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Press Release
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New Holland, PA- PA State Police, Troop J Lancaster investigated an incident of cruelty to animals at the New Holland Sales Stables on Monday, September 27, 1999. John H. Schuffler, Valdese, NC and Ernest S. Shaw, Troy, NC were cited under the PA Crimes Code for cruelty to animals and Agriculural violations. Both men transported disabled horses to the New Holland Sales Stables and offerered the horses for sale. Both horses were visibly disabled. Neither of the horses had the required health certificates or Coggins Test as required by PA law.
John H. Schuffler, Valdese, NC and Ernest S. Shaw, Troy, NC were taken before Magistrate Wilwerth and pled guilty to all charges, paying $300 each in fines, in addition to court costs.
Both horses were placed with a horse rescue organization in York County. An equine veterinarian examined both horses. Both horses were euthanised due to their disabling injuries.
In addition, 20 traffic citations and 30 warnings were issued for equipment related violations on Commercial vehicles.
On Monday April 5, 1999 in New Holland Boro, Pennsylvania State Troopers issued 10 citations for AG-Code violations along with 20 warnings for AG Code violations, including no Coggins Tests. In addition 21 traffic citations were issued and 29 warnings for Vehicle Code violations. Two vehicles were cited for being overweight.
The Pennsylvania State Police also served Arlow Kiehl, Watertown, NY with a warrant for his arrest inside the auction barn for failure to answer a non traffic citation issued by the Pennsylvania State Police.
Mr. Kiehl or his drivers have been previously convicted or pled guilty to the illegal transportation of horses in New York state on several occasions. Most recently a driver for Mr Kiehl, Carlton Simmons, was convicted after trial in Kirkwood, NY on 8 counts of the illegal transportation of horses and fined $800.00 by Judge Benjamin Weingartner. The horses were being transported from the auction in New Holland on the bottom deck of a double deck trailer. Hogs were on the top deck of the trailer, above the horses.
David Carper, a driver for his father, Frank Carper, Cranbury, NJ had his tractor trailer put out of service due to equipment violations. The Carpers are the same company, Frank Carper & Sons, that owes Essex County, NY $11,100 for their 1994 conviction for the illegal transportation of horses. The case was nicknamed the "Horse Popsicle Case" by the media after Assistant District Attorney, Debra Whitson now with the New York State Attorney General's Office, called the frost covered horses, "horse popsicles".
Recently, the PA Department of Agriculture issued both of these companies permits to transport domestic animals in Pennsylvania, regardless of the fact that their convictions in New York are grounds for denial of a permit in Pennsylvania.
Another Domestic Animal Hauler's vehicle was put out of service by the Pennsylvania State Police due to equipment violations.
The sale in New Holland averages 250 horses per week, brought from several states. Horses moved interstate are required by law to have Coggins Tests and health certificates. Dealers and haulers of domestic animals are required under the PA Domestic Animal Act to be licensed.
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