WNV Found in Washington State

WNV is now in Washington state:

West Nile virus has been found in a horse in Yakima County, the state
Department of Agriculture announced yesterday.
The discovery marked the first case this year in a horse that was infected in Washington state. Earlier this month, the virus was detected separately in mosquitoes and a magpie, both in
Yakima County.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002517062_westnile24m.html

Horse Theft Scam

I just received an email warning about a horse theft scam:

I'm posting this from a member of the upstate (SC) so that we can all be vigilant with our horses. If you have people who work for you at your farm, or family members, please make them aware to be very cautious. If they are approached, they should call 911 immediately. If anyone has any further information on this, please share it:

I just wanted to let you know about a scam going on in our tristate area. 2 people pull up to your farm and flash a piece of paper stating it is a court order and they are from the Humane Society and they are there to take their horses because they have not taken care of them properly. They pull up when they know the person in charge is not there and no one knows what is going on. They load up the horses and off they go. 30 horses have been stolen so far. They keep changing trucks and trailers so it is hard to catch them. Please let everyone know about this scam and beware!!!

Senate OKs Horse Slaughter Amendment

Horse slaughter may soon be stopped:

The U.S. Senate Sept. 20 voted 68-29 in favor of an amendment to bar
federal funds from being used to facilitate horse slaughter.
The House
approved a companion amendment, which also keeps American horses from being
shipped abroad for slaughter, on June 8. Now, the two will go to a conference
committee.


Source: http://news.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=30103