Monday, November 3, 2008

Guilty!!! Justice for Katie, Jack and Yiyo

In memory of the horse Yiyo. We wish we could have spared you such suffering. You live in our hearts, and you will never be forgotten...

On the heels of such sad news with Athena, I'm pleased to announce a GUILTY verdict in the criminal animal cruelty trial, People v. Barrera, Valencia!!! The people who neglected Sonoma CHANGE Program horses Katie and her horse companions Jack and YiYo will now face the consequences of their actions.

I was one of dozens of people who attended the trial. We were told that not even murder trials had such a large audience. This, in turn, generated tremendous media attention.

Following Mr. Barrera's guilty verdict, a stunned audience watched as he was handcuffed in the courtroom and taken to the county jail, where he will stay WITHOUT BAIL until sentencing on November 26. For those close to this case, November 26, 2007 is the day that Mr. Barrera's horse YiYo died an excruciating death, alone in a stall without medical attention, of a intestinal twist.

So here is the press coverage. Please join me in celebrating this victory. Here in Sonoma County, animal cruelty cases have rarely seen the inside of a courtroom. The Sonoma CHANGE Program, The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office, and Sonoma County Animal Care & Control are now working together to set a precedent of aggressive prosecution of crimes against animals. We hope these efforts will inspire other counties around the nation.

Bloomfield couple on trial for abuse in horse's death

Woman in horse-abuse case says boyfriend was in charge

Horse cruelty trial nears conclusion

Defendant guilty in death of horse

Plea bargain in horse cruelty case

Woman accepts deal to avoid retrial in horse abuse

Katie during rehabilitation at a CHANGE Program foster farm:


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Katie rides Katie in a training session last August at Watermark Farm:

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Katie's daughter, Rich Debut (chestnut on right), actively raced on the West Coast in 2008. Please keep your eye out for her as she, like many racing TBs, may eventually need a new home. Katie also has a 2-year-old son living on a Thoroughbred breeding farm in Vacaville, CA. The farm owner would like to place him. Please contact me if you are interested in Katie's son, and I will connect you with the farm owner. These two horses are Katie's only living offspring.


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9 comments:

GoLightly said...

YES!!!!!!!
I still think tarring and feathering might be a great option for first time offenders. It would take a long time to come off, wouldn't it?
That or being shot and pissed on, or shot, shoveled, and shut up about..
I would like to send a note of thanks to the judge.
But I really do need some sleep!
Great work, to have so many people there at the trial, in defense of those poor creatures who were so helpless.
(I'm sending Argus a hug, in my head, I hope he feels it)
Thank god for people like you.

Promise said...

I think they should be punished the same way their animals were treated, personally.

SO glad to hear they're going to jail.

watchingpuddles said...

HOORAY!!!! Congratulations to all of you! Keep up the amazing work. :)

pchoofinit said...

I agree with Promise, he should be treated as he treated poor Yiyo.
So darned sad. Thank God Katie was saved and living hopefully a wonderful life in her new home.
It is about time our courts started to punish these idiots to the fullest extent of our laws. I wish the laws were even more tougher.

Congrats to you Katie for your hard work. It must feel really good to finally see some justice.

The Intrepid Instructor said...

WOOHOO!!! Congrats, so glad to see justice was served.

Strawberry Lane said...

Fantastic ... they're off to jail!

Cheers to all the people that kept the pressure on. Congrats to you for your determination!

Peggy Archer said...

Kudos to the farm owner for trying to place the horse and not just sending him to the auction.

Joy said...

Amazing & awesome news!!!

Anonymous said...

Katie is a very nicely built horse. Do you know if her two offspring as as nice?