ridecamp@endurance.net: Another article - Bakersfield auction

Another article - Bakersfield auction

Wrecksduke@aol.com
Tue, 3 Jun 1997 10:50:17 -0400 (EDT)

Seized horses set for auction
Filed 0:00 - 6/2/97
The Bakersfield Californian
More than 18 months after being seized from a ranch near Caliente by Kern
County Animal
Control officers because they were neglected and emaciated, a herd of Arabian
horses is slated
to go on the auction block Saturday.
Beginning this morning, potential buyers will be able to view the horses in
the main grandstand
area at the Kern County Fairgrounds.
The horses will be available for viewing Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Some
are from highly prized bloodlines, some are registered and others are not.
The auction will be held at the fairgrounds beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Although officers originally seized 87 horses from the property owned by
Jennifer
Washburn-Shaw and her former husband, Alan Shaw, there are now 111 horses
ready for
adoption. Foals born while the herd was kept at a ranch at Lerdo Jail make up
the remainder of
the horses.
The pair entered no-contest pleas last summer to 41 counts of animal cruelty.
They were each ordered to spend 45 days in jail, 320 days under house arrest
and perform
1,200 hours of community service.
Since they were seized in September 1995, the horses have become a lighting
rod for animal
cruelty activists and Arabian horse enthusiasts. Letters flooded county
offices from groups and
individuals concerned about a possible slaughter of the horses, despite
assurances from animal
control officials and prosecutor Michael Yraceburn.
But it was a Superior Court judge's statements from the bench that ended
concern about the fate
of the horses.
``I can tell you right now, the court will take measures to ensure these
horses are not sold for
slaughter,'' Judge Gary T. Friedman said last September. ``That's just not
going to happen.''
The minimum bid for each of the horses being offered for sale is $500, a
price set high enough to
discourage anyone from purchasing them for slaughter. A state law enacted in
September 1996 in
response to lobbying by horse enthusiasts concerned that the Arabians would
be slaughtered
requires the county to set the bid price above the going rate for horses paid
by packing houses.
Those who wish to purchase a horse must apply with Animal Control for the
right to bid. To
receive an application, call the county's Arabian horse adoption information
line at 868-0528.
A second week of viewing and an additional auction will be held next week,
with viewing June 9
through 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the auction held June 14 at 9 a.m.

Copyright© 1997, The Bakersfield Californian

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