Am cross posting this because it is unbelieveable and they would like to get the word out to as many people as they can, because for 2 weeks no one in official status wants to get involved. The group Chances Miniature Horse Rescue and others have been trying for the last 2+weeks to help these miniature horses. It seems the Sheriff either doesn't want to get involved or is friends with the owner of the minis. It also seems if you keep reading towards where the thread is more current, have posted a second link to help jump to that part, that the owner of the minis has received government money for having them. Apparently you can get farm money for farming, but don't actually have to farm, in this case feed the animals? http://www.miniaturehorsetalk.com/index.php?showtopic=83038&st=... Wonder what disaster he's going to claim killed these minis. Doubt he'll admit he is the disaster.

The only mistake the rescue made was they provided water and then took pictures. The owner may claim that he gave the horses water. Kind of a he said, she said kinda thing.

Anyway, here are the links, perhaps there is someone in Kansas or the media that can help the legal route along? Seems up to this point the media has been apathetic about these little horses plight. Or they've talked to the sheriff who likely informed them that there was no problem? http://www.miniaturehorsetalk.com/index.php?s=2a0d77f7b4a5500139e1d607b74cac77&showtopic=83038&st=0

http://www.miniaturehorsetalk.com/index.php?showtopic=83038&st=550&#entry893776

Links to some of the graphic pics of the minis:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/blueridgeminis/KSMinis15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/blueridgeminis/KSMinis11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/blueridgeminis/KSMinis7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/blueridgeminis/KSMinis5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/blueridgeminis/KSMinis0.jpg

Chances Miniature Horse Rescue from reading the thread is involved in this, but apparently the Sheriff for that location is unwilling to help for whatever reason. I did send them HARPS and HAHS info as a can't hurt might help.

Until someone convinces the Sheriff to do what needs to be done to help these minis, there is only so much any of the organizations can do. Without him they can't remove the minis without being charged with theft no matter how horrible their situation. So whether the Sheriff is friends with this particular hoarder? or perhaps his family is? or if the Sheriff involved just doesn't want to do the work involved in helping these horses I do not know? For whatever reason the media has yet to take an interest, which if they would, could light a fire under that Sheriff's butt.

All the info is on the first page of the thread. http://www.miniaturehorsetalk.com/index.php?s=2a0d77f7b4a5500139e1d607b74cac77&showtopic=83038&st=0

I would think that the county judge should be contacted.Also,in our county,there is a quorum court with members from each district,not sure about here tho.

I would contact each local TV station and post the pictures of the minis in as many local newspapers in that area as I could.

Perhaps the power of youtube?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofbRCVwXcaI

If it is,I know how that "good ole boy" system works.It's alive and well around here,and in Missouri,too.

I emailed/called the sherriff of a county in Missouri where we've ridden for years in an area that is partly managed by a timber company,partly by Missouri Dept.of Waterways,and part by private individuals that own some of it.I was trying to find out the owner of the property where we enter the land at,because we've been told that they have it posted,and ect ect not allowing anybody on it,ect.Others in the vicinity have told us that the individual does NOT own the entire road where we ride in,and it is shared,this was once an old train tram,and local laws apply that say a road is not owned entirely by any individual,ect.A woman that lives in the little commuinity told us the road is half hers,and we are welcome to ride anytime.

I say all this to tell you that: I tried and tried to find out information from the county assessor,as the sherriff's office suggested,I called twice,emailed 3 times,finally exasperated told them forget it,I'd ride there anyway,and I sent a copy to the sherriff's office.Nairy a word ever replied,no call,email,nothing,notta,just could imagine them laughing,saying,"That old gal from Arkansas sure is a pest,ect."

This sherriff,if this is the truth,and those pictures of those minis had to come from someplace,sounds about like these "good ole boys" in Missouri and elsewhere.You can just hear them,'Ole --- Trembly out there,sure has got these women stirred up over those little ponies,don't he?? Ha ha."

Apathy,more stuff to worry about than somebody trying to abide by the law,you know?

PS didn't mean to hijack the thread,I am willing to do whatever everyone else can do to help in this situation.

Yvette

If the folks in Kansas cannot get the local sheriff to act, then they need to go to the District Attorney (or State's Attorney) for the county where the animals are located;  animal neglect/cruelty is a crime. 

Here's some links to news clips about the ponies. They are heading in the right direction, but wonder if we won't be seeing him in the news again in the future. OK, so perhaps it's because people aren't sending me money to feed and care for my horses, but what is he going to do when the charity wanes. No one is going to want to support his business forever. Anyway, hope they can convince him to get the herd down to a size he can afford and care for. It strikes me he's more upset that he isn't getting any money for the wormy, starved, injured ponies that CMHR got permission to remove than the actual welfare of the ponies in his care.

http://www.myfoxkc.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=4580578&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1

http://www.myfoxkc.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=4624499&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1

fixed the link