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Stallings Hearing
Many of the Indiana Horse Rescue supporters have followed the story of the Gibson County Horses. Thursday, January 24, 2008 Richard Stallings appeared in court at the Gibson County Court House at 1:00PM to plea guilty to the charges against him for the torture and neglect of horses he once kept on a property in Owensville, Indiana.

Here is the official statement that was made by our President, Anthony Caldwell, during that court hearing:

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My name is Anthony Caldwell, I am the President of Indiana Horse Rescue and I would first like to thank the court for taking the time to listen to what I have to say.

Emotions are a very important part of what we do. Everyone involved in this case relied on their dedication to the immorality of animal abuse to carry them through this ordeal. Most people do not realize the impact that animal abuse has on our society as a whole. On a day to day basis, society attempts to repress our emotions unless there is a dollar to be made. Like most of the people involved in this case, everyone’s first emotional response was that Mr. Stallings should be in prison for a very long time, however, if we take an opportunity to reflect on the entire case, we can examine the larger problem at hand. This case drew public awareness to a hideous situation. Like a wildfire it has sparked a new awareness in the State of Indiana and is reaching across the country. Owners and operators of facilities that do not care properly for their horses, create a very problematic set of circumstances that inhibit action. The sheer numbers along with financial and political ramifications keep these operators in the shadows, except for the people that see these horrid conditions when they are exposed through the normal course of business. The desensitizing effect it has on our society is our greatest enemy. It is not okay to beat, abuse or neglect your wife or husband. It is not okay to beat, abuse or neglect your children. It is not okay to beat, abuse or neglect your animals. This community has personalized that statement with the far reaching support that has been provided during this difficult time.

The links between the decay in our society and animal abuse and neglect are deeply rooted. Our organization has focused on one small part of this problem which requires emotional involvement. It is very hard to back away from our emotional response that Mr. Stallings should be in prison for a very long time, and examine the realities of what has occurred in this action. The chances that Mr. Stallings is going to be rehabilitated, are in my mind, very slim. Mr. Stallings cost this county a substantial amount of money, if we were to lock Mr. Stallings up, our human nature would require us to feed, clothe and provide him shelter from the elements. We know Mr. Stallings does not share that sentiment, we would nevertheless be required to do so. That seems fundamentally wrong.

Mr. Stallings is publicly admitting that he has tortured, abused and neglected horses for several years. Others involved in this type of activity are now greatly aware of what could happen to them. Prosecutors throughout the state now see what can be done; the public sees what can be done. The public has been enabled, and is now aware that they should hold their public officials to a higher degree of responsibility to act in these matters.

Indiana Horse Rescue was one part of a team that includes Gibson County Animal Services, the Gibson County Sheriff Dept, the Gibson County Prosecutors Office and all of the volunteers involved. This team came together to stop this terrible situation. I can not put into words the gratitude and respect I have for all of the people involved.

A substantial amount of people have verbalized disappointment with Mr. Stallings plea agreement; I fear that our achievements in this case have been greatly over shadowed by this frustration. The Prosecutors office is receiving the brunt of everyone’s frustrations, when in fact the Prosecutor’s office has put many hours of effort into today’s events. I submit that this Prosecutor realizes that this is not a victimless crime. The victims start with the horses, spread to the children and adults who have seen the horses, and the far reaching implications of not taking action when crimes against the people and the state are committed. The frustration over the plea agreement Mr. Stallings received should be directed at the state statutes that govern animal welfare and county prosecutors. When the Prosecutor signed on for this huge undertaking, he set certain goals to achieve, and we achieved every goal. Mr. Stallings is one man, he did some terrible things, and my emotions tell me he should pay; but whether Mr. Stallings goes to prison or not, does not change the impact of what has been achieved in this case. Outrage and political pressure belongs on our legislature to make the penalties for these heinous crimes appropriate. We need to support and appreciate the job that our county Prosecutor has done, along with everyone involved in this case.

The horse’s welfare has been the primary concern in this case from the beginning. All the horses are receiving the best of care, and those horses that did not survive have received care, compassion and respect. Nothing that is done to Mr. Stallings will ever make up for the torture and abuse that the horses experienced.
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The statement made to the court from Brenda Foley, Executive Director of Gibson County Animal Services can be found by following this link: http://www.indianahorserescue.com/Court%20hearing/Brenda%20Statement.pdf

Click the following links for more information about the hearing and Stallings' sentencing:

>>Indiana Horse Rescue Gibson County Horse Neglect Case - http://www.indianahorserescue.com/Court%20hearing/CourtHearing.htm

>>14 WFIE Horse Neglect: Stallings pleads guilty - http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=7770982&nav=3w6o

>>Evansville Courier & Press Judge accepts plea deal in horse neglect case - http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/jan/24/sentence-will-punctuate-horse-neglect-saga-today/

>>Princeton Daily Clarion Stallings reined with a year probation - http://www.tristate-media.com/articles/2008/01/24/pdclarion/news/news1.txt

Membership

We know many of you work and don't have the time to volunteer, but just $25.00 for a membership helps support rescued animals.  That is less than a family dinner out!!  Your membership helps us grow stronger and gives the animals a VOICE to be heard to continue helping them.  With your membership you will now receive a dog tag from IHR

We are looking for designs for our Animal Protection Coalition dog tags - do you have an idea?
Dog Tags and Hair wraps are also being sold as fundraisers for IHR & APC

Club H.O.P.E  (Horses Of Poor Environment)

America's Giving Challenge

Parade Magazine is presenting America's Giving Challenge and awarding $500,000 to charities whose supporters have attracted the most unique donors to their cause using new and innovative online tools.

>> The eight individuals whose charity badges attract the most unique donors through the America's Giving Challenge will get $50,000 for their cause. Animal Protection Coalition dba Indiana Horse Rescue has
already had a badge made! You can find them on the http://www.indianahorserescue.com website and on the http://www.animalprotectioncoalition.org website, both are on the left hand side of the first page!

>>Donate by clicking on the Donate Button and help the APC/IHR get $1,000. The 100 nonprofits with the greatest number of total donations made to them through America's Giving Challenge will each get $1,000.

The Challenge begins December 13 at 3pm EST and will close January 31 at 3pm EST. Sorry this is so late, we just found out about the contest! Hurry up and support APC/IHR!

You can find our badge at this link:
>>Badge with a horse (Daisy, a neglected mare, now 100% recovered!):
http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?BadgeId=110337

>>Badge with a dog (Obie, adopted to a loving home)
http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?BadgeId=110339

To add the badge to your website, please email Kelsey to get the code: kelsey@indianahorserescue.com

Please pass this on to everyone you can think of! APC/IHR only has to be in the top 100 to be awarded $1000, in addition to whatever is donated! With over 200 horses to feed this winter and the high hay
prices, $1,000.00 will be a big help! You don't have to make a large donation, the minimum to help us with the contest is only $10.00!!!

Thank you for your support!

The Boys And Girls From New York ^TM

<sup>Hello,

Let me introduce myself:

My name is Irish Temper, and I myself was rescued from a kill pen in New York, so I know what it's like to be at the end of my tether for sure. And it is because I am so grateful, that by the grace of God, I survived this life altering experience, that I want to help my brothers and sisters who are not so fortunate. In fact, not only me, but all of my brothers and sisters, who you may know as, The Boys And Girls From New York, have made it our mission, in our second chance at life, to help horses who are in need. We do several things to earn money, things like helping our "Popsie Lopsie" round the place, and one time I babysat for my brother Castle, which made enough money to buy a few sacks of feed, or maybe something else that was needed. Since there are many worthy causes, we found that we would have to focus our energies in one direction, in order to do the most good. We, like you, I'm sure, wish that we could save/help all of the horses, but that just isn't possible. We got to know our "Uncle Bob" and "Aunt Becky" at IHR-South because of the Stallings seizure, which you will remember was the episode that left one hundred and fifty two horses total, either dead, or starving. These poor horses were in need of food, and a lot of tender loving care, plus immedate medical attention, which they got, and some are still getting. A seizure that is as big as this one causes enormous strain on a rescue, both in terms of manpower, and also by stretching the resources of the rescue to the limit and beyond.

About the paintings:

I wasn't too sure about the painting thing when I started, but not very far into it, I found that is was really, really fun!! I have to tell you, too, that I didn't mind all of the apple/oat cakes that I got to eat during the sessions either!! My painting has the honour of being the very first one done of all of The Boys And Girls From New York. When my "Aunt Sheena" saw my painting she said that she could "see birds" in it, and she told my "Mums" that she wanted to donate $100.00 to IHR-South so that she could be the proud owner of my painting!! And that's how it all got started. Helping horses is always all right with us, and of course, I was thrilled that "Aunt Sheena" wanted my painting. When Limone heard about the "birds," he wryly said, "maybe you are going to be the next Audubon." Well, I don't know about this Audubon fellow, but I bet that I can paint the best birds ever!! And my "Mums" said, "Irish, you're too modest!!" I think "Mums" was kidding or something, but she did like my painting, and she said that she could see the birds, too!!

How to go about getting one of our paintings:

If you are interested in donating to IHR-South for a particular painting, please send my "Aunt Becky" an e-mail to inquire as to its availability.

All of the paintings are originals, painted by one of The Boys And Girls From New York.

The paintings come attractively double matted and framed, with a lock of the artist's mane/tail attached to the canvas itself. In addition, the painting carries a brass name plate with the artists name engraved on it, and the date that the the picture was painted. You can also expect a snapshot of the artist that did your painting to accompany the artwork. At this time, shipping will be included. Payment can be made directly, by personal check, money order, or through paypal to the following e-mail address: ihrsouth@msn.com

Well, it's about time for me to get back to work on my next masterpiece!! There is that "modest" thing again!! Even if you aren't interested in our artwork, please don't forget to help a horse...the need is great. And I still send Big Smoochies straight from me to you.

Signed: Me, Irish Temper</sup>

^{For more information and pictures of theses beautiful horses and their paintings, please visit IHR South's Forum - http://forums.delphiforums.com/ihrsouth/messages/?msg=14.1}

Shop Till You Drop

The Indiana Horse Rescue Online Gift Shop is now up and running! Please check out all the cool products we have for sale! Please help spread the word and support Indiana Horse Rescue by making a purchase.

Go to: http://www.cafepress.com/inhorserescue to see a full list of products! More items will be coming soon! You can also go to http://www.indianahorserescue.com and click on the gift shop link under the IHR image.

Yahoo! Group

Animal Protection Coalition, Inc. and Indiana Horse Rescue now have groups on Yahoo! This group is for all supporters, adopters, volunteers, and anyone interested in animal welfare in Indiana! Please join us and share your stories, problems, solutions, and events by signing up for the Animal Protection Coalition, Inc. and Indiana Horse Rescue Yahoo! Groups!

Join the Animal Protection Coalition, Inc. Yahoo! Group by going to http://www.animalprotectioncoalition.org and clicking on the Yahoo! Group button in the center of the page or click on the link below or paste it into your web browser address bar:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/animalprotectioncoalition/join

You can join the Indiana Horse Rescue Yahoo! Group by going to http://www.indianahorserescue.com and clicking on the Yahoo! Group button on the left side of the page or click on the link below or paste it into your web browser address bar:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/indianahorserescue/join

Thank You!

Thank you everyone who supports our organization!  We could not do everything we do without you!  You are the ones that keep this organization running and you are the ones saving the lives of innocent animals!  Please continue to support Animal Protection Coalition, Inc. and all of our Animal Welfare Divisions!

APC/ IHR Corporate Offices
10474 West 800 South
Owensville, IN 47665
E-mail  kathryn@animalprotectioncoalition.org
Fax      (206) 338-5604
Phone (812) PAWS111
              (812) 729-7111
or        (812) 729-7697

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