Coalition insists rescued horses will not be slaughtered
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CENTRALIA, Wash. -- A livestock group that saved two dozen horses from deplorable conditions is now desperately trying to save its reputation.
After KOMO's story of the rescue aired on Monday, a number of people used Facebook and email to voice concerns that the horses may be headed to slaughter.
Twenty-four horses were removed from a Centralia farm on Monday, and the owner is accused animal cruelty.
Horse lovers on Facebook cried out for action, and the Washington State Livestock Coalition volunteered to take the animals. Now, those same horse lovers are horrified by the thought that the animals could be headed to the slaughter house.
In online messages, people wondered what would happen to the horses now that they're in the hands of Sam Slusher. Slusher does buy horses to take to slaughter, but he said that's not what he's planning for the rescued horses.
"They think that just because I get a horse I automatically take them to kill," he said.
Slusher said he was just helping get the horses out of a bad situation.
The men and woman behind the livestock coalition wanted to set the record straight and gave KOMO exclusive access to the location where the horses are being cared for.
"They're all here," said the coalition's Dan Venable. "They're not in slaughter. They're not in Canada. Not in Mexico. They're all right here."
The coalition is using an auction website to help advertise the horses for adoption, with $200 to $400 fees to cover the costs.
The coalition also seized 50 goats that now up for adoption.
After KOMO's story of the rescue aired on Monday, a number of people used Facebook and email to voice concerns that the horses may be headed to slaughter.
Twenty-four horses were removed from a Centralia farm on Monday, and the owner is accused animal cruelty.
Horse lovers on Facebook cried out for action, and the Washington State Livestock Coalition volunteered to take the animals. Now, those same horse lovers are horrified by the thought that the animals could be headed to the slaughter house.
In online messages, people wondered what would happen to the horses now that they're in the hands of Sam Slusher. Slusher does buy horses to take to slaughter, but he said that's not what he's planning for the rescued horses.
"They think that just because I get a horse I automatically take them to kill," he said.
Slusher said he was just helping get the horses out of a bad situation.
The men and woman behind the livestock coalition wanted to set the record straight and gave KOMO exclusive access to the location where the horses are being cared for.
"They're all here," said the coalition's Dan Venable. "They're not in slaughter. They're not in Canada. Not in Mexico. They're all right here."
The coalition is using an auction website to help advertise the horses for adoption, with $200 to $400 fees to cover the costs.
The coalition also seized 50 goats that now up for adoption.
The latest information on the rescue and adoptions can be found on Washington State Livestock Coalition facebook.
I hope KOMO does follow this story, as well as the money trail associated with it.
Just a year ago there was a similar case (also aired by local news) of a large horse seizure in Skagit county and the horses were put under the care of another nonprofit (People Helping Horses) who proceeded to raise large sums of money to "cover costs". That money went to line the pockets of the executive director who was found guilty by the State Attorney's Office of fraud and embezzelment.
Some of the same well-intentioned horse lovers who help auction and slaughter-bound horses was used to find homes for those poor horses after it was discovered they were still starving since none of the money raised by the nonprofit went to feed the horses.
Is a strict accounting being made of the money collected? Are receipts being kept for all costs associated with the horses care? One of the ways the other nonprofit made their big windfall was by charging "board" for the horses at a very high rate. I imagine Mr. Slusher is charging for his costs as well, as he should, but I hope at reasonable rates. And I hope that above all, any "profit" will go to the poor elderly couple who were burned out of their home, and who are obviously suffering a mental illness known as hoarding. The horses are not the only ones suffering in this case.
There is some chance Keith Eldridge was caught in a bait and switch. He has no idea if the horses he saw when he visited the farm are the same ones rescued in Centralia. Dan Venable was not very believable on TV and he does sell animals to slaughter.
@al_wa While those were the same horses, I do agree that there is something very wrong going on here. Sam Slusher is a kill buyer - no doubt about that, Auction Horses was listing horses for him before this story ever broke. I believe that the WSLC saw Mr. Specht's horses as a way to look like they were doing something great, and earn some money while they were at it. Now that KOMO is involved, The WSLC are being careful, but have no doubt that if Mr. Eldridge hadn't jumped in, any horses not sold in one week that were worth a dime in meat, would have been heading to slaughter. Heck, I don't doubt that even now if those horses don't sell and Mr. Slusher gets a chance to fatten them up - he will ship them off as soon as the media and public stops staring.
@Thunder@al_wa Thanks for your insight. I watched the KOMO TV news coverage this morning and found this story to be very unconvincing. When you feel the need to tell someone how honest you are, you are probably not.
@al_wa You are so full of what those animals were removed from, it's unbelievable!!! Instead of trying to cause trouble,why not get in touch with Mr.Eldridge yourself and ask him if they are the same horses,, he saw them both times!! Also, instead of trying to cause trouble,,why don't you come volenteer your help to help these people get their place back in shape so they can get a real home to live in!!
Meat is meat ---- we are all made of flesh. Cow, pig and chicken aren't the only options!
I've had horse meat over in Asia and Europe. Â It's not bad - tastes kind of like top round steak.
@UtterReality - I've heard it tastes really salty but wouldn't know.
I hope they can find good homes for every one of these guys. It's getting expensive to care for animals of this size, not something everyone can handle.Â