Has anyone heard of this?
Here’s an older story
https://www.usracing.com/news/analysis/shocking-untold-story-maria-borell
More recent
https://www.usracing.com/news/analysis/update-borell-horses-dire-condition
It’s been talked about pretty extensively on the later pages of this current thread: http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?479027-Runhappy-s-trainer-fired-day-after-Breeder-s-Cup
There is a lot on Facebook about this. The state vet refuses to do anything.
So sick!
Maybe a billboard with a picture of one of the horses and words to the effect of: The Kentucky state veterinarian thinks this horse looks healthy. If you disagree call him at: 502-782-5901
But I don’t live there. I live in Virginia and we need to do something similar!
[QUOTE=LookmaNohands;8722581]
There is a lot on Facebook about this. The state vet refuses to do anything. [/QUOTE]
Perhaps this is out of the purview of the state veterinarian? I would really be thinking it is the responsibility of local LE and legal system.
[QUOTE=LookmaNohands;8722581]
There is a lot on Facebook about this. The state vet refuses to do anything.
So sick!
Maybe a billboard with a picture of one of the horses and words to the effect of: The Kentucky state veterinarian thinks this horse looks healthy. If you disagree call him at: 502-782-5901
But I don’t live there. I live in Virginia and we need to do something similar![/QUOTE]
Rubbish about VA. There is certainly always need for improvement but to connect VA, a top tier state on this issue, to KY, rated at the bottom (50th) consistently, is ridiculous.
Get your facts straight.
Actually, Shammy, our VA animal laws are pretty good for protecting cats and dogs, not so great for horses which fall under the category of livestock. It is not easy to seize horses in VA, they pretty much have to be at death’s door. And, like anywhere, it boils down to how the laws are enforced.
That said, Kentucky has more problems than many places. At least there is pressure from the local (and national) horsemen to get something done for the Borell horses. Imagine how many situations that don’t have this high profile go unresolved.
Additional coverage of the case in today’s TDN: http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/borell-linked-to-40-neglected-horses/
[QUOTE=JJ’sLuckyTrain;8724554]
Actually, Shammy, our VA animal laws are pretty good for protecting cats and dogs, not so great for horses which fall under the category of livestock. It is not easy to seize horses in VA, they pretty much have to be at death’s door. And, like anywhere, it boils down to how the laws are enforced.
That said, Kentucky has more problems than many places. At least there is pressure from the local (and national) horsemen to get something done for the Borell horses. Imagine how many situations that don’t have this high profile go unresolved.[/QUOTE]
I appreciate where you are coming from, but I hardly consider the chronic circumstances in KY comparable to VA. As a journeyman, I volunteered my time and materials to a number of local rescues and I am certainly aware that improvement is warranted. Clearly, a KY law that prohibits veterinarians from reporting any animal abuse is morally and ethically wrong. Even with all the national pressure, the laws in KY are limited. The courts have their hands tied. You know that.
Further, the previous suggestion that VA should advertise horse abuse with graphic pictures on highway billboards is an over reach and over estimation of the problem in VA. As you state, horses are livestock. They are also personal property.
As far as the high profile situation of the Borell horses. Clearly, the state is ignoring the problem. There have been plenty of significant cases in KY. All you need to do is google KY horse welfare enforcement and you will have more than a few hours of reading. One significant case in particular that involved about 50 horses, encouraged a local KY animal welfare officer to resign because the case was not prosecuted in court. I suspect it will be the same for Borell case and if it does end up in court, as I understand it, its a misdemeanor.
I have always found in our rural area of VA that animal welfare enforcement is consistent and timely. I shouldn’t have to be defending VA anyway. Certainly, not in this case.
It’s all over the news here in Louisville.
A short concise update
http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/kentucky-ag-department-offers-update-on-neglected-horses/
Her father has now been charged
[QUOTE=snaffle1987;8726407]
Her father has now been charged[/QUOTE]
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/212868/chuck-borell-charged-with-animal-cruelty
[QUOTE=Shammy Davis;8722737]
Rubbish about VA. There is certainly always need for improvement but to connect VA, a top tier state on this issue, to KY, rated at the bottom (50th) consistently, is ridiculous.
Get your facts straight.
[QUOTE=LookmaNohands;8726494]
Case in point: http://www.dailypress.com/tidewater-review/news/dp-judge-insufficient-evidence-to-remove-42-horses-from-rescue-s-possession-20160622-story.html[/QUOTE]
Really? Did you read the article? It was handled in court on a point of law. This is what you base your comments on? It went to a VA court and a judge made a decision. This is an imaginative interlude on your part to prove your point. This was a private VA rescue facility trying to do the right thing from all reports. The owner is going to trial in August. VA will have to prove its case against her. The problem in KY is that abuse cases don’t get processed and don’t go to court. If you want to exaggerate the problem in VA and be a “Chicken Little,” have at it. Better yet, with all your do good thinking, why don’t you volunteer at a horse rescue. If your hands and feet move as fast as you spout off, you will be a big help.
[QUOTE=Shammy Davis;8726528]
Really? Did you read the article? It was handled in court on a point of law. This is what you base your comments on? It went to a VA court and a judge made a decision. This is an imaginative interlude on your part to prove your point. This was a private VA rescue facility trying to do the right thing from all reports. The owner is going to trial in August. VA will have to prove its case against her. The problem in KY is that abuse cases don’t get processed and don’t go to court. If you want to exaggerate the problem in VA and be a “Chicken Little,” have at it. Better yet, with all your do good thinking, why don’t you volunteer at a horse rescue. If your hands and feet move as fast as you spout off, you will be a big help.[/QUOTE]
If the authorities had moved faster in the Peaceable Farms case, some of those horses would still be alive!!! The Lipizzan stallion was seen ALIVE just two weeks earlier, though in terrible condition. Many people complained for months about those horses and local authorities did NOTHING!!! That stallion and many others DIED because of lack of action. There were many dead dogs, cats and goats too!
I have no idea why you are taking offense to my post. There have been many cases in VA that authorities have ignored all the people calling and trying to get something done, while the horses suffered!!
This Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vaforanimals/ was set up after the Peaceable Farms case to get the laws changed in VA. They are NOT that great!! I have first hand knowledge of the laws as I wrote an article back in the late 90’s about how Humane Investigator, Hilleary Bogely of the Middleburg Humane Foundation got the law changed for the better! It has not changed since!
I have one adopted mule from MHF, I have fostered others and offered training services for several others.
Here is a recent case. There were 40 previous charges against them before authorities took action: https://www.facebook.com/shencosheriff/photos/a.130529123648868.10931.113316308703483/1019619578073147/?type=3&theater
No. We have work to do here in Virginia!!
So, if you’ve got an issue about VA animal and horse welfare enforcement start a thread on an appropriate forum. This is the horse racing forum and the Borell racing connection is the reason why this thread is located here. I checked and you are a stranger here and apparently have an axe to grind not necessarily involved with racing. Last, I checked racing is dead in VA. Your post doesn’t have anything to do with VA horse racing or U S racing.
When you have something to say that involves racing I will be less offended particularly when you show up to drag VA into an issue it isn’t connected to. Good luck with your graphic billboards.
Also I believe an individual is innocent until proven guilty.
Arrest warrant issued for Maria Borell. http://www.ratemyhorsepro.com/arrest-warrant-issued-maria-borell-kentucky/
Officials with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture June 29 charged trainer Maria Borell and her father, Charles “Chuck” Borell,
What is it with these people? The KY AG Dept. has NO enforcement powers.
Only LAW ENFORCEMENT can press charges.
Yup, I get extremely ticked off when Rusty Ford, Dr. Stout, Shane Mitchell et al claim that THEY are in charge.
[QUOTE=Shammy Davis;8726767]
So, if you’ve got an issue about VA animal and horse welfare enforcement start a thread on an appropriate forum. This is the horse racing forum and the Borell racing connection is the reason why this thread is located here. I checked and you are a stranger here and apparently have an axe to grind not necessarily involved with racing. Last, I checked racing is dead in VA. Your post doesn’t have anything to do with VA horse racing or U S racing.
When you have something to say that involves racing I will be less offended particularly when you show up to drag VA into an issue it isn’t connected to. Good luck with your graphic billboards.
Also I believe an individual is innocent until proven guilty.[/QUOTE]
Who made you post dictator of the day? I know Maria Borell is one of your oddly designated favorites but it is pretty clear what she has done. The horses are her responsibility, no matter how much back peddling baloney goes on. And, just so you know I have the right to say what I think is germaine, I tried rescuing some horses myself, state vet came, Loudoun County sheriff’s came, nothing was done, I came home to the man who owned and abused these horses pulling the last mare with a foal along by a chain around the neck to a waiting trailer. I had been advised to do the old Texas, let the fence down and take in estray livestock (Virginia law, I am sure you know, or you can check for yourself). It was winter, and bitter cold and I did not have a trailer nor could I ask someone to break the law for the sake of this poor mare. That was before 2007, I would hope things have changed, but probably they have not.
This was on Julie Krone’s page, I am sure she will not mind be posting this.
Julie Krone shared Mary Adkins-Matthews’s post.
June 28 at 8:26pm ·
‘Maria Borell’
‘Silver Cliff… owned by Maria Borell’
Mary Adkins-Matthews added 2 new photos.
June 27 at 8:11pm ·
"URGENT PLEASE SHARE: Maria Borell is back in NY apparently staying with her father near Syracuse and supposedly looking for free horses at Finger Lakes. PLEASE SHARE AND NEVER GIVE HER ANY HORSE!:
Photos will not copy but you can contact either Julie, or the photographer named.
