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Mary Murray
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Theft Recovery 

by Debi Metcalfe ~ Stolen Horse International, Inc. ...powered by NetPosse Volunteers! "Never underestimate the power of one." http://www.netposse.com/ 

When a horse is missing someone's heart is breaking. Become part of the solution and join the NetPosse volunteer network. Will your efforts be noticed? Probably not but your efforts may bring a horse home. It only takes a moment to do the right thing...

YES! IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU:
Be prepared for the worst and hope this never happens. Believe me, ignorance is not bliss. I hope these prevention tips will help you to not be a victim. 

Quick action within the first 2 days is critical!

Don't Give Up
The search for Idaho lasted 51 exhausting weeks. Bar Saber and another horse stolen from the World Congress Horse Show in Augusta Georgia were found in a little over 3 months. Charlie, a flashy sorrel gelding was found in two months. Some owners have taken 7 and 10 years to find their horses. If you want to read more: Owners stories.

Be prepared to look for a long time. I always felt like I was looking for a needle in a haystack and the haystack kept moving. Continue your search until you can feel you did all you could do and have peace. Otherwise you may have this question, the same one many theft victims have reported wondering about to me, haunting you throughout time. 
"Could I have done more?"

WORK WORK WORK!
The recovery rate has been low over the years but with new technology, theft education and the kindness of strangers around the world those figures are looking up. Do something each day toward locating your horse. If you are one of those kind strangers...help them pass the word along. Don't bury your head in the sand and look the other way. Some day it may be you.

Prosecute
Did you know...in some states stealing a horse is a felony. Make sure you keep records of travel expenses, phone bills, printing cost and any other expenditures. You may be able to use these for restitution when you have your day in court. 

Our family hopes this will never happen to you.
There are many who have lost their pets and need your help. 

What can you do to help the victims? 
Go to Stolen websites. Open those email that are dropped into your box that may say, "STOLEN. CAN YOU HELP" It only takes a moment to download a flyer from the net or contact one of the horse owners to offer your support. Words can be very supportive -- more than you know. What do you do with this flyer? -- Post a flyer or two or more if you can. Do you go to horse events? Do you go shopping? 

You do not have to be a horse owner to help in the search. 
One horse was located after a flyer was posted in a beauty parlor. Our "lucky" horse flyer was posted on the door of a convenient store. One horse was located in 30 hours as a result of an email notice dropped into a box. Email the flyer and information to your many friends on the net and ask them to do the same. Keep one with you when you go to horse events. YOU may be the next one who spots the missing horse. Can you imagine the kind of joy that would bring to your life, to the victims life? 
Such a small act with such a big return...

The NetPosse Works
The flyer that brought our horse home was posted in a convenient store 50 weeks after Idaho was stolen. She was home a little over a week later. The Net Posse is a group of people who help disperse information by using the web. Read more about the efforts of the Net Posse. 

WISHES DO COME TRUE! MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!

Additional Quick Tips

1. Contact neighbors, local police, state police, sheriff, county sheriff's livestock deputy, state brand inspector, vet, farrier etc.. Stay in touch with law enforcement officials

2. Fax and post your fliers.

3. Call the media -local radio stations, television stations, newspapers , magazines, your horse club newsletter, your or newsletter, etc.

4. Contact slaughterhouses and auction yards.

5. Organize a group of family and friends to spread fliers, visit slaughterhouses, etc. Internet communities can be extremely helpful.

6. Contact your breed registry to let them know your horse is missing 

7. When visiting auction yards and slaughterhouses look in every horse trailer and holding pens. Look for trailers outside of the horse auction grounds. 

8. Search the web for help.

9. Many of the horse traders and auction employees we dealt with were found untrustworthy. Many go from sale to sale and work together in the buy/sell community. It is easy for someone to turn their head the other way. There are good people in the horse selling business. There were many who helped us. Just be careful. 

10. Make notes. KEEP A JOURNAL.

11. If you locate your horse, keep it in sight. Call local law enforcement agency. Keep 
    pictures, proof of purchase, Coggins papers, etc. with you at all times.
    

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