Please visit the ACE website for other areas of interest and membership information
Arizona Coalition for Equines
ACE
Public Meeting Notes
September 21, 2010
Radisson Suites Hotel Tucson Airport
Introductions: Welcome to ACE!
The second public meeting of ACE was held on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 in Tucson. Thank you to Lisa Neff, Sales Director at the Radisson Suites Hotel Tucson Airport for assisting us in finding such a terrific location for our meeting.
Kari Nienstedt; State Director for the Humane Society of the United States and Interim Chairperson for ACE opened the meeting by welcoming over 30 participants representing a diverse background of equine welfare agencies, law enforcement and the private sector. The PowerPoint presentation used at the first public meeting in Phoenix in June of 2010 was reviewed for new participants. This presentation is now available on the ACE website at www.ArizonaCoalitionforequines.org. Please refer to the public meeting notes of June 30, 2010 also available on the ACE website, for more detailed information about the ACE mission. The Interim Board of Directors was introduced. Board members Karen Pomroy and Betty Welton were unable to attend.
Interim Officers
Chair: Kari Nienstedt Humane Society of the United States
Vice Chair: Mike Duffey Animal Cruelty Task Force and Cruelty Investigator-Humane Society of Southern Arizona
Secretary: Carol Grubb Eclectic Equine
Treasurer: Joey Ogburn Luv Shack Ranch Rescue
Members at Large
Michael Hutchison, DVM
Betty Welton Healing Hearts Rescue
Karen Pomroy Equine Voices Rescue and Sanctuary
Based on the group discussion and brainstorming session from the June 30, 2010 meeting, areas have been identified as high priority to address as action items.
Law Enforcement in Arizona relating to existing Animal Cruelty Laws as specified by A.R.S. 13-2910, in addition to County codes and City ordinances. Mike Duffey, Co-Chair of the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Southern Arizona, Cruelty Investigator for the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, and Interim Vice Chair of the ACE organization, presented information and strategies to address the challenges. Mr. Duffey has extensive experience and expertise in the field of law enforcement, animal cruelty investigations, and inter-agency collaboration in the prosecution of animal crimes. There is a critical need for public education regarding:
The concept of Right vs. wrong vs. illegal behavior in the treatment of animals, specifically equines, was covered. Law enforcement agencies can only act if there is a violation of existing laws. ARS 13-2910 dictates the violations that may be enforced statewide. There are also county and city ordinances.
Goal: Educate the public on what constitutes violations that need to be reported. Mr. Duffey will work with ACE and the ACE Education committees to develop strategies and forums to accomplish this.
Public Reporting of Suspected Violations of Neglect, Cruelty, Abandonment
There have been complaints from the public of frustration and anger when people have made numerous attempts to report distressing treatment or lack of care for equines, and have been unable to make contact with the appropriate law enforcement agency to ensure there is follow up to their report. The Department of Agriculture-Livestock Division, used to have 200 Livestock Officers who were assigned to complaints regarding equines. There are currently 8 Officers for the entire state of Arizona and they are overwhelmed by the needs.
For complaints regarding equines:
-Call 911 Law Enforcement FIRST when there is suspected violations of the Animal Cruelty Laws. It was emphasized that people who do not get a response to their complaint need to convince local law enforcement to investigate. If necessary, you are encouraged to make repeated phone calls and complaints until the situation is checked into and/or resolved that there is or is not a violation. If necessary, call the State Attorney General’s office. Probable cause must exist based on the complaint, as must evidence. If there are witnesses to the complaint, it is important that they are willing to come forward. If need be remind the dispatcher that Animal Cruelty can be a felony in the state of Arizona.
-If possible, take pictures or videotape of the situation to provide to Law Enforcement
Agencies.
-Do not go home and make the complaint via email. Make the call as soon as you are aware of a situation
-Do not involve the media before involving law enforcement
Mr. Duffey also explained that city police officers are not always aware of the state statutes and their role in enforcing the Animal Cruelty laws.
Goals: Mr. Duffey will be addressing these issues in training sessions with Law Enforcement agencies.
-Educate dispatchers to involve law enforcement officers immediately
rather than referring callers to the Dept of Agriculture.
-Provide training to Law Enforcement Agencies re: state, county and city statutes and ordinances and their roles in response to complaints.
Public Education and Training for equine owners regarding guidelines and standards of care for equines, which reflect the current laws on neglect, cruelty, and abandonment.
-When concerns and complaints are called in regarding the welfare of equines, the first objective is assessment by law enforcement as to whether or not the complaint is a violation, and can be rectified with education of the owner, i.e., frequency of hoof care, amount of feed required per equine per day, access to clean water etc. Many times owners are not aware of the level of care required to maintain equines in good health and in a safe environment. Mr. Duffey feels that some owners can be assisted to raise the level of care when provided with guidelines to properly care for their equines and keep them at home. If after education is offered and/or provided and there is a continued lack of care or neglect, then the criminal code/violation will be followed. Occasionally equines may need to be seized as evidence if there is criminal violation.
Questions from participants re: the Law Enforcement Presentation:
Q: Is there any move or a need to change the existing animal cruelty statutes to make them tighter and how does Arizona rank in relation to other states for equine protection? Some people commented the ranchers have been somewhat protected from the laws as they exist relative to care for their livestock, to include equines?
A: The current statutes provide strong enough “teeth”. Mr. Duffey feels Arizona is a leader with the statutory laws as they currently exist. The issues lie with the prosecutors and law enforcement. Complaints and violations need to be investigated and prosecuted. There also needs to be education for the Judges hearing the cases. These entities need to understand that the public is serious about enforcing the laws, prosecuting, and sentencing as needed. Although Arizona is not where it needs to be in relation to these issues, overall is doing a whole lot better than other states.
Q: What about follow up for violators, who will ensure that it is done?
A: This is potentially an area where ACE members can be of assistance to law enforcement via multi-faceted assistance and follow up programs. Mr. Duffey’s goal is to ensure owners are responsible for improving the care level of their equines, with education and under supervision.
Q: Who determines the level of care that horses need, for example, “hard keepers.”
A: Veterinarians will need to be more involved, esp. when there are underlying medical conditions that are challenging to overcome with debilitated equines.
Law Enforcement Summary
Potential solutions to the existing challenges:
-ACE members can be trained to provide educational information to the public and equine owners regarding standards of care and how to improve the health and well being of equines
-Training needs to be provided on Inter-Agency cooperation. Training sessions are already being scheduled.
-Inter-Rescue Cooperation: Identify the current resources and encourage communication and support. Develop and maintain updated resource lists of viable Rescue organizations.
-Tap into the experience of the Dept of Ag for education of the public and Law Enforcement agencies
-Training of Law Enforcement agencies and Officers in their roles and responsibilities in carrying out the existing laws. This will include training and information of dispatch personnel.
-Training for Prosecutors and Judges
-Public involvement to make Prosecutors and Judges aware this area of law enforcement is a high priority to the community
*For further information regarding Law Enforcement and the Animal Cruelty Statutes contact Mike Duffey, Animal Cruelty Investigator; Humane Society of Southern Arizona at 520-881-7420 or email mduffey@hssaz.org.
Needs In Arizona
A high priority need among equine caregivers across the Nation is assistance with feed and ancillary care during times of financial hardship. Many equine caregivers face difficult decisions when they are unable to pay for feed or other care services. Other states are currently addressing this issue with the development of Hay Banks for feed assistance, and the identification of Rescue organizations that might be available to provide additional support for owners in need. The Oregon Horse Welfare Council and the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition are examples of organizations that are currently running successful programs.
Several Rescue organizations in Arizona have also begun programs to provide assistance to equine caregivers in several areas such as euthanasia services, gelding, and a hay bank. These services are currently available only on a local level and are somewhat limited.
ACE is committed to enhancing the lives of all equines in Arizona through education and assistance to owners. To accomplish this, ACE has implemented a statewide Feed and Assistance fund to provide help on a temporary basis to eligible applicants, and supportive educational processes in accordance with ACE protocol. The objective is to assist in keeping equines in their homes until such time as any financial challenges can be reconciled. A temporary helping hand can make the difference in keeping equines in their homes. The Assistance Fund is designed to offer temporary, short-term help to equine owners, law enforcement agencies, and rescue/sanctuary organizations which may be facing financial hardship and challenges in providing adequate services for equines in their care.
Assistance areas include hay/feed, Farrier, Dental, Gelding, Vaccinations, Boarding fees, Veterinary Assessment and minor treatments, and minor containment repair or supplies such as fencing, water tanks, etc. It is stressed that this assistance is limited and meant to be on a short-term temporary basis to keep equines in their present homes. It is not intended to supersede or replace any existing assistance programs from other agencies or rescue organizations but as a means to provide additional resources.
Assistance areas include hay/feed, Farrier, Dental, Gelding, Vaccinations, Boarding fees, Veterinary Assessment and minor treatments, and minor containment repair or supplies such as fencing, water tanks, etc. It is stressed that this assistance is limited and meant to be on a short-term temporary basis to keep equines in their present homes. It is not intended to supersede or replace any existing assistance programs from other agencies or rescue organizations but as a means to provide additional resources.
This program is funded entirely by donations and contributions, which are tax deductible. The ACE organization is now accepting donations to build the required resources. Donations may be made via Paypal on the ACE website or checks made payable to Luv Shack Ranch c/o of ACE may be mailed to: ACE at 9121 E. Tanque Verde, 105-183 Tucson, AZ 85749. As a separate yet integral part of funding for this objective, an anonymous donor has made available monies to begin a Pilot Program, which will assist in getting the program up and running in Arizona. Donations made directly to ACE will be administered through the ACE organization, while the Pilot Program monies will be administered through Equine Voices Rescue and Sanctuary.
Complete information on this program and the eligibility and application process will soon be available on the ACE website at www.ArizonaCoalitionforEquines.org. This program will work closely with Law Enforcement agencies to provide educational and assistance resources to equine caregivers that have been referred through these agencies.
Under the direction of the ACE Board of Directors, Volunteers will be needed to implement this program.
Positions needed:
Statewide Coordinator to field all requests for assistance and assign a Field Responder to work with applicants.
Field Responders: Will initiate personal contacts with applicants, schedule site visits, coordinate services to eligible applicants and work cooperatively with law enforcement personnel as needed. Field responders will need a cell phone and email capability.
Ideas and Other Volunteer Opportunities:
-Foster Care: Short and long term for seized equines
-At Home Care Volunteers: Provide temporary assistance to owners during times of need such as illness, etc. so equines may remain at home during emergency situations.
-Equine Sitters: Develop a resource list
-ACE Hotline: maintain a phone to field incoming ACE calls (phone provided)
-Veterinarian Resources Dr. Michel Hutchison, ACE Board member, and Dr. Stacy Sickler have graciously offered to field “Ask the Vet” questions via phone. This service is not intended to replace regular Veterinary Care. Phone in your question to Kari Nienstedt at 480-381-4410 and your call will be directed to one of the Vets.
-Training for Volunteers on how to work with referrals from Law Enforcement and address cultural differences in standards of care for equines
-Training Classes for potential horse owners and/or new horse owners.
-Encouraging ACE Membership statewide via clubs, etc.
-Involving the public in the ACE mission
-Building credibility with Law Enforcement: encouraging willingness to respond to an educated public
-Explore tapping into existing anonymous hot line sources for reporting care concerns
-Educational programs for kids: explore the packet develop by the AZ Horse Council
-Develop ACE info flyers for distribution
-Distribute ACE membership applications
-Explore available Grant monies from corporations looking for teamwork in Coalitions
To Volunteer:
If you would like to be a part of any of the above areas, please contact Kari Nienstedt at 480-381-4410 or email knienstedt@humanesociety.org.
Membership Applications are now available for printout at the ACE website.
Next Meeting:
Day: Group consensus for Wednesday
Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Date and Location: TBA
Respectfully submitted by Carol Grubb
ACE Secretary
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