USDA charges dealer with horse soring
Middletown, KY (US)Incident Date: Monday, Sep 30, 1996
County: Jefferson
Disposition: USDA Citation
Person of Interest: Mike Thomas
On Sept. 30, 1996, the U.S. Department of Agriculture fined horse owner/trainer Mike Thomas of North Middletown, Ky., for violations of the Horse Protection Act.
"Soring is not only a cruel and hurtful form of abuse, it's also against the law," said Dale F. Schwindaman, deputy administrator for regulatory enforcement and animal care with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of the marketing and regulatory missions area. "We are in the business of protecting animals. Through the Horse Protection Act, we will not allow improper treatment of equines."
Thomas was fined $2,000 and disqualified for one year from showing, exhibiting, or entering any horse in any horse show or exhibition. He is also disqualified from judging, managing, or otherwise participating in any horse show or horse exhibition.
The HPA discourages the cruel and inhumane practice of soring by prohibiting sored horses from participating in exhibitions, sales, shows, and auctions. Soring refers to pain-provoking practices used to accentuate a horse's gait. The HPA covers all breeds of horses.
References- USDA - September 30, 1996
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