FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Humane
Society of the United States Announces $10,000 Reward for Information on Horse Soring
(March
18, 2008) — The Humane Society of the United States has announced it will offer a reward of $10,000 for information
leading to the arrest and conviction of any violator of Tennessee’s “horse soring” law, which prohibits
the deliberate infliction of pain to horses’ feet to produce an artificially high-stepping gait. Ads announcing the
reward will appear throughout middle Tennessee, an area still believed to be a hotbed of soring activity.
“Soring - the deliberate infliction
of pain upon a horse to increase the animal’s entertainment or monetary value - is incredibly cruel, and must end”
said Keith Dane, director of equine protection at The Humane Society of the United States.
The soring of Tennessee Walking Horses
and other breeds of gaited show horses is one of the most heinous forms of abuse inflicted upon equines in the U.S.
The practice involves the use of caustic chemicals and chains on the legs of the horse, creating severe pain and forcing an
exaggerated, high-stepping gait.
Pressure shoeing – another especially
egregious form of soring – is the abusive technique of cutting a horse's hoof almost to the bloodline so the shoe puts
painful pressure on the horse's sole with each stride. In some instances, foreign objects are placed between the hoof
and the shoe to create painful pressure on the sole.
Passage of a federal law (the 1970 Horse
Protection Act) has not had the intended effect of eliminating soring. Tennessee also has a state law prohibiting soring,
but enforcement of these laws has proven difficult, and this illegal practice continues on a widespread basis. Therefore,
The HSUS is offering this reward in order to encourage citizens to come forward and help end this entrenched cruelty.
In 2006, the annual Tennessee Walking
Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, TN failed to name a World Grand Champion when most of the finalists were disqualified
for violations of the federal Horse Protection Act.
Constituents, who support HSUS’
efforts and understand the need to end this cruel practice, have generously agreed to supplement the reward amount. In the
past, supporters have offered similar backing for increased rewards in particular cases of animal cruelty.
Anyone with information on this cruel
practice should call 1-866-411-TEAM (8326). The Humane Society of the United States will protect the identity of all callers.
