
GERL has donated over $50,000 to
support this situation and other
needs of the Equine Program of
the Georgia Department of
Agriculture. To send a tax
deductible donation which may be
earmarked for this specific
case, send a check to:
Georgia
Equine Rescue League
PO Box 787
Locust Grove, GA 30248
Place in the memo line "Pike
County Impound"
A special
“THANK YOU” to following
companies for their very
generous donations.
Those wishing
to volunteer for labor should
contact the GDA directly at
404-656-3713. Additional press
releases concerning this
situation can also be found on
the Department of Agriculture's
website.
Friday, February 02, 2007
From Brian Dees, GERL
President
Many of you
have already heard about the
farm in Pike County that is
under investigation for
allegations of animal
cruelty/abuse. I am writing to
inform our membership, and all
those non members who visit our
site about the case, and the
position of the GERL.
First and
foremost, no member of the GERL
Board of Directors, or any
member of the GERL has been
authorized to speak on behalf of
the Georgia Department of
Agriculture, or any other agency
involved. And for the sake of
not compromising the case of any
investigating entity, we have no
official opinion concerning ANY
of the allegations, charges, or
investigations that may or may
not be under way at this time.
In short, we are going to leave
the “lawyering” and legal
positioning up to those whose
job it is to do such things.
We are going
to engage ourselves in the
business that we are in….taking
care of horses. Please know that
since the first day the GDA was
informed of this situation, we
have been working very closely
with the Department, and are
supporting their requests in
each and every manner that is
within our capabilities. Also
please know that we are going to
continue to do that as long as
possible, or until this matter
is resolved.
With that in
mind, guess what? Yup! We need
your donations now more than
ever. This is one of the largest
operations we have ever found
ourselves in support of
throughout the entire history of
the GERL, and it is going to
cost a LOT of money.
I have been
asked by Dr. Lee Myers of the
GDA to inform everyone to PLEASE
not just make general donations
of feed, hay or other things.
The vast experience of GDA in
rehabilitating starved horses,
has led to the formation of a
strict protocol concerning types
of feed and hay which are
acceptable to stressed equine
digestive systems. Your
donations of cash would assist
greatly in obtaining the most
beneficial nutrients for these
severely debilitated animals. We
MUST operate within the Incident
Command System, and we must give
this our very best COORDINATED
effort.
Preparations
are being made to sustain this
operation for a long period of
time. We need you to call us,
and volunteer your time, your
money, and your efforts with us,
so that we can plan, coordinate
and execute these operations in
an orderly fashion that can be
administered in a fashion that
will be of the utmost benefit to
the horses involved….
Remember…IT’S ALL ABOUT THE
HORSES!
Please check
our website often as it will
contain updates from the GDA.
|
|
|
|
