The New York State Humane Association is honoring numerous Essex County staff, the Board of Supervisors, veterinarians, and horse rescue agencies and volunteers who assisted in the removal, subsequent care, and adoption of 41 emaciated horses that were removed from an Essex farm in the fall of 2013.
Awards and certificates of appreciation will be presented to county staff at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday, November 3, while the veterinarians, the horse rescue agencies, and horse care volunteers will be honored at an appreciation gathering on Sunday, November 2.
In the spring of 2013, NYSHA had conducted an animal cruelty investigation workshop at the Sheriff’s training facility at which the plight of the horses was discussed. Subsequently, the Sheriff’s Department put a plan into place to address the situation.
Two NYSHA Board Members were part of the support team that assisted the Sheriff’s Department on the day the rescue began. On that day, they were impressed with the teamwork exhibited by all parties involved. And subsequent to that day, NYSHA was kept informed of the continuing team work among all the agencies: the county staff that had arranged the fairgrounds to house the animals and worked on a security bond to try to obtain money from the defendant to cover costs; the Board of Supervisors that approved all arrangements; the veterinarians who examined and treated the animals, the volunteers who provided daily care for the animals, Crane Mountain Valley Horse Rescue which arranged proper adoptions as the animals’ health improved, and the DA’s Office that gathered facts for the court case. This was a monumental undertaking and a model of team work at its best. We wanted to recognize it as such.
The New York State Humane Association has conducted animal cruelty investigation workshops for police and humane investigators across the state for fifteen years, partnering with Sheriffs’ offices, the State Police Academy, and city police departments. For the past several years, NYSHA has partnered with NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services.