The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FOR several weeks, horses at a drug rehabilitation facility have been repeatedly targeted by thieves.

Bahamas Association for Social Health president Terry Miller, in an interview with The Tribune yesterday, expressed concern over the unprecedented criminal activity that has singled out his only mare.

The incidents follow the resuscitation of controversy over the ownership of the five horses at the drug rehabilitation facility.

Mr Miller said: “(Tuesday) someone came into the yard, and tied one of our horses,” he said. “It appears as if they intended to move her out. When they were confronted, it reached the point that after an argument they (culprit) ran out of the yard, two guys chased him, but he ran into a car and drove off.

“Three nights earlier, a riding saddle pad was stolen, two weeks prior to that horse ropes were stolen, and three weeks before that the same horse was targeted.”

Mr Miller said workers found Soca, the only female horse, outside the stable on a path leading to the horse trails. Soca’s two back legs were tied so that she could walk but couldn’t run. Mr Miller said the string of events was very uncommon.

“We’ve had horses from 2002,” he said, “and in those 12 years we’ve never had any incident where anyone came in to mess with our horses.”

He said: “After all, we’ve gone through as it relates to all the complaints and the pressure that has come down on us from different quarters, people thinking we’re abusing the animals, and then to have this right on the heels of it.

“No one else in the area is having any problems, the Humane Society isn’t having any problems. I don’t know of any Surrey horse owner having such problems.”

There are five horses at BASH’s stables: four males – Zeus, Martini, Aarab and Red – and Soca, the mare.

In June, The Tribune reported on animal cruelty claims against BASH by Happy Trails owner Sue Smith.

Mrs Smith said that she has been trying to reclaim horses leased by a third party to BASH for nearly five years, and maintains that the animals have been slowly dying due to improper care. She alleged that their condition has rapidly worsened this year.

However, Mr Miller has countered that an earlier court order had mandated payment for the period that the horses were in his care. He also rejected animal cruelty claims; however, he admitted that the organisation suffered a major financial setback last year. He attributed recent health difficulties to a deviation from feeding schedules during his two-week absence for a training seminar, adding that the horses have since recovered.

The Tribune understands that officials from the Bahamas Humane Society (BHS) and the Ministry of Agriculture are working with the organisation to resolve health concerns.

However, animal cruelty claims have not been supported by the BHS or the Ministry of Agriculture.

Last month, reports surfaced that Red, the oldest horse, had died. However, during a tour of the stables, it was confirmed that the horse was still alive and had recovered from previous illnesses.

Mr Miller said: “Red is doing pretty well, he’s walking better and better. He’s the horse they wanted us to put down; they wanted us to put that horse down about eight years ago so we’ve given that horse eight years of life. I think we’ve accomplished something. We’re watching Red very closely, and already spoken to the Ministry of Health about the possibility of putting him down if we see him really struggling to walk. If that’s the case, then that will be our next move.”