Horse Owners
Beware!

Horse owners beware!!!
Because of hoof and mouth disease and the increased demand for horsemeat in Europe, a sneaky breed of con artist has again crawled out from under the manure pile. These people can make big bucks right now by selling horses for slaughter, and they want to get yours! Here is how some of them might operate:

They offer to provide good homes for unwanted horses.

If you're a woman, they might pose as hard-working family men; if you're a guy, they might say they are business owners or retired executives. Just like legitimate salespeople,
they try to make you feel comfortable.

They say your horse will go to a therapeutic riding program; a camp; that someone wants your old, blind, crippled horse for a pet, or that it will become a babysitter for
another horse. (They also come up with other stories, but these are the most common.

They use cell phones (unlisted number; blocked ID)

They are usually friendly, smooth, and fast-talking; and they have a perfect sales pitch. They quickly narrow in on what is important to you as far as your horse goes, and they tell you what you want to hear.

In an effort to throw your suspicions away from themselves, some might warn you about the killers out there who want to get their hands on your unwanted horse, and it would be best for you to give up your horse NOW rather than send it to auction, where the killers await.

If you do give up your horse, you will be asked to sign a release form AFTER the horse is on the trailer. The form most likely will give the conmen the right to do anything they
want with your horse—but if you change your mind then, it will be too late. You will NOT be able to get your horse off the trailer!!!

References given to you will either be old or nonexistent; a few of the conmen's buddies, or the number of someone who gave them a horse. But what kind of reference could this be? This person wouldn't know where his or her horse ended up either!

No matter what the conmen tell you, you will NOT be able to find out what happened to your horse once you give it to them. They will say, for instance, that the "new owners" get too upset when the previous owners come to visit the horse.

These con artists prey upon honest, trusting people who are trying to do the right thing for their horse. DO NOT GIVE YOUR HORSE TO A STRANGER, NO MATTER HOW FRIENDLY HE OR SHE IS! People are NOT standing in line waiting to adopt sick, elderly, blind, or lame horses. If you no longer want a horse like this, for whatever reason, what makes you think someone else does? Also, legitimate horse rescues do not have to advertise that they NEED or want horses. (Have you ever seen an animal shelter say, We NEED more dogs and cats!?) Therapeutic riding programs and the like either already have waiting lists of horses or they have established contacts that provide them with the types of horses they require. Choosing to send your horse to slaughter is one thing, but being told your slaughter-bound horse is going to a good home is FRAUD. File a complaint with your state's attorney general's office if you think you've been swindled by a con artist like this.
Ads like this "needing" or "wanting" horses have been running all across one eastern state and parts of surrounding states for more than a year. This individual's latest story (in the past few months) is that he "personally handpicks only a dozen horses a year" for his "rescue program." He changes his "sales pitch" as quickly and as often as he changes his unlisted cell phone numbers.

John
Pittsburg, PA

Company: Horse Owners
Country: USA
State: Nationwide

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