March 18, 2011 4:53 PM
A federal grand jury in
According to the indictment, Davis, Altman and Bradford conspired to violate the federal Horse Protection Act by “soring” horses and falsifying entry forms and other related paperwork.
“Soring” is a unlawful practice where items like bolts are driven into horse’s hoofs (usually Walking Horses). In some cases foreign objects are attached to the legs of the animals, or chemicals are used to produce pain and sensitivity to alter the gait of a horse. The altered gait is valued at horse competitions.
Additional allegations are outlined in THIS INDICTMENT.
United States Attorney Bill Killian said, “the alleged violations in this indictment undermine the equine industry and give unfair advantage to some over others, in addition to causing cruelty to the animals. We will always pursue cases involving the falsification of federal records.”
The investigation leading to this indictment was conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG). The USDA-OIG has the authority to investigate criminal violations of the Horse Protection Act including allegations related to soring and false entries or statements. The OIG investigation of this case was initiated in August 2010. Special Agent-in-Charge, Karen Citizen-Wilcox, Southeast Region, stated, " The USDA- OIG will continue to aggressively pursue violations of the Horse Protection Act in order to protect horses and competitors from illegal and unfair acts and practices."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Neff will prosecute the case on behalf of the
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Be sure to read the indictment--it's great what the OIG uncovered! There are four counts that have tons of information on what these people did. I included a short version of what was uncovered below. They not only sored horses, but they falsified papers as to who was actually training the horses. The used bolts inserted into the horses' feet and taped blocks the horses' feet to induce soring.
Here's the kicker: Davis received a LIFETIME BAN from SHOW and was STILL SHOWING! So really, not only is Davis guilty, but the SSHBEA is as well for allowing him to show!
Send your letters to the USDA and OIG for indicting these people. Also, send letters to the SSHBEA telling them to better monitor those who have violated the HPA at their shows.
It is wonderful to see this kind of action against these abusers. Thank you, Ms. Citizen-Wilcox, and the entire USDA for your hard work!
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The Short List of Indictments against Barney Davis, Christen Altman, and Jeffery Bradford
Overt Acts - all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371
1. Beginning in 2002 and continuing through 2010, Davis instructed individuals to sore horses in his care, including but not limited to inserting bolts into and taping blocks to the horses' feet.
2. Davis instructed others to remove or mask the external soring devices prior to inspections at shows.
3. Davis gave horses shots to keep them from reacting negatively during inspection.
4. Davis and Altman arranged for workers at Davis' barn to obtain trainer's licenses so as to be listed as trainers on the horses' show paperwork.
5. In or about May 2010, Altman paid for Bradford's trainer's license.
6. On or about July 30, 2010, Davis placed and caused to be placed a bolt in the foot of the horse Jose is My Daddy prior to a horse show in Manchester, TN.
7. On or about July 30, 2010, Altman falsely listed Bradford as the trainer of Jose is My Daddy on the entry paperwork for the Manchester, TN show.
8. On or about July 30, 2010, Altman forged Bradford's signature on the entry paperwork for Jose is My Daddy at the Manchester, TN show.
9. In or about Sept 2010, Davis advised potential witnesses not to cooperate with an investigation by authorities into his soring practices.
10. On or about Oct 10, 2010, after receiving a lifetime ban from showing, Davis entered horses he was paid to train into the SSHBEA Fall Show in Shelbyville, TN.
11. On or about Oct 13, 2010, Altman falsely claimed that Bradford was scheduled to participate and act at trainer at the SSHBEA Fall Show on behalf of Davis.
12. On or about Oct 13, 2010, Bradford falsely claimed that he was scheduled to participate and act as trainer at the SSHBEA Fall Show on behalf of Davis.
Count Two - In violation of Title 15, United States Code, Section 1824(1) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2
On July 30, 2010, Davis knowingly shipped, transported, moved and delivered Jose is My Daddy, which was sore, with reason to believe that such horse, while it was sore, would be shown and exhibited in a horse show.
Count Three - In violation of Title 15, United States Code, Section 1824(2)(B) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2
On July 30, 2010, Davis knowingly entered Jose is My Daddy, which was sore, for the purpose of showing and exhibiting such horse in a horse show.
Count Four - In violation of Title 15, United States Code, Section 1824(a)(2)(B) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2
On or about July 30, 2010, Davis, Altman and Bedford did knowingly make and cause to be made false entries and statements in a report, account, record, and memorandum under Title 15, United States Code, Section 1823 as to the name and signature of the trainer.
1 comment:
makes me just sick to my stomache
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