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POSTED: 03-12-2008 12:06 AM ET | MODIFIED: 03-12-2008 12:12 AM ET
Berks Horse Group Takes Cause to Lawmakers
They're healthy horses headed for slaughter houses. But one Berks-based
group is giving them a second chance. They lobbied for their cause in
Washington D.C. last week. WFMZ's Melissa Batulis has more on what
they're doing to make a difference.
http://www.ac4h.
REPORTER: Cheri is a two-year-old thoroughbred. >> SHIEDY: She has
racing plates on, which are indicative of being breezed at the track. >>
REPORTER: But despite being raised for racing...this horse somehow made
it to auction.. up for bid to slaughter houses. That's when Christy
Shiedy and the group, Another Chance for Horses, stepped in. >> SHIEDY:
Yesterday, we outbid two kill buyers to secure Sherry. >> REPORTER: The
saving bid came from donations. Another Chance for Horses relies on
donated money, land and time to provide care for the rescued animals and
help them transition into new lives. >> SHIEDY: See what she'd like to
do as far as does she want to be a hunter or go into dressage. Does she
enjoy jumping or maybe she just wants to do trails. >> STAND UP: Cheri
is at the beginning of the rescue process. But these horses are nearing
the end and are success stories. They were rescued from slaughter about
two months ago and now they're headed for their new home. >> SHIEDY:
They're lucky enough to be getting another chance at life with their new
families. >> REPORTER: Along with rescues, the group is spreading the
word about horse slaughter. The last of the slaughter houses in the U-S
was shut down in 2007. But foreign markets still buy American horses to
be killed and sold as a delicacy. That changes the mission for groups
like Another Chance. >> SHIEDY: Rescues were initially set up to help
neglected, abused animals. But with slaughter, sound, healthy horses are
winding up on plates across the seas in foreign countries. >> REPORTER:
Eventually, Sheidy would like to see a permanent facility built for the
rehabilitation of the rescued horses. In the meantime, over the past
decade its been around, the group has already rescued thousands of
horses. And they say they won't stop until they put themselves out of
business. >> SHIEDY: It's wonderful when you save them. >> REPORTER: In
North Heidelberg Township, Melissa Batulis, 69 News Berks Edition.