When I first reported the gruesome (see this) killing of Vogue Blue Chip while he was being transported to be raced at the Windsor Fair on Aug 31, I promised we were not done. Below is the full document we received on the incident from the Maine Dept. of Agriculture. I encourage you to read through it, especially the other eyewitness accounts. I have already contacted the Maine State Police, writing, among other things:
“The owner/trainer, Stanley Whittemore, received what amounts to a wristslap from the Commission: $1,000 fine, one-year suspension. I am respectfully asking your office to investigate this as animal cruelty under Title 7, Section 4011 of the Maine Cruelty-to-Animals statutes. What happened to this poor boy, just five, was not only unspeakably horrific and sad, but wholly preventable.”
I have since been notified that the request has been received and “forwarded to the appropriate agencies.” I will, of course, follow up.
This man, Stanley, if you can him a human, should never, ever be around or handle any kind of horses again! We have an old 1973 Hale trailer that we bought many years ago used. The 1st thing we did was replace the floor & make all electrical safe & usable before we hauled ANYTHING in it. That fine & penalty was not severe enough! He should be banned from any horse industry participation forever.
Thank you, Patrick and Nicole, for your efforts and perseverance to get this criminal punished as a criminal.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the excuse of having “dementia” is used. Anyone who does what Stanley Whittemore did to this horse should not be allowed to have horses or be left alone with a horse ever again no matter what excuse is used for his willful abuse, neglect, carelessness, absolute stupidity, horrific cruelty to a horse!!!!!