RIVERDALE, Md., April 14, 2000--The U.S. Department of Agriculture and
Barbara Utermark, the Evans, Ga., owner of Kennedy's PT 109, and Allen Forman
of Thomson, Ga., have settled charges of Horse Protection Act violations.
"If a horse owner allows someone to enter their horse into competition
while that horse is sore, we will go after both the show participant and the
owner," said W. Ron DeHaven, deputy administrator for animal care with the
animal and plant health inspection service, a part of the marketing and
regulatory programs mission area. "The soring of horses is illegal."
Utermark and Forman are both disqualified for four months from showing,
exhibiting, or entering any horse in any horse show or exhibition. They are
also disqualified from judging, managing, or otherwise participating in any
horse show, exhibition, sale or auction.
The HPA discourages the cruel and inhumane practice of soring by
prohibiting sored horses from participating in exhibitions, sales, shows, and
auctions. Soring refers to pain-provoking practices used to accentuate a
horse's gait. The HPA covers all breeds of horses.
You can contact Jim Rogers at 301) 734-8563 or e mail @ Jim D. Rodgers
and Laura Sanchez at (301) 734-5974 e mail @ Laura D. Sanche
USDA news releases, program announcements, and media advisories are available
on the Internet. Access the APHIS Home Page by pointing your web browser to
http://www.aphis.usda.gov and clicking on "APHIS Press Releases."
