if only mr. ed really talked new
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“If Only Mr. Ed Really Talked”
Equine Investigations Texas Federation of Humane Societies
Lone Star Conference
April 19-21 2009 Sandy Grambort
Tammy Roberts
Humane Investigations
The Humane Society of North Texas
Fort Worth, TX
817-332-4768 EXT 113
And God Took a Handful of Southerly Wind,
Blew His Breath Over it, and Created a Horse…
Bedouin Legend
Roughage: Hay and/or access to grazing
Supplemental feed: Grains
Water: Constant supply fresh and clean
Shelter: What Texas law says, what common sense says
Veterinary care: EIA, vaccines, parasites
Identifying a Neglected HorseIdentifying a Neglected Horse
• Basic Necessities?*i.e.; food, water
• Body Condition?
• Hair/Hoof Condition?
• Sick or Injured?
• Environment?
…what to look for
2-15-08
Sick? Injured?
Equine should be active, ambulatory, bright and alert
Injuries should be noted: Old vs. new, scars vs. fresh wounds, evidence of veterinary care
Vet records: should show history of care
Common equine diseases
Injury/Trauma
Starvation
BODY CONDITON SCORING
(BCS)
1-5 or 1-9~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHOOSE!!!
Body Condition Score 1
Body Condition Score 3
Body Condition Score 5
Body Condition Score 7
Body Condition Score 9
“9” Is Not Always Healthy
HEALTH HEALTH and and DISEASE CONCERNSDISEASE CONCERNS
HealthCondition of hooves: Equine feet need trimming every 6-8 weeks, normallyRespiratory system: Nose, lungsEyes: Clear with no dischargeWeight: Appropriate for size/breed/ageSkin/hair coat: Skin free of fungal infections, hair shiny, soft to the touch
Diseases/Illness
Strangles* Encephalitis: Eastern, Western, Venezuelan* Equine Protozoal Myleoencephalitis (EPM) Fungal infections: hooves/hair Colic Tetanus/Rabies* West Nile Virus* Potomac Horse Fever* Equine Influenza* Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease : COPD or “Heaves” * Vaccines available
Equine Infectious Anemia
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), or Swamp Fever, is a viral disease which occurs worldwide. Signs include a high fever, labored breathing, a pounding heartbeat, and exhaustion. As the disease progresses, signs of anemia develop. Horses that recover usually remain carriers of the disease. Most infected horses die within 30 days of getting the disease.
The disease is usually spread by horse flies biting an infected horse, then biting a healthy horse. The disease can also be transmitted by the use of non-sterile needles and blood contaminated surgical instruments.
There is no cure for EIA so prevention is the key to controlling the disease. The Coggins Test is a simple blood test that is widely accepted as a way of determining carriers of the disease. A Coggins Test is often required to transport, show, sell, or board a horse. Coggins Tests should be updated yearly. Owners of positive horses have to make the choice to put the horse down (euthanized), or have the animal permanently quarantined.
StranglesStrangles
Fungal Infections
“Rain Rot”
Ring Worm
NUTRITIONAL ISSUES
Problems Relative to Poor Nutrition
Skin and Hair Coat
Hooves
Growth
Parasites
“HOOF ISSUES”
Founder
“GROWTH CONCERNS”
““Twister” and “Sandman”…Twister” and “Sandman”…only 6 mos. apart in ageonly 6 mos. apart in age
PARASITES
Equine de-wormers…
Ivermectin products
Fenbendazole products
Praziquantel (Tapeworms)
Pyrantel pamoate products
Diatomaceous Earth, pros and cons
*Note: Age of an equine is not a defense in a court of law for maintaining a horse in an emaciated condition. It is far kinder to euthanize an animal than to allow starvation and neglect until death.
Meet Farris…
Environment
How much space? Pasture vs. stallFooting: Wet vs. DryFeed containersVentilation, shelters, and the lawQuality of feed/pasture/roughageQuantity: How much?
RESOURCES DEFINED!RESOURCES DEFINED!
Veterinarian(s) experienced in equine medicine
Handlers/Wranglers/Horse haulers (beware of the “expert”)
Livestock equipment and supplies
Law enforcement agencies (find an “expert”)
Tools “not just a hammer anymore!”
Camera Vehicles/Trailers Panels Lariats/Halters/Lead
Ropes First Aide Kit
“the right tools make any job easy”
~Holding Facilities and/or Foster ~Holding Facilities and/or Foster Homes~Homes~
Quarantine Area?
Safe From Injury?
Safe From Theft/Vandals?
Size of Holding Area?
-12x12 Stall or covered shelter
- Paddocks/exercise pens
*12-14 ft wide
*50-100 ft long
per horse
- Pasture
• ‘Outside’ transport assistance
• Foster homes or holding facilities
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
• Waivers for volunteers and equipment usage
• Liability insurance
DocumentationAN OVERVIEW
Evidence Collection
Photos & ID
Veterinarian Evaluation/Statement
The Animals ARE Evidence
ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION
Time Dated Photos and/or Video
Necropsy reports on deceased animals or photos of deceased animals in environment
Witness Statements or admissable affidavits
Court MaterialsCourt Materials
Chronological order Table of contents and tabbed dividers Copies of all reports, statements, and written
documents which pertain to the case Color photos, with identification and time/date Expense summary All information should be provided to law enforcement
agency and court BEFORE court appearance
NOTNOT everything you need to know about warrants
Types of warrantsWording of warrantOfficer’s returnSearchSeizureCivil vs. Criminal seizure
WarrantsWhat are They and How do They Work?
Civil vs Criminal
*See Handouts
Pages 6-11 Application for Warrant
Pages 12-13 Seizure Warrant Sample
Cont.
Page 14 Officer’s Return
Page 15 Agency Veterinary Check
Page 16 Veterinary Statement
“Just the Facts, Ma’am”
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Collecting Evidence During a Search Warrant
Never Expect Things to Go Exactly as Planned!
Remember Me?
I am 27 years young!
Thank you…