NEWS - SHOW is Suing the USDA

But was there any real doubt?  Seriously?  I mean, this lawsuit has been in the making since the USDA started threatening to input the mandated penalties.  This little gem wasn't just drawn up overnight.

Click here for the pdf of the lawsuit.  It is 57 pages.  I haven't read it yet, but I have friends who have and I'll post what they said below.

Articles about it:

Timesfreepress.com: New rules prompt lawsuit from Tennessee walking horse inspection group

The Scoop Blog from Dallasnews.com: In Fort Worth federal court, Tennessee Walking Horse industry takes on USDA over proposed fines

From my friend...

"The summation of this lawsuit and THE agenda can be found in 116 'Issuance of preliminary injunction will not adversly affect the public interest because THE STATUS QUO IS MAINTAINED by operating under the current regulations.' If you read the entire lawsuit, they point out numerous times why the mandated penalties should be in place. One one hand they talk about the failure of the HIO system and THEY point out the conflicts of interest - yet - at the end, the HIO systems if fine as long as the STATUS QUO IS MAINTAINED."

MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO = KEEP THE VIOLATORS AND THE SORE HORSE IN THE RING.


I seriously want to scream.  I cannot believe these pompous fat cats have the gall to not only abuse the system and the horses BUT BASICALLY COME OUT AND ADMIT IT, only not in so many words.  As Keith Dane said in the above Dallas News article: “SHOW’s decision to file a lawsuit trying to block USDA’s efforts at reform says everything about whether this industry has the will or ability to clean up its act on its own.”

And this lawsuit was drawn up by one of their own who has a violation: Mike McGartland, Raymond, MS, Unilateral Sore 06/16/2008 - 07/15/2008, NHSC.  So good of SHOW to keep the violators in the know!

This lawsuit was filed in Texas because they believe with their particular court system they can win in this state.  What we need now is a federal injunction against the industry.  It's high time this blood sport is ended. May the judge for this case see the ludicrousness of it and dismiss it from the courts.

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I've forgotten to post this before.  The Tennessean has gathered all of their articles and research information on soring at this link: SPECIAL REPORT: TENNESSEE WALKING HORSE INDUSTRY.  Check it out for some great information!