04.15.08
Quincy’s plight
An aging mare in Uxbridge, MA is the center of controvery. The owner is refusing to put a mare down who has been maimed by arthritis and is covered in sores. The barn of fellow horse owners who are buying her meds and caring for her want to see her released from pain. All news reports are showing an emotional charged personal feud taking place between the parties including name calling and public embarassment which is doing nothing for animals or owner rights.
A very dangerous precedent is being set here that could AFFECT ALL OWNERS OF AGING HORSES. Perhaps all the name calling should be put aside and get this out of the courts before a legal precedent is set that will take on a life of its own.To those who voluntarily paid and cared for this mare, as most good horsepeople do when another owner falls down on their responsibilities- Why not sue for reimbursement of the money by taking over the mare. This is a legal option especially if board is due at any facility.
If the mare was in such inhumane condition at the last stable he owed money to the last stable owner should had taken possession and put the mare down.THE DECISION TO PUT A HORSE DOWN IS A PERSONAL ONE - gut wrenching. Let it stay that way. The video showed the legs of a foundered horse with arthritis. It did not show the rest of her. What is her will to live?
If the owner was that abusive why hasn’t the Humane society been contacted before now. I commend those advocating for the mare. I have been there and agree no creature should suffer in unending pain but be careful of how you will affect good owners and possibly yourselves in the future. All of you need to TAKE THE COURTS OUT OF THIS before a legal precedent is set that opens a Pandora’s Box concerning aging horses and their owners where anyone can say an animal is too old and have it disposed of.
I appeal to the owners and Quincy’s advocates to PUT THE BS ASIDE AND GET DOWN TO THE REAL ISSUE — THE WELFARE OF THE HORSE.
Websites with information on Quincy:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/milford/news/x688585191
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/pet/641248962.html
http://www.milforddailynews.com/homepage/x481062593
To her advocates I can only pray that Quincy will be cared for now that the owner has moved her from your protection.
Q L Caballo said,
April 16, 2008 at 11:14 am
Additional Information:
The case is now national the story having been published in TheHorse.com
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=11637. There is also video.
A friend also sent me a link to another forum where according to one poster a key factor of not putting Quincy is a Vegan’s beliefs concerning putting a suffering animal down.
http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?p=3126704
Kristine said,
April 21, 2008 at 11:41 am
What a sad story and all the bickering makes it even more tragic.
Sophiea said,
August 20, 2008 at 11:50 am
Just an update. Quincy has died. She died days befeore the July hearing. I hope she rests in peace.