Bill a response to horses' deathsMeasure would penalize tampering with corral By Yvonne Wenger (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Monday, September 1, 2008
Grace Beahm Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston, walks one of his horses, Shrimp and Grits, through a pasture in Ridgeville on Friday. Limehouse is sponsoring a bill that would penalize tampering with a corral and allowing animals to escape. 
Richard Ray Paige Walter stands with her horse, Zabrina, which had to be euthanized after it was hit on a busy Johns Island road in mid-August. Walter and her husband, Richard Ray, suspect someone tampered with the horse's pen. COLUMBIA — Richard Ray's horse, Zabrina, knew something was going on the day she was euthanized. She was so scared, Ray said, with a look in her eye that asked, "Did I do something wrong?" The horse didn't, Ray said, but he suspects someone else did last month when Zabrina, another horse, Cynca, and Isabella, a pony, got out of a fenced pasture on Johns Island and were hit on River Road. Ray found the pasture gate opened and lifted off its hinges. "The whole thing is a horrible event," he said. "I am just furious. Something does need to be done." Rep. Chip Limehouse, a Charleston Republican, is answering that call by drafting legislation that would set penalties as high as $10,000 and a year's imprisonment for tampering with a corral. "I don't think it's harsh," Limehouse said. "When you willfully, knowingly and maliciously open or remove a gate or fence, you give a death sentence to the horses or cows that are going to escape to a busy road, and you run a risk of hurting or killing the person who runs into the livestock." A first offense for the proposed misdemeanor charge would begin with a $1,000 fine. The penalties now vary depending on the circumstances and the court's discretion. Charlie Karesh, president of the Charleston Animal Society's board, said he supports Limehouse's proposal and would like to see it apply to domestic animals that might be put in harm's way. "I don't know how often it happens; but if it happens once, that's too much," Karesh said. Limehouse, an equestrian, said he still is drafting the bill and hopes to pre-file it in December in advance of the Legislature's January return to Columbia. "We're no longer a small Southern state that can have livestock roaming free," Limehouse said. "Busy highways and livestock don't mix." Ray and his wife, Paige Walter, had to euthanize Zabrina because the horse suffered a pelvic fracture and would have been in chronic pain. The pony died on the scene and Cynca was badly injured but survived. "These horses were practically family members," Ray said. "This, for us, is as difficult and deeply emotional a thing that could occur." Besides the hurt, Ray said, the couple took a financial hit. Zabrina and Isabella were valued at $120,000 combined. The situation with the horses is not the only recent example of farm animals getting free. On Aug. 9, a police officer found a newborn calf roaming around homes in Mount Pleasant's Belle Hall. When returned to Three Gates Cattle Co., property manager Dale Floyd said the calf's mother wasn't receptive and the newborn had to be adopted as a pet. The cow was slaughtered because it was old and its health issues were exacerbated by its failure to nurse the calf. Floyd said the bill is a good idea but only if the police and judges are going to enforce the crime and penalties. "It needs to be prosecuted," he said. "That's the only way for it to become a deterrent." Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com. |
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Comments
This article has 21 comment(s)
Posted by charlestonroots on September 1, 2008 at 1:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This story just tears me up. The punishment is not near harsh enough. Whoever let the horses & pony out should be shot.
Posted by flowergirl on September 1, 2008 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas- Why does it matter if they are collecting any insurance money? If someone broke into your car or home and there was damage, would you not expect the insurance company to reimburse you? Isn't that why you pay your premiums? As far as the chains and locks on the gate, it's their property. PRIVATE property that this heartless person never should have been on. Yes, if the chains and locks weren't there they should have been. Hindsight is 20/20. But it's ther property to do as they see fit.
Posted by dianed43 on September 1, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
these are such beautiful, majestic animals. i can't find it so sad that people can be so cruel. penalties need to be harsh in any act that causes harm or death to an animal. we are seeing far too much of it.
Posted by simon_birch on September 1, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here we go again..going overboard because of one issue. Is it a rampant thing of gates being opened and animals being loosed into the roads? I love horse's and it is a shame that this happened to a beautiful horse. But to create a bill just for the purpose of tending to this one area is just not useing good judgement. We have so many laws on the books now to prevent cruelty to animals and to protect them that we certainly don't need another law to make opening gates such a major offence! 10,000$ fine...I mean that is just way out of line. Don't go off half cocked with emotion, use common horse sence to deal with this using the laws we have already about tresspassing and so on.
Posted by luckylady on September 1, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Flowergril - I believe the reason why Thomas asked about insurance is people have been known to torch property because they need money, etc. I am not saying that is what happened in this case but I am sure things like this happen more than we know. It is tragic for the animals and the owners. Yet if we put another law on the books to hold people accountable are we going to back it up or will they get a slap on the hand. We can pass laws until we are blue in the face but if it isn't enforced the way it was written then what's the purpose.
Posted by moonpie on September 1, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Opening the gate is one thing but lifting it off its hinges? Why would someone do that? Stealing it for scrap?
Either way, that was a beautiful horse. Horse lovers, dog lovers alike think of their animals as part of their families. Sorry for your loss.
Posted by Barbie793 on September 1, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is living animals we are talking about. Family members. People are getting out of control to do the things that harm others to this extent. IF they start with animals, they will progress to humans. They need to be punished now before that happens along with some good psychiatric help.
Posted by Perspective on September 1, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas can be a dillweed sometimes, but maybe he was asking about the money for a valid reason. Perhaps that if the offender is caught then they must make restitution to the insurance company in that amount. It might also have been asked to give him a better idea as to how much of a financial loss they took. If the horses were valued at $120,000 and they get $121,000 from insurance then that is a lot different than only getting say $15,000 for both. I think it was a fair question from Thomas. If you are going to say they took a $120,000 loss, then at least say (but they were insured for $100,000).
If they were not going to get anything then maybe Thomas was going to send them a contribution? :) You never know.
As for the laws on the books. I am with Thomas. I would be surprised if there wasn't a 16 Code or law that covered this. Thomas - Wouldn't Malicious Injury over $1,000 be applicable? The death of the horses was a reasonable outcome of damaging the fence. Even if it were only lifted from the hinges, that could be considered damage since someone has to fix it.
Posted by majorjohnson on September 1, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Creating laws because of single incidents is ridiculous. For one thing there are already multiple laws that cover the removal of the gate, the damage caused to the horses, the damaged caused to the car and the potential harm that could have happened to the passengers in the car. This is flat out bunk and grandstanding. Frankly this seems to be how we make laws as well as how we spend money.
And people who think domesticated or wild animals are the same as humans don't help.
Posted by martin on September 1, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am an animal lover, but this is absurd.
There must be dozens of vandalism and animal cruelty laws that apply in this case. And, the perps need to be prosecuted to the fullest in this case. I'm sure there are fingerprints and DNA all over those gates to help track the sociopaths down.
The mentality of a legislator who thinks that new laws have to be invented for every possible thing that happens is a sure sign he has been there way too long. Come on home, son
Posted by mkris on September 1, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't say he's an idiot! He's the next republican congressman. His sister says so.
Posted by focus on September 1, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why don't they propose a bill that would make it a requirement to secure the fence with a lock. Maybe a ten year old child did it, who knows, a lock requirement is not unreasonable, the same as a swimming pool.
Posted by CaptPete on September 1, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Put a lock on your gate if you are concerned someone will let your horses out. If the horse was let out as a joke this would already be covered under trespass laws.
This bill is a waste of the taxpayers money.
Posted by geekguy2008 on September 1, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There does not need to BE a law for this if people would learn to lock and protect their OWN property.
Posted by Kricket0912 on September 1, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This was an awful thing to hear about. I cared for Zabrina in Aug. of 07' when she was at the barn I worked at. She was really an amazing and beautiful horse. Paige spent so much of her time working with Zabrina. Its a shame to hear things like this happen. I guess people dont understand that for some, Horses are their lives and its very devastating to have all your hard work, time and money taken away because whoever cant find anything else better to do with their own life.
Paige and her husband are great people and I wish them the very best.
Posted by bkeelin on September 1, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I notice we are all upset about a horse and it is a tragic event, but no one blinks an eye at the millions of babies who are murdered with the consent of the mother and a physician who takes an oath to "do no harm". People care more about horses than innocent babies, America needs to get its priorities straight. Perhaps if we put up a few pictures of aborted babies it might get the attention it deserves, but people don't want to see the murder they condone so I doubt that will happen.
Posted by hairy1663 on September 1, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There wouldn't need to be any laws period, if people respected others property!
Theres also a lot of assuming going on here. Maybe the gate was lifted off the hinges because it was locked.
Posted by CMLMADDOG on September 1, 2008 at 6:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At this point in history, euthanizing stupid people should be legal.
Posted by Cowboy on September 1, 2008 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas1776-
For the best part of ALL your postings and thought's, I am a dead ringer with you. Maybe this one is to close to me - As a horse lover and owner of very nice horses. With that in mind - Here I go :
1)Insurance - Do we horse owners carry insurance on our horses- Trail (pleasure riding horse) - No insurance - unless health insurance- As most equine doctors are as or more expensive than for humans.
Equine Insurance- It is simply good business- You grow to love your dog- Why not your horse- Would you not try to save your dog-if it were to become sick ?
Life Insurance- At that kinda price range for SHOW HORSES -I insurance mine- Wouldn't you ?
Locking your gate- Understand your thought- Though short sighted- SOMEONE LIFTED IT OFF THE HINGES ? What should we dod - Weld it together ? Common on ??
Locking your gate- Understand - You lock your gate or insure it is secure when closed.. Oh Thomas1776 - Should we carry the keys on our belt loops as well OR just in the pocket..
If you were not raised in the city- Did you or any other family member or friends (current or former) of yours - Whom lived may be the country setting once - Now havng been built up around lock their gates..
Thomas1776 - YOU MISSED THIS ONE and on this one -
I am offended by your comments ..But again it is only jyo.(Just your opinion)
As for a new law- Think about having to weld your gate to the post - next it might be to have to have steel post..
But when city people ride through a country setting - seeing the long fences - Remember - It is YOU that wants us to have to live behind fortress.
Posted by charlestonroots on September 1, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by bkeelin- I notice we are all upset about a horse and it is a tragic event, but no one blinks an eye at the millions of babies who are murdered.
bkeelin- I beleive this story is about horses not abortion. Therefore you should not be seeing any comments on dead babies.
Posted by focus- Maybe a ten year old child did it, who knows, a lock requirement is not unreasonable, the same as a swimming pool.
Focus- that is not normal behavior for a 10 year old. what kind of adult will they be?
It takes no time to cut a lock off. even a 10 year old could do it.
Posted by PalmettoDP on September 2, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are already laws on the books to deal with this kind of thing, starting with trespassing.
While I feel sorry for the couple that lost their horse, the fact that we have politicians drafting legislation to address this one incident is troubling.