By Staff
CASSOPOLIS – The Cass County general fund grew by $15,670.15 as a result of the Arabian horse auction conducted by the Cass County Animal Control Department.
In October 2005, Cass County Animal Control was alerted by the property owner at 2774 Redfield St., Niles, that 30 horses had been temporarily placed there by Penny Harlan.
Animal Control authorities were called to the property because of the condition of the horses.
Following an examination of the horses by a veterinarian, Fourth District Court issued a search warrant to seize the horses.
"A decision was made to keep the horses together at the Redfield Road location," Patrick Fetherston, Cass County Animal Control director, said Thursday.
"We thought it would be best to do so and the property owner, Sheri Weidman, agreed to the plan", Fetherston said.
"The community response for the plight of the horses was amazing", said Fetherston. "Several individuals, groups, organizations and businesses donated time, money and supplies to aid in the recovery of the horses," Fetherston added.
Harlan entered a plea to two counts of cruelty to animals in District Court and under a separate civil action involving the forfeiture of the horses, agreed to release the horses to Cass County.
As part of her plea agreement, Harlan was ordered to pay $3,584.71 in restitution.
"Because the horses were Arabian, we were contacted by several Arabian horse owners asking what would happen with the horses," said Robin Rowe, Animal Control officer in charge of the case.
"We developed the idea of an auction knowing we needed to make sure the horses would go to homes that would care for them so they wouldn't get into the same condition", said Rowe.
"It was a process of contacting veterinarians, farriers and other references to see if the individuals wanting to bid met the qualifications we wanted for the horses", said Rowe.
A sealed minimum bid auction was held in the latter part of March.
The horses were listed on the county Web site and individuals were given opportunities to view them on farms they were moved to.
Following the initial sealed minimum bid auction, a second auction was in held in April and all but two of the horses found homes.
Those horses were donated to two (2) 4H groups in the County.
"A special revenue account was set up by the County in order to accommodate the auction", said Fetherston. "With the cooperation of Linda Irwin, County Treasurer and Terry Proctor, County Administrator/Controller, we were able to offer the successful bidders the option of wire transferring funds to a County trust and agency account and then pay expenses out of the same account", said Fetherston.
Proceeds from the auction, boarding fees for horses owned by other individuals, and Court ordered restitution, brought in revenues totaling $33,123.71. After deducting boarding expenses of $9,292.30 to Sheri Weidman, $5,425.89 to two other boarding facilities and veterinary expense reimbursement to the Animal Shelter of $2,634.37, expenses totaled $17,453.56, leaving a balance of revenues over expenditures of $15,670.15.
The case is now concluded and the County transferred the excess funds to the General Fund on September 30, 2006.
When asked how he felt about that, Fetherston said, "I understand the reasoning behind the transfer of funds. It's no different than a Sheriff's Auction (excluding drug forfeiture property) when the proceeds of the auction gets put in the General Fund."
"We asked if we could use a portion of those funds to purchase a stock trailer for the Department", Fetherston added. "But we were told there wasn't any support to bring that issue in front of the County Board", Fetherston said.
"It's understandable", Fetherston said, "but we really could use a stock trailer. This isn't the first livestock cruelty case we've been involved with," Fetherston added. "But maybe there is another way to get this accomplished", Fetherston said.
The Animal Control Department would like to purchase a stock trailer and are asking individuals interested in helping with that purchase to designate their donation as "stock trailer" and send it to PO Box 132, Cassopolis, MI 49031. Those designated donations will be put in the Animal Shelter Donation Fund earmarked for that purpose.
"We are hoping to raise $4,500.00 for the purchase, Fetherston concluded.