Doing business with JILL BURNELL? BEWARE.

[Leg-Up]

Auction Updates

Auction Items Closing This Evening, Fri Jan 25 2013:
[SUP](Note that auction closes at time indicated or approximately 5 minutes after last bid)
[/SUP]
21:10:00 EST 2 breeding doses (frozen) to RID stallion, Touch Of The Blues
21:25:00 EST 1 Pair of Ceramic Horse Head Hooks
21:40:00 EST Virtual EquID Custom Horse ID Cards, for 3 horses
21:55:00 EST 1 Breeding to the Oldenburg Stallion, Airborn
22:10:00 EST 1 Breeding to the Connemara stallion, W.H. Topgun

Don’t Miss!!
We accidentally listed a 17.5" Collegiate Saddle under “other items” rather than “Tack” (which is of course where it should have been placed!) - bidding closes on this item at 21:10 on Sunday 1/27/2013 - follow that link for more details.

Tally to Date/Time of Posting

[table=“width: 70%, class: grid, align: center”]
[tr]
[td]Date[/td]
[td]Total
Winning
Bids[/td]
[td]Payments Received to Date
[SUP](Google Checkout, PayPal or other payment commissions not deducted)[/SUP][/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 10-16, 2013[/td]
[td]$15,379.00[/td]
[td]$12,414[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 17, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,650.00[/td]
[td]$1,650[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 18, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,750.00[/td]
[td]$1,150[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 19, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,064.50[/td]
[td]$744.50[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 20, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,250.00[/td]
[td]$1,250[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 21, 2013[/td]
[td]$890[/td]
[td]$245[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 22, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,660[/td]
[td]$1,550[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 23, 2013[/td]
[td]$495[/td]
[td]$250[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 24, 2013[/td]
[td]$513[/td]
[td]$210[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]TOTALS:[/td]
[td]$24,651.50[/td]
[td]$19,463.50[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

[b]Please note that we are no longer accepting donations specifically in aid of the Marin Humane Society. We are however accepting donations in aid of other current and future situations, and will keep the auction going as long as we have items donated!

It goes without saying - but we very happily say it anyway - that we offer a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has donated or participated in the auction so far!![/b]

[Leg-Up]

Auction Updates

Auction Items Closing This Evening, Mon Jan 28 2013:
[SUP](Note that auction closes at time indicated or approximately 5 minutes after last bid)[/SUP]

21:10:00 EST Sanoran Symphony 29" x 18" Print
21:25:00 EST Wild, Wild West (Yellowstone) 29" x 18" Print
21:40:00 EST Two brand new kitchen dish towels, embroidered with a Welsh Pony design
21:55:00 EST 1 breeding to the Hanoverian stallion, Schwarzenegger
22:10:00 EST 1 (LFG) Breeding to Lifetime Approved Danish Warmblood Stallion, Cobra One

Tally to Date/Time of Posting

[table=“width: 70%, class: grid, align: center”]
[tr]
[td]Date[/td]
[td]Total
Winning
Bids[/td]
[td]Payments Received to Date
[SUP](Google Checkout, PayPal or other payment commissions not deducted)[/SUP][/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 10-23, 2013[/td]
[td]$24,138.50[/td]
[td]$20,088.50[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 24, 2013[/td]
[td]$513[/td]
[td]$380[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 25, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,472[/td]
[td]$1,100[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 26, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,505[/td]
[td]$1,505[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 27, 2013[/td]
[td]$575[/td]
[td]$455[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]TOTALS:[/td]
[td]$28,203.50[/td]
[td]$23,528.50[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

[b]Please note that we are no longer accepting donations specifically in aid of the Marin Humane Society. We are however accepting donations in aid of other current and future situations, and will keep the auction going as long as we have items donated!

It goes without saying - but we very happily say it anyway - that we offer a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has donated or participated in the auction so far!![/b]

[Leg-Up]

The Penultimate Auction!! Last One Tomorrow!!

Auction Items Closing This Evening, Tue Jan 29 2013:
[SUP](Note that auction closes at time indicated or approximately 5 minutes after last bid)[/SUP]

21:10:00 EST Acrylic 10" x 8" Horse Head Painting
21:25:00 EST Acrylic 12" x 12" Unicorn Foal Painting
21:40:00 EST Acrylic 16" x 20" Horse Painting
21:55:00 EST Custom Equine or Canine Pencil Portrait
22:10:00 EST “Chinese Treasure” Giant Panda print. by Charles Frace
22:25:00 EST 2 Lessons with Heather Bailey or John Strassburger of Phoenix Farm

Tally to Date/Time of Posting

[table=“width: 70%, class: grid, align: center”]
[tr]
[td]Date[/td]
[td]Total
Winning
Bids[/td]
[td]Payments Received to Date
[SUP](Google Checkout, PayPal or other payment commissions not deducted)[/SUP][/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 10-23, 2013[/td]
[td]$24,138.50[/td]
[td]$20,088.50[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 24, 2013[/td]
[td]$513[/td]
[td]$380[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 25, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,472[/td]
[td]$1,100[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 26, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,505[/td]
[td]$1,505[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 27, 2013[/td]
[td]$575[/td]
[td]$455[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 28, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,150[/td]
[td]$1,040[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]TOTALS:[/td]
[td]$29,353.50[/td]
[td]$24,568.50[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

[b]Please note that we are no longer accepting donations specifically in aid of the Marin Humane Society. We are however accepting donations for future auctions in aid of other situations!

It goes without saying - but we very happily say it anyway - that we offer a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has donated or participated in the auction so far!![/b]

[Leg-Up]

Auction Updates - 1/30/2013 - The last one!!

This Is It! The Last Auction in the Series!
Thank you everyone for your support!!!

Auction Items Closing This Evening, Wed Jan 30 2013:
[SUP](Note that auction closes at time indicated or approximately 5 minutes after last bid)[/SUP]

21:10:00 EST 3 doses of frozen semen from Oldenburg stallion, Bravo
21:25:00 EST 1 Professional Print by Dee Seiden - Arabian
21:40:00 EST 1 Professional Print by Dee Seiden - Thoroughbred
21:55:00 EST Custom Horse Portrait 8" x 10"
22:10:00 EST 1 Emerald Valley Gift Pack

Tally to Date/Time of Posting

[table=“width: 70%, class: grid, align: center”]
[tr]
[td]Date[/td]
[td]Total
Winning
Bids[/td]
[td]Payments Received to Date
[SUP](Google Checkout, PayPal or other payment commissions not deducted)[/SUP][/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 10-23, 2013[/td]
[td]$24,138.50[/td]
[td]$20,088.50[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 24, 2013[/td]
[td]$513[/td]
[td]$380[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 25, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,472[/td]
[td]$1,100[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 26, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,505[/td]
[td]$1,505[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 27, 2013[/td]
[td]$575[/td]
[td]$455[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 28, 2013[/td]
[td]$1,150[/td]
[td]$1,040[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]January 29, 2013[/td]
[td]$355[/td]
[td]$105[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]TOTALS:[/td]
[td]$29,708.50[/td]
[td]$24,673.50[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

[b]Please note that we are no longer accepting donations specifically in aid of the Marin Humane Society. We are however accepting donations for future auctions in aid of other situations!

It goes without saying - but we very happily say it anyway - that we offer a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has donated or participated in the auction so far!![/b]

[Sonesta]

There are new news reports and official report on Marin County website and local newspapers and Rate My Horse Pro.

http://petaluma.patch.com/articles/attorneys-continue-to-fire-salvos-in-horse-neglect-case-900d6715#photo-13031706

https://www.kintera.org/site/c.aiIOI3NLKgKYF/b.8490959/k.5C3E/West_Marin_Horse_Case/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=aiIOI3NLKgKYF&b=8490959&en=cnJAJGPlHbLCLGPjF2KyGNNsHjLTLYNtF8LHIQNkHdILKKOqGrF

http://www.ratemyhorsepro.com/news/independent-hearing-officer-rules-second-seizure-of-jill-burnells-horses-justified.aspx

[Mara]

[QUOTE=Sonesta;6810743]
There are new news reports and official report on Marin County website and local newspapers and Rate My Horse Pro.

http://petaluma.patch.com/articles/attorneys-continue-to-fire-salvos-in-horse-neglect-case-900d6715#photo-13031706

https://www.kintera.org/site/c.aiIOI3NLKgKYF/b.8490959/k.5C3E/West_Marin_Horse_Case/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=aiIOI3NLKgKYF&b=8490959&en=cnJAJGPlHbLCLGPjF2KyGNNsHjLTLYNtF8LHIQNkHdILKKOqGrF

http://www.ratemyhorsepro.com/news/independent-hearing-officer-rules-second-seizure-of-jill-burnells-horses-justified.aspx[/QUOTE]

Oh, it’s that old “The Humane Society seized the horses to spur fundraising” argument. :rolleyes:

Someone needs to put the word out that Leg-Up’s fundraising (over $20K, I think?) was entirely the idea of the Leg-Up people and others on CoTH. It did not happen because Marin came knocking on the door asking for money.

As an aside, I see Jill Burnell is not a subscriber to the mindset of “I feed my horses before I feed myself”. She appears to be extremely well-fed in that photo just below the poor skinny mare.

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=Sonesta;6810743]
There are new news reports and official report on Marin County website and local newspapers and Rate My Horse Pro.

http://petaluma.patch.com/articles/attorneys-continue-to-fire-salvos-in-horse-neglect-case-900d6715#photo-13031706

https://www.kintera.org/site/c.aiIOI3NLKgKYF/b.8490959/k.5C3E/West_Marin_Horse_Case/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=aiIOI3NLKgKYF&b=8490959&en=cnJAJGPlHbLCLGPjF2KyGNNsHjLTLYNtF8LHIQNkHdILKKOqGrF

http://www.ratemyhorsepro.com/news/independent-hearing-officer-rules-second-seizure-of-jill-burnells-horses-justified.aspx[/QUOTE]

Thanks for updating us.

I will say her lawyer is working hard on her behalf. I sure hope she gets paid when she is done because she deserves to be.

[Appsolute]

^^^ My guess is the lawyer will get paid in horses - after all, Jill does not have the funds to properly house her horses, or herself, so I am not sure how she would have cash to pay for an attorney.

[Callmeacab]

The Humane Society’s update is much more detailed and disturbing.

Once again, Marin Humane Society’s seizure of neglected horses upheld after hearing

Owners have not demonstrated their ability to provide necessary care for the horses

NOVATO, CALIF. — After a seven-hour hearing on January 24 detailing severe animal neglect, an independent Hearing Officer today ruled that Marin Humane Society Animal Services, a division of the non-profit Marin Humane Society (MHS), properly rescued two mares named “Blackie” and “Nutsie” from Gray Fox Farm on January 4. The ruling comes on the heels of a January 14 decision which found that MHS was justified in the seizure of a badly wounded stallion and a malnourished mare from the same property on December 27, 2012. MHS continues to monitor the remaining animals at the Chileno Valley breeding farm occupied by Jill and Alex Burnell.

MHS Animal Services Officers visited Gray Fox Farm on December 27 to find severe neglect, injuries, and inhumane living conditions for horses living on the property. Two horses known as “Romantic Star” and “Pookie” were taken by MHS on that date. After the Burnells failed to respond to a care agreement and its deadlines for veterinary and hoof care for some of the horses, MHS returned to the property on January 4 to find the problems were ongoing, and more horses were in need of prompt attention.

Animal Services Officers could see that there were still very thin horses on the property and a lack of sufficient pasture or feed. There were bushes stripped down to bark, indicating that the horses were suffering from extreme deprivation of food, forcing them to eat anything they could find.

Officers found that Nutsie and Blackie were particularly affected to the point of near starvation. Nutsie had no fat across the crest of her neck. Her shoulder blades and withers stood out prominently. Blackie’s shoulder blades, backbone and hip bones stuck out. With a thick heavy coat, officers could still see all her ribs. Officers could feel no discernible fat behind Blackie’s legs, on her chest or above her crest. Her neck was sunken in dramatically.

Humane officers have a duty and the authority to remove animals if it is deemed that prompt action is required to protect their health or safety, or if the officers believe animal cruelty is being committed and a seizure is necessary.

“For the second time, the hearing officer, after reviewing extensive evidence, recognized the suffering of horses seized from the Burnells, and the need for the horses’ liberation from their deteriorating condition. This should be a further wake-up call regarding the expectation in Marin, and under California law, that animals be treated properly,” said Bruce Wagman of the Schiff Hardin law firm, who is representing the Marin Humane Society. “The ruling also makes very clear that the Burnells are not in a position to properly care for the horses.”

[lilacotti]

http://petaluma.patch.com/articles/a...photo-13031706
“Wagman the confiscated horses are recovering well. Animal control officers have not made additional visits to Gray Fox Farms, he said.”

This quote is MOST disturbing!

[horsenut93136]

[QUOTE=lilacotti;6810957]
http://petaluma.patch.com/articles/a...photo-13031706
“Wagman the confiscated horses are recovering well. Animal control officers have not made additional visits to Gray Fox Farms, he said.”

This quote is MOST disturbing![/QUOTE]

Agreed. How are the horses being monitored?

[Mara]

[QUOTE=horsenut93136;6810968]
Agreed. How are the horses being monitored?[/QUOTE]

And how do we know that Jill hasn’t hidden more of them?

[FalseImpression]

I wondered also when I first read that…

[lauriep]

[QUOTE=Mara;6810985]
And how do we know that Jill hasn’t hidden more of them?[/QUOTE]
Not a thing you can do about that unless they are all seized. No one has an injunction to stop her from selling or moving horses off the property. At least not that has been publicly noted.

[DownYonder]

[QUOTE=lilacotti;6810957]
http://petaluma.patch.com/articles/a...photo-13031706
“Wagman the confiscated horses are recovering well. Animal control officers have not made additional visits to Gray Fox Farms, he said.”

This quote is MOST disturbing![/QUOTE]

Agree. I wonder how many of the other horses have gone downhill in the past few weeks?

[trubandloki]

MHS has been on the ball to this point. Why assume their comment that they are not stopping in means more than what is stated. I doubt they are just ignoring the rest of the horses. Let them do their job, they are the people who know the whole story and the best way to deal with it.

[NJRider]

But hasn’t the “Patch” been questioned before regarding their accuracy?

[Lynnwood]

I’m sorry but I can barely stomach the claims made by Jill’s lawyer. That women has almost a better imagination then Jill. What is the most horrific to me is that Mrs.Weems is a horse owner. I know she is paid to do a job…but as simply a horse owner how can she justify attempting to return horses back into that situation. It is beyond vile.

"One horse taken off the property last month was Romantic Star, a stallion known nationally among warmblood breeders and in dressage circles. Weems said Romantic Star was just muddy and slightly injured from a fight with another stallion. He is being treated at a veterinary clinic on the campus of UC Davis along with two mares from the farm. The Marin Humane Society is caring for the fourth horse.Just prior to the December Romantic Star has been sold to a woman in Georgia who wants custody, but the horse is seen as evidence in a criminal investigation, Weems said.
Weems has maintained the confiscated horses that appeared thin were not neglected, malnourished or mistreated and that they should have been returned to the Burnells’ custody immediately after they were evaluated.
. "But all the blo"If a horse really is starving or has medical conditions that perhaps causes an unsightly or thin appearance, there are blood panels and chemical tests that will reveal whether or not a horse is in a metabolic condition so that somebody could objectively say a horse may not be receiving sufficient calories," Weems saidod tests were normal for these horses and scored better (on a body condition scale) than the scores given by the Marin Humane Society."
Wagman said the animal control officers acted accordingly after receiving calls of concern from people who saw ribs showing prominently on the bellies of several horses at pasture.
“There’s a difference between being thin and being in a state of near starvation and suffering,” Wagman said, “and these horses were in the latter category. People who are facing charges of neglect … they always try to put it over that it wasn’t that bad. But the spaces between these horses’ ribs were not normal. … In both situations, there was a need for prompt action.”

[mbm]

honestly? i think there is hyperbole on both sides… that is what attorney’s ( and politicians!) do.

we, will never really know what is going on. and why should we? it really has nothing to do with most of us.

i still hope that those that were allegedly ripped off are taking actions …

and i also hope that this thread is not used against MHS or others…

[VirginiaBred]

From www.thehorse.com - [h=1]Owner Sues Humane Group over Stallion Seizure[/h]
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/31319/owner-sues-humane-group-over-stallion-seizure