www.maggieslaw.co.uk-Campaign for Equine Justice
Target:
The Prime Minister
Sponsored by:
Maggie's Law is a campaigning for a change in the laws dealing with attacks on horses and ponies. After an attack in 2007, Davina Bowyer lost her beloved 19 yr old black and white mare in horrific circumstances.
The mare in question, Maggie, had been owned by Davina since the horse was 18 months old. On Friday 13th April 2007, Maggie, a 19-year-old piebald mare, suffered horrific injuries following an attack at Essington Hall Farm, Essington when a group of youths fueled by drinking in local woods went into Maggies field and startled her, they proceeded to chase her, they repeatedly hurled a butcher%u2019s meat cleaver at her and she was put down the following day due to her injuries when her owner found her lying in a pool of blood. Maggie suffered a five-inch-deep cut to her neck, a three-and-a-half-inch cut on her shoulder and her right leg was broken. The mare%u2019s rear-leg tendon was severed by a blow which cut to the bone. The two youths who did this were given extremely lenient sentences.
What we would like to see is those who commit attacks like these punished more severely, with sentences being tougher, and more in line with the sentences for those convicted of assault, in the minor cases, and for the major cases, when horses and ponies are put down because of the trauma they have suffered, the sentences should be in line with those for drinking and driving, or causing death by dangerous driving. THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE ANYONE CAN RECEIVE IF CONVICTED OF THESE CRIMES IS SIX MONTHS, we need to change this, as in Maggies case her attacker received the maximum sentence and was free in 6 weeks!
There has been a recent upturn in the number of attacks, and in those attacks, there is an upturn in the amount of violence used against the defenceless animals. Most of the attacks are committed in the middle of the night, and in the summer months.
In researching this topic, a number of cases have been brought to light where the attacks have been carried out by teenagers, usually after drinking heavily. Many of these horrific acts of violence are carried out with sharp knives, machetes, and airguns. In most cases, the horses and ponies involved are able to survive their wounds, but, as in Maggie%u2019s case, sometimes the attacks are so violent, that the horse or pony involved has to be put down.
One attack, in July 2007, left a pony bought for a 7yr old girl so badly injured, that he was unable to be ridden for several months.
These wounds are caused by a machete. This pony was a trusting and used to humans, and his trust has been betrayed in the most brutal fashion we can imagine. Another horse was slashed under the chest.
These animals look to humans to look after them, nurture, and protect them, yet there are those out there who needlessly and wilfully betray that trust. The Animals Act 2006 laid down certain penalties if those who look after animals neglect or mistreat them, yet for those who wilfully go out and attack them, there is no provision.
To those of us who own horses, they are more than just an animal, they are part of the family, and for those of us who have suffered the tragedy of seeing an animal needlessly injured or for a horse to have lost its life through a act of unspeakable violence, these acts of violence against an animal that we have bred to trust humans are just too much to bear.
We would like to see an amendment to the Animals Act 2006 to bring in tougher sentencing for those convicted of these attacks.
The mare in question, Maggie, had been owned by Davina since the horse was 18 months old. On Friday 13th April 2007, Maggie, a 19-year-old piebald mare, suffered horrific injuries following an attack at Essington Hall Farm, Essington when a group of youths fueled by drinking in local woods went into Maggies field and startled her, they proceeded to chase her, they repeatedly hurled a butcher%u2019s meat cleaver at her and she was put down the following day due to her injuries when her owner found her lying in a pool of blood. Maggie suffered a five-inch-deep cut to her neck, a three-and-a-half-inch cut on her shoulder and her right leg was broken. The mare%u2019s rear-leg tendon was severed by a blow which cut to the bone. The two youths who did this were given extremely lenient sentences.
What we would like to see is those who commit attacks like these punished more severely, with sentences being tougher, and more in line with the sentences for those convicted of assault, in the minor cases, and for the major cases, when horses and ponies are put down because of the trauma they have suffered, the sentences should be in line with those for drinking and driving, or causing death by dangerous driving. THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE ANYONE CAN RECEIVE IF CONVICTED OF THESE CRIMES IS SIX MONTHS, we need to change this, as in Maggies case her attacker received the maximum sentence and was free in 6 weeks!
There has been a recent upturn in the number of attacks, and in those attacks, there is an upturn in the amount of violence used against the defenceless animals. Most of the attacks are committed in the middle of the night, and in the summer months.
In researching this topic, a number of cases have been brought to light where the attacks have been carried out by teenagers, usually after drinking heavily. Many of these horrific acts of violence are carried out with sharp knives, machetes, and airguns. In most cases, the horses and ponies involved are able to survive their wounds, but, as in Maggie%u2019s case, sometimes the attacks are so violent, that the horse or pony involved has to be put down.
One attack, in July 2007, left a pony bought for a 7yr old girl so badly injured, that he was unable to be ridden for several months.
These wounds are caused by a machete. This pony was a trusting and used to humans, and his trust has been betrayed in the most brutal fashion we can imagine. Another horse was slashed under the chest.
These animals look to humans to look after them, nurture, and protect them, yet there are those out there who needlessly and wilfully betray that trust. The Animals Act 2006 laid down certain penalties if those who look after animals neglect or mistreat them, yet for those who wilfully go out and attack them, there is no provision.
To those of us who own horses, they are more than just an animal, they are part of the family, and for those of us who have suffered the tragedy of seeing an animal needlessly injured or for a horse to have lost its life through a act of unspeakable violence, these acts of violence against an animal that we have bred to trust humans are just too much to bear.
We would like to see an amendment to the Animals Act 2006 to bring in tougher sentencing for those convicted of these attacks.
Horses and ponies have no voice, we would like to change that, and ensure their voice is heard.
Maggie's Law is a campaigning for a change in the laws dealing with attacks on horses and ponies. After an attack in 2007, Davina Bowyer lost her beloved 19 yr old black and white mare in horrific circumstances.
The mare in question, Maggie, had been owned by Davina since the horse was 18 months old. On Friday 13th April 2007, Maggie, a 19-year-old piebald mare, suffered horrific injuries following an attack at Essington Hall Farm, Essington when a group of youths fueled by drinking in local woods went into Maggies field and startled her, they proceeded to chase her, they repeatedly hurled a butcher%u2019s meat cleaver at her and she was put down the following day due to her injuries when her owner found her lying in a pool of blood. Maggie suffered a five-inch-deep cut to her neck, a three-and-a-half-inch cut on her shoulder and her right leg was broken. The mare%u2019s rear-leg tendon was severed by a blow which cut to the bone. The two youths who did this were given extremely lenient sentences.
What we would like to see is those who commit attacks like these punished more severely, with sentences being tougher, and more in line with the sentences for those convicted of assault, in the minor cases, and for the major cases, when horses and ponies are put down because of the trauma they have suffered, the sentences should be in line with those for drinking and driving, or causing death by dangerous driving. THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE ANYONE CAN RECEIVE IF CONVICTED OF THESE CRIMES IS SIX MONTHS, we need to change this, as in Maggies case her attacker received the maximum sentence and was free in 6 weeks!
There has been a recent upturn in the number of attacks, and in those attacks, there is an upturn in the amount of violence used against the defenceless animals. Most of the attacks are committed in the middle of the night, and in the summer months.
In researching this topic, a number of cases have been brought to light where the attacks have been carried out by teenagers, usually after drinking heavily. Many of these horrific acts of violence are carried out with sharp knives, machetes, and airguns. In most cases, the horses and ponies involved are able to survive their wounds, but, as in Maggie%u2019s case, sometimes the attacks are so violent, that the horse or pony involved has to be put down.
One attack, in July 2007, left a pony bought for a 7yr old girl so badly injured, that he was unable to be ridden for several months.
These wounds are caused by a machete. This pony was a trusting and used to humans, and his trust has been betrayed in the most brutal fashion we can imagine. Another horse was slashed under the chest.
These animals look to humans to look after them, nurture, and protect them, yet there are those out there who needlessly and wilfully betray that trust. The Animals Act 2006 laid down certain penalties if those who look after animals neglect or mistreat them, yet for those who wilfully go out and attack them, there is no provision.
To those of us who own horses, they are more than just an animal, they are part of the family, and for those of us who have suffered the tragedy of seeing an animal needlessly injured or for a horse to have lost its life through a act of unspeakable violence, these acts of violence against an animal that we have bred to trust humans are just too much to bear.
We would like to see an amendment to the Animals Act 2006 to bring in tougher sentencing for those convicted of these attacks.
The mare in question, Maggie, had been owned by Davina since the horse was 18 months old. On Friday 13th April 2007, Maggie, a 19-year-old piebald mare, suffered horrific injuries following an attack at Essington Hall Farm, Essington when a group of youths fueled by drinking in local woods went into Maggies field and startled her, they proceeded to chase her, they repeatedly hurled a butcher%u2019s meat cleaver at her and she was put down the following day due to her injuries when her owner found her lying in a pool of blood. Maggie suffered a five-inch-deep cut to her neck, a three-and-a-half-inch cut on her shoulder and her right leg was broken. The mare%u2019s rear-leg tendon was severed by a blow which cut to the bone. The two youths who did this were given extremely lenient sentences.
What we would like to see is those who commit attacks like these punished more severely, with sentences being tougher, and more in line with the sentences for those convicted of assault, in the minor cases, and for the major cases, when horses and ponies are put down because of the trauma they have suffered, the sentences should be in line with those for drinking and driving, or causing death by dangerous driving. THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE ANYONE CAN RECEIVE IF CONVICTED OF THESE CRIMES IS SIX MONTHS, we need to change this, as in Maggies case her attacker received the maximum sentence and was free in 6 weeks!
There has been a recent upturn in the number of attacks, and in those attacks, there is an upturn in the amount of violence used against the defenceless animals. Most of the attacks are committed in the middle of the night, and in the summer months.
In researching this topic, a number of cases have been brought to light where the attacks have been carried out by teenagers, usually after drinking heavily. Many of these horrific acts of violence are carried out with sharp knives, machetes, and airguns. In most cases, the horses and ponies involved are able to survive their wounds, but, as in Maggie%u2019s case, sometimes the attacks are so violent, that the horse or pony involved has to be put down.
One attack, in July 2007, left a pony bought for a 7yr old girl so badly injured, that he was unable to be ridden for several months.
These wounds are caused by a machete. This pony was a trusting and used to humans, and his trust has been betrayed in the most brutal fashion we can imagine. Another horse was slashed under the chest.
These animals look to humans to look after them, nurture, and protect them, yet there are those out there who needlessly and wilfully betray that trust. The Animals Act 2006 laid down certain penalties if those who look after animals neglect or mistreat them, yet for those who wilfully go out and attack them, there is no provision.
To those of us who own horses, they are more than just an animal, they are part of the family, and for those of us who have suffered the tragedy of seeing an animal needlessly injured or for a horse to have lost its life through a act of unspeakable violence, these acts of violence against an animal that we have bred to trust humans are just too much to bear.
We would like to see an amendment to the Animals Act 2006 to bring in tougher sentencing for those convicted of these attacks.
Horses and ponies have no voice, we would like to change that, and ensure their voice is heard.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Increase the sentences of those found guilty of attacks on horses, ponies, and other equines.
This petition has been started because of the pitiful sentences imposed on two thugs who deliberately caused such horrific injuries to a horse called Maggie, that she had to be put to sleep.
One got 5 months in a Young Offenders Institute, and 180 hours of Community Service, the other one got a 12 month Community Order, and 180 hours Community service, charges against a third person were dropped.
These people tried filming the attack on a mobile phone and laughed as they attacked a gentle, loving horse.
Maggie had been with her owner since the horse was 18 months old, she was cruelly attacked and killed at the age of 19.
We would like to get the sentences of those who commit these atrocities increased, and to be tried at Crown court, not Magistrates courts.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
We signed the "www.maggieslaw.co.uk-Campaign for Equine Justice" petition!
# 647:
4:54 am PST, Jan 9,
Sharon Primerano, Connecticut
# 646:
4:38 am PST, Jan 9,
SL VSL, Bulgaria
# 645:
4:37 am PST, Jan 9,
Sage Me, Oregon
# 644:
4:29 am PST, Jan 9,
Denise Tankha, India
Obviously, these youths need special help, but first they must be put away lest their actions are repeated. The lax manner in which brutalities against animals are dealt with is the reason that this strange behaviour is on the rise.
Obviously, these youths need special help, but first they must be put away lest their actions are repeated. The lax manner in which brutalities against animals are dealt with is the reason that this strange behaviour is on the rise.
# 643:
3:06 am PST, Jan 9,
Hans Lak, Netherlands
# 642:
2:46 am PST, Jan 9,
Pilar Fidanza, Argentina
# 641:
2:08 am PST, Jan 9,
Fenia Yfandi, Greece
# 640:
|
1:45 am PST, Jan 9,
Anja MM, Netherlands
I am disgusted by that kind of "people" and the lenient sentences they get. My suggestion: do the same to them. I guess the attacks will be soon over!! |
# 639:
1:34 am PST, Jan 9,
Liz Powell, United Kingdom
# 638:
1:01 am PST, Jan 9,
Natalia Villalón, Spain
# 637:
12:49 am PST, Jan 9,
Ms.R. Sverio, California
# 636:
12:48 am PST, Jan 9,
Sage Oswald, Canada
# 635:
12:33 am PST, Jan 9,
Damir Grgic, Croatia
# 634:
12:32 am PST, Jan 9,
Marija Svrtan, Croatia
# 633:
12:31 am PST, Jan 9,
Natalija Svrtan, Croatia
# 632:
12:18 am PST, Jan 9,
Shirley Ross, California
# 631:
12:03 am PST, Jan 9,
Mary Hockett, Alabama
# 630:
11:43 pm PST, Jan 8,
Barbara Sultan, Netherlands
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 629:
11:39 pm PST, Jan 8,
Christian Burgess, Australia
# 628:
11:34 pm PST, Jan 8,
Gail Dair, Australia
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 627:
11:20 pm PST, Jan 8,
Angela VanCleve, Florida
# 626:
11:12 pm PST, Jan 8,
Gitte Thornberg, Denmark
# 625:
11:02 pm PST, Jan 8,
Anamaria Duculescu, Denmark
# 623:
10:55 pm PST, Jan 8,
Name not displayed, New York
# 622:
10:27 pm PST, Jan 8,
Pamela Ashford, California
People need to be held accountable for their actions! It is deplorable that someone can cause such havoc and get off with a slap on the wrist. Law enforcement officials will tell you that serial killers start with animals and progress to people. Our laws need more teeth to punish those who inflict harm on creatures unable to defend themselves.
People need to be held accountable for their actions! It is deplorable that someone can cause such havoc and get off with a slap on the wrist. Law enforcement officials will tell you that serial killers start with animals and progress to people. Our laws need more teeth to punish those who inflict harm on creatures unable to defend themselves.
# 621:
10:22 pm PST, Jan 8,
Donnalee Hill, France
horrific so so sad....this must not happen again.
horrific so so sad....this must not happen again.
# 620:
10:12 pm PST, Jan 8,
Name not displayed, Idaho
Please enact laws that reflect the seriousness of these horrible crimes against innocent and trusting animals. No animal should have to suffer this kind of attack, and no owner should have to watch this happen to a beloved horse. Please give them justice.
Please enact laws that reflect the seriousness of these horrible crimes against innocent and trusting animals. No animal should have to suffer this kind of attack, and no owner should have to watch this happen to a beloved horse. Please give them justice.
# 619:
9:58 pm PST, Jan 8,
Amy Giza, Michigan
# 618:
9:50 pm PST, Jan 8,
Madeleine Lapointe-Millar, Canada
This reminds me of the case of Charles Manson, who went into farmers' fields (his favorite was a person raising buffalo), and maiming them, then watching them suffer. If anyone is not old enough to remember him, he was the cult leader who got his members to kill many people in Hollywood, including an actress who was 8 months pregnant. since then, ther has been much proof that such behaviour towards animals during adolescence or later, is very closely co-related to violence against humans. Almost all serial killers started this way... Most all of them got little or no punishment for the crimes against animals - wrong message!
This reminds me of the case of Charles Manson, who went into farmers' fields (his favorite was a person raising buffalo), and maiming them, then watching them suffer. If anyone is not old enough to remember him, he was the cult leader who got his members to kill many people in Hollywood, including an actress who was 8 months pregnant. since then, ther has been much proof that such behaviour towards animals during adolescence or later, is very closely co-related to violence against humans. Almost all serial killers started this way... Most all of them got little or no punishment for the crimes against animals - wrong message!
# 617:
9:48 pm PST, Jan 8,
Rolien Van Greuning, South Africa
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 616:
9:36 pm PST, Jan 8,
Glenys Lind, Australia
I can not imagine the agony at finding one of my horses in that state. The fear,pain and suffering of poor Maggie must have been horrendous. My deepest sympath to Davina at her tragic loss. These horrible humans should be tried for murder. That is what they did and it does not matter if it was another human or some other kind of animal is irrelevent. They deserve the highest punishment.
I can not imagine the agony at finding one of my horses in that state. The fear,pain and suffering of poor Maggie must have been horrendous. My deepest sympath to Davina at her tragic loss. These horrible humans should be tried for murder. That is what they did and it does not matter if it was another human or some other kind of animal is irrelevent. They deserve the highest punishment.
# 615:
9:36 pm PST, Jan 8,
ADRIANA BLANDO CORDERO, Mexico
# 614:
|
9:27 pm PST, Jan 8,
Rosemary Rannes, New Hampshire
Zero tolerance for animal abusers who must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. There is no excuse for anything less! |
# 613:
9:22 pm PST, Jan 8,
Leanne Cook, Australia
I'm shocked at how some people can harm or kill animals without showing a shred of conscience.There should be more serious punishments.
I'm shocked at how some people can harm or kill animals without showing a shred of conscience.There should be more serious punishments.
# 612:
9:14 pm PST, Jan 8,
Marni Strauss, South Africa
Crimes against animals should be punished as hard as against humans! How many times have you heard that killers started off by mutalating animals!
Crimes against animals should be punished as hard as against humans! How many times have you heard that killers started off by mutalating animals!
# 611:
9:04 pm PST, Jan 8,
Arthur Pattison, (Reverend), Canada
need for immediate reform to prosecute more severly ALL animals that are abused, especially horses!
need for immediate reform to prosecute more severly ALL animals that are abused, especially horses!
# 610:
9:00 pm PST, Jan 8,
Mirella Burgess, Australia
# 609:
8:59 pm PST, Jan 8,
Marjorie Aaltink, Canada
This enrages me and makes me sick. Give the s.o.b.s the punishment they deserve. Six months is a slap on the wrist. A punishment like this is telling everyone that it is okay to do horrible things-because you won't suffer like the animal-My God please do something to change this- what if it was a human? would the sentence be the same?
This enrages me and makes me sick. Give the s.o.b.s the punishment they deserve. Six months is a slap on the wrist. A punishment like this is telling everyone that it is okay to do horrible things-because you won't suffer like the animal-My God please do something to change this- what if it was a human? would the sentence be the same?
# 608:
8:58 pm PST, Jan 8,
Jill Tew, Florida
These animals have lost all of their natural fear of us because we have "lulled" them into believing that we are their caregivers. Lets stick with the program. Prosecute those who maliciously attack, hurt, and maim them.
These animals have lost all of their natural fear of us because we have "lulled" them into believing that we are their caregivers. Lets stick with the program. Prosecute those who maliciously attack, hurt, and maim them.
# 607:
8:01 pm PST, Jan 8,
Anita Solomon, Florida
# 606:
7:57 pm PST, Jan 8,
Matthew Cloner, Washington
I believe that it is absolutely necessary to impose tougher sentencing for those convicted of committing horrific acts of extreme cruelty against defenseless animals such as Maggie. No animal should ever have to suffer such abuse at the hands of anyone; no animal owner should have to pay the price of such senseless violence. Please do everything you can within your power to impose tougher sentencing for such sadistic behavior.
I believe that it is absolutely necessary to impose tougher sentencing for those convicted of committing horrific acts of extreme cruelty against defenseless animals such as Maggie. No animal should ever have to suffer such abuse at the hands of anyone; no animal owner should have to pay the price of such senseless violence. Please do everything you can within your power to impose tougher sentencing for such sadistic behavior.
# 605:
7:57 pm PST, Jan 8,
Debbie Low, Florida
Those responsible for this heinous attack and ultimate lose of life for this beautiful mare need to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. If these youths are not punished appropriately, they will have no deterant to stop them from enacting this on another helpless and vulnerable animal, and that in my opinion is a grave injustice and not a message that should be sent. Please punish those responsible for this horrifying , senseless, and brutal crime... Put them behind bars-don't slap them on the wrist.
Those responsible for this heinous attack and ultimate lose of life for this beautiful mare need to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. If these youths are not punished appropriately, they will have no deterant to stop them from enacting this on another helpless and vulnerable animal, and that in my opinion is a grave injustice and not a message that should be sent. Please punish those responsible for this horrifying , senseless, and brutal crime... Put them behind bars-don't slap them on the wrist.
# 604:
7:49 pm PST, Jan 8,
Carmen Rico, Canada
Those who are capable of doing such thing are not humans and deserve to dye, period.
Those who are capable of doing such thing are not humans and deserve to dye, period.
# 603:
7:37 pm PST, Jan 8,
Michael Suchocki, Canada
# 602:
7:35 pm PST, Jan 8,
Ariane Falcão, Brazil
# 601:
7:33 pm PST, Jan 8,
Betsy Jane Achladis, Ohio
