After a trip to the Twin Peaks Herd Management Area and experiencing the thrill of seeing horses in the wild, we realized there may be others who wish to observe unbound Mustangs. So armed with our cameras, binoculars, maps and 4WD we will venture into these wild and rugged places. Within these electronic pages we will share what is out there… Where The Wild Horses Are… living life naturally. Exploring also some of the places they come to be when removed from these management areas.

The posts contain many photos, click on them to enlarge for more clarity, but please do not copy or reproduce without permission. email us. Thank you for visiting and we hope you enjoy the trip!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Why Do We Have Laws?

If they are not enforced.

Press Release from Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition.


June 30, 2011 – The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition (MHWC) wishes to express extreme disappointment with the decision by the Allegan County Prosecutor’s office today not to pursue any animal cruelty charges in the case of 25 wild Mustangs owned by Wendy Bierling in Allegan. The prosecuting attorney’s decision comes despite investigating officer Sgt. Kuhn’s recommendation of 16 counts of animal cruelty.

During a May 22nd visit to Bierling’s farm, MHWC representatives witnessed what they felt to be a clear-cut case of animal neglect under the definition of Michigan ’s anti-cruelty statute, and contacted Allegan County law enforcement to express their concern for the horses’ welfare. MCL 750.50 requires that animals receive adequate care, defined as “sufficient food, water, shelter, sanitary conditions, exercise and veterinary medical attention in order to maintain an animal in a state good health.” The statute further defines “neglect” as failure to “sufficiently and properly care for an animal to the extent that the animal’s health is jeopardized.”

The visit from MHWC representatives was a standard site inspection upon receiving Bierling’s application for assistance through the coalition’s Hay Bank. The request was for hay to feed 25 of the original 29 wild Mustangs shipped to Bierling in February of 2011 from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which had rounded up the horses in California the previous August. All of the Mustangs shipped to Bierling were over the age of eleven.

After assisting with the removal of a horse that was later assessed a body condition score of one – the lowest score a horse can have and still be alive -- the MHWC confirmed with Bierling’s own veterinarian that Bierling had never requested his own assessment or treatment of that horse.

The MHWC provide investigators with an abundance of evidence showing what they felt to be neglect, including photos, veterinarian reports, and multiple eyewitness reports – all showing that Bierling was allegedly not feeding the horses or providing veterinary care.

“Whether the horses came off the truck sick or not, that was over four months ago. The bottom line is, these horses weren’t getting enough to eat. Any horse will starve if they do not have food, and sick horses will continue to decline without veterinary care. That’s why these provisions are mandated by law. But what good are laws if they’re not enforced?” says Jodi Louth, MHWC Hay Bank Coordinator.

“By failing to address what appears to be a clear case of animal neglect, Allegan County is essentially condoning such neglect and even encouraging it to continue. There is absolutely nothing to prevent Wendi Bierling from receiving another shipment of 29 mustangs, and we just hope that Allegan County officials are prepared to deal with it when that happens,” continues Louth.

Jill Fritz, MHWC secretary, adds: “The neglect of any animal, including horses, is explicitly prohibited under Michigan 's animal cruelty statute. Financial hardship or lack of knowledge about proper horse care is not an excuse to ignore the law.” She continued, “Michiganders care about animals and want those who neglect or abuse them to be held accountable. The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition hopes that the Allegan County will join other county prosecuting attorneys who are aggressively pursuing charges against those who harm animals in our state.”

The MHWC and its Hay Bank were founded in January 2010 and has since helped to feed over 101 horses throughout Michigan .

photo by Jodi Louth

For more information, please visit Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition.

This is obviously an outrage! This is small town midwest politics. If we all just look away it will blow over and the horses will all just disappear, the voiceless and innocent who always suffer, then it will be business as usual for Wendi Bierling to continue her domestic "Mustang breeding program".

Please call the Prosecutor in this case and express your outrage.
269/673-0280  Prosecuting Attorney Fred Anderson


Also visit Humane Observer blog for more information and ways to become involved.


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Tortue Is Not A Crime?

Allegan mustang owner will not face criminal charges, but county will continue to monitor the horses


Someone please tell this mother starvation is not a crime...


Her foal died three days after birth
Wild animals locked in a cage

Tell it to this horse...


May 22nd, photo by Jodi Louth during her assessment for hay donation visit
Two weeks ago after he was removed from Wendi's and at his new adoptive home
Here he is after being captive for six weeks while still at Litchfield Corrals
photo taken October 8, 2010
Just days after his capture, Litchfield Corrals August 21, 2010
click on photo to enlarge


Allegan County Prosecutor Fred Anderson said the Sheriff's Office “will continue to assist the owner to ensure that all the horses are properly placed and maintained in a state of good health as required by state law. “If not this office will take further action to protect the safety of these horses.”

Here is Romeo, center furthest back, on May 22nd by Jodi Louth during her assessment for hay donation visit

Romeo on June 8th,still at Wendi's, and after being under the "careful watch" of the Sheriff's Dept.
for 2 1/2 weeks while he continued to decline
Jodi Louth from the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition was astounded that his condition had deteriorated to this extent so quickly.


Romeo the day he was captured, BLM photo Aug. 14, 2010

See more about Romeo and all these horses below.
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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

What Exactly Is A "Mire"?

Apparently it is $2100.00.

Once free roaming wild horses are now property of an abusive person and authorities will not protect them. So the law has nothing to do with protecting the innocent but just another financial institution.

Today's News...
Allegan mustangs: Prosecutor has not yet decided whether to pursue charges


"I need $2,100 in hand before the county will approve seizure," Kuhn said. "My undersheriff made it very clear that, based on our financial position, the county simply cannot afford to pay expenses for these horses. That's why we arranged for Wendi to foster those out. That's why we went that route."

It was reported the Sheriff's department was declining the financial support from the concerned community.
Animal lovers gallop to the aid of wild mustangs, sheriff's department inundated with offers of help

 "We've got more resources than we need at this point," Lt. Frank Baker said.
And on June 16th, "It's hard enough to accept donations of supplies," Kuhn said. "It's extremely difficult to manage (cash) donations. If we can keep our hands off the money, it's a lot less complicated."


And where is Wendi going to "foster" them out to?
One truck full is headed to Florida, the furthest from their home they could be sent. Apparently it is permissible for them to be shipped east in a malnourished body condition but not west, to their home.

These horses have generously been offered a life long sanctuary home in California, at DreamCatcher Wild Horse & Burro Sanctuary. The Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition has been working tirelessly to see this happen, "It would be the happy ending they deserve" said Jodi Louth, but the civil servants employed to protect the harmless are refusing to do their job. It seems they are actually breaking the law they have been sworn to uphold.

L 750.50 - Duty to Provide Adequate Care Provision - This statute sets out the Michigan duty of care for all vertebrate animals, including what define adequate food, water, and shelter.  Also explained are the penalty and forfeiture provisions for violations of the statute.  The exclusions under the statute include those animals used in hunting, fishing, trapping, horse racing, farming, zoos, and scientific research.

MCL 750.52 - Duty to Enforce Provision - This statute provides that it is the duty of the officials involved in animal cruelty investigations to arrest and prosecute those committing the offenses where there is knowledge or reasonable notice of the acts.  The failure or neglect by an officer involved to do so may result in a misdemeanor.

MCL 750.53 - Search and Seizure Provision - This statute provides that a person violating any of the animal cruelty statutes may be arrested without warrant, similar to the arrest of those found disturbing the peace.  Further, the official making the arrest has a duty to seize the animals involved and place them in the custody of the jurisdiction.

Call the officer in charge is Sgt. Kuhn at the
Allegan County Sheriff's Department
112 Walnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
Phone: (269) 673-0500


"Romeo" at Litchfield Corrals Jan 4, 2011
"Romeo and his new best friend dragline in his mustang proof pen" WB

Romeo now emaciated still dragging halter and leadrope, early June 2011

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Here is one BLM Sale Authority Mustang's experience in Florida...

June 23rd, 2011

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Safety

Now with a family who truly cares about them...


The two bay geldings pictured below in the Just Neglect? post.
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Saturday, June 18, 2011

Just Neglect?

Another photo just came from Michigan, the bay gelding in the back was reported to be standing in that "founder" position the entire time the photographer was on site.
This treatment is beyond neglect, it is torture. The bay geldings have no food and are forced to watch in pain as another horse eats. How can this abuse be stopped?

Friday, June 17, 2011

Will We Be Fed Today?

photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition

One of the BLM sale authority mustangs still remaining in Wendi Bierling's custody, the woman who is responsible for their present condition, while authorities work through the "mire of legal red tape".

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Thursday, June 16, 2011

SHOT!

UPDATED 6/17/2011

It was confirmed today by State Police the horse that was shot by the state trooper was tag #1803.

Sgt. Chris Kuhn of the Allegan County Sheriff's Office stated this mare was shot last month by a Michigan State Police trooper when the horse escaped, eluded recapture, and headed toward traffic along U.S. 131.

Palomino mare at Litchfield corrals January 4th, 2011   photo by JJohnston

Palomino mare at Litchfield corrals January 4th, 2011   photo by JJohnston
At "adoption" event in Michigan
At "adoption" event in Michigan

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Mustangs Offered Sanctuary

Article by Rosemary Parker,


Who will be feeding the ones remaining in Bierling’s custody while officials sort through this "mire"?



Help Bring Them Home

Press Release from Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition


June 16, 2011 – Today, the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition (MHWC) announces it assistance in the investigation of Wendi Bierling of Allegan, Michigan, regarding the alleged neglect of 25 wild Mustangs on her property. The MHWC urges Allegan County officials to conduct a thorough investigation of this case and to act quickly to ensure the safety and welfare of the horses.

On May 22, 2011, two MHWC representatives, Jodi Louth and Jill Fritz, visited Bierling’s property after Bierling submitted an application for assistance from the MHWC Hay Bank for 25 wild Mustangs that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) shipped to Bierling in February of 2011. The horses were rounded up by the BLM last August in California. All of the Mustangs are over the age of eleven.

The MHWC contacted law enforcement after witnessing gross negligence of the Mustangs, and has provided much evidence for the prosecution.

Law enforcement officials last Thursday assured the MHWC that the horses on Bierling’s property would be placed in foster homes approved by Allegan County officials, and that there would not be any more shuffling of the horses until after the investigation so that officials could keep track of the horses and monitor their care.

“We’re concerned that these horses may end up in the wrong hands if their movements are not carefully monitored by Allegan County officials during their investigation,” says Jodi Louth, MHWC Hay Bank Coordinator. “These are older Mustangs that still have all of their wild instincts and can be very dangerous to handle. We’ve consulted with numerous wild Mustang experts, all of whom have said that these horses would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to train due to their age. We do not encourage adoption of these Mustangs by private individuals for these reasons.”

Barbara Clarke, wild horse expert and director of the 2,000-acre DreamCatcher Wild Horse and Burro Sanctuary (http://www.dreamcatcherhorsesanctuary.org/) in northeastern California , contacted the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition after hearing about the plight of these Mustangs and has offered them a permanent home as soon as the horses are healthy enough again to travel.

“We are only twenty miles from the Twin Peaks Horse Management Area where these horses were thriving prior to the BLM rounding them up” says Clarke. “Now we all have an opportunity to bring the horses back home where they belong and in an environment they are familiar with. After all they have been through they deserve their freedom back.”

While the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department continues to work on their case against Bierling, the MHWC has helped to support the rescue of five adult Mustangs and three Mustang foals from Bierling’s property, all of whom are currently in foster homes. The MHWC has helped to pay expenses for these horses, including reimbursement for hay and feed. The MHWC has also paid all veterinary care expenses for the horses, totaling nearly $2,500 so far.

Two Mustangs—a pregnant mare with a body condition score of one (the lowest score a horse can have and still be alive) and a foal—had serious medical issues while in Bierling’s custody. The MHWC and its supporters prioritized these horses for rescue, and they have both been examined by veterinarians and are doing well. However, the emaciated mare gave birth on Sunday and her foal did not survive. Read the story here.

Jill Fritz, MHWC secretary, concludes: “We urge the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department to pursue animal cruelty charges in this case, and to make the welfare of these horses a priority. It’s crucial that horse owners understand that the neglect of any animal is explicitly prohibited under Michigan’s animal cruelty statute. Financial hardship or lack of knowledge about proper horse care is not an excuse to ignore the law.”

The MHWC denied Bierling’s Hay Bank application due to a breach in MHWC policy regarding breeding. Read the detailed statement here

The MHWC and its Hay Bank was founded in January 2010 and has since helped to feed over 101 horses throughout Michigan. Donations to the MHWC Hay Bank are tax-deductible and greatly needed.

For more information, please visit www.michiganhorsewelfarecoalition.org

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Jewel

A foal is born, but loses it's fight to survive. Kalamazoo Gazette

Baby at Michigan State University   photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition

Baby at Michigan State University   photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition


Jewel, the foals starved mother    photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition

Jewel, now in Foster care    photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition

Jewel is one of the lucky ones... although she lost her foal, she has been adopted, and is being well cared for now. Most of the other 28 are not so lucky.


Six have been either adopted or are in foster care to date... listed here.
Two mares and foals have died, four mares unaccounted for.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

More From Michigan

MHWC Statement Regarding Mustangs in Allegan, MI

Conditions so deplorable the Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition, decided to deny this owner's Hay Bank Request Application and instead offer hay assistance to any legitimate and responsible adopters of the mustangs.
They are also paying veterinary bills for one mare and one colt, both with very urgent needs, who are now in a safe place.



13 year old mare from Twin Peaks HMA.
photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition
In foal, future uncertain.
photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition

#1833, 12 years old
photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition

#1765, 12 years old
photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

California to Michigan

The trip started here...




where they were up to their bellies in forage...


800,000 acres to call home...


running with their families...

now some have ended up here.