Farmers rights at risk. Will you stand?

Once again, it is time to step up and take action.

Case of seized horses threatens rights [link]
Jackson Citizen Patriot | Sep. 20, 2008

SPRINGPORT — Jackson County Animal Control overstepped its bounds when it seized 69 horses at a Grass Lake farm more than a year ago. A judge agreed, but the county appealed.

We should show support for the farmers whose property was wrongfully taken and sold. Why? Because the dangerous precedent this case will set if the county prevails puts us all at risk.

To seize the farm, officials claimed the horses had no food or water, but submitted photos into evidence showing this was untrue. Experts testified most of the valuable herd was near ideal body condition.

Adequate food and shelter — per Michigan Department of Agriculture recommendations — was provided. The Right to Farm Act should have protected the owners from overzealous officers and an ignorant judge who wrongly allowed the county to auction the horses away for pennies per pound.

Testimony also indicates Jackson County failed to provide adequate care. A wounded filly, Ice, did not receive proper veterinary attention. Elvis, a young paint, was euthanized.

Judges this spring dismissed torture charges, found the forfeiture improper and ordered the owner reimbursed for the animals and lost income. Prosecutors waste taxpayer money by appealing those rulings.

Worse, radical groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are watching. A new ruling could adversely affect farmers by setting unfriendly case law and giving authorities overreaching power to seize property with little or no evidence.

With national attention focused on this appeal, state agriculture organizations must act to support the rights of Michigan farmers.

If you value your personal property rights, urge Michigan Farm Bureau to file an amicus brief in support of James Henderson and Matthew Mercier, owner and manager of Turn 3 Ranch. For more on this case, visit Turn3Justice.com.

— Shantell Coats

Keep it going.

I'm counting on fellow supporters to run with this. Contact your local Farm Bureau office with a copy of this letter, and any supporting information from this blog.

(Permission granted. Copy and disseminate freely.)

Join the Farm Bureau and make sure they know you are joining because of this case (always best to put it in writing) and that you expect their support of these Michigan farmers to ensure it doesn't happen to you or your neighbor next time.