http://www.texarkanagazette.com/articles/2006/07/28/local_news/news/news15.txt

Blowout leads to abuse claims on horses headed for slaughter
Friday, July 28, 2006 9:40 AM CDT

By LORI DUNN
Texarkana Gazette

Texarkana, Ark., police spent much of Thursday morning investigating a
possible case of animal abuse, but no charges were filed.

Police received a call about 9 a.m. Thursday regarding a trailer full of
possibly abused horses. The trailer had a blowout and was being repaired
at a local business.

Employees at the business called police when they suspected abuse, said
Officer Chris Rankin, spokesman for the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department.

Police went to the 6000 block of North State Line Thursday and found a
quarter horse standing near the trailer’s rear gate. The horse had
sustained numerous injuries to the head and was bleeding.

Several other horses on the trailer had various injuries as well.

Officers were told the horses were being taken to a Fort Worth, Texas,
processing facility to be slaughtered. At this point animal control
officers were notified.

After an extensive investigation into the legalities involved with the
transport of animals for processing, it became apparent no federal laws
had been violated pertaining to the transport of the animals.

Rankin said officers initially wrote citations for animal abuse but
changed their minds when the United States Department of Agriculture
representative said it was possible the horses could have sustained the
injuries as a result of the blowout or from fighting among themselves.

“Basically, they said it looked bad but these injuries happen to horses
all of the time,” Rankin said.

Other than outward injuries, the horses were otherwise deemed to be
physically fit, Rankin said.

Other than outward injuries, the horses were otherwise deemed to be
physically fit, Rankin said.

The animals were released to be transported after being inspected by the
USDA representative and a veterinarian.