SHI ANNOUNCES COURT VICTORIES FOR VICTIMS IN MISSING HORSE CASES! --Together at last, together forever.

The Schoeffield’s first victory came when Sonny was temporarily awarded to them and returned. When Sonny vanished, she was in foal. Upon her return home, Sonny was underweight and her owners despaired over whether the foal could survive or not. In the meantime, the search and proceedings continued for the second mare, a dark bay part-Morgan, Shea.

When the Schoeffields found out that Shea had been sold at auction within a day of her disappearance, their hopes soared. At last they had a lead. As soon as SHI was notified that Shea had been sold at New Holland on January 2, a new Idaho Alert and flyer were issued and NetPosse volunteers began working the lead. Unfortunately, it didn’t come soon enough.

Before Shea could be tracked down, the court declared the Schoffields to be the legal owners of Sonny and Shea. And while there would be no more question of ownership, since Shea had not been recovered, they were allotted a monetary judgment for her. This made the victory bittersweet, but there was one more ray of sunshine to come ... on April 17, 2006, only three days before Rod’s announcement on the other side of the country, a healthy filly was born to Sonny. 

While Rod is awaiting Voyles’ sentencing and the outcome of the civil case, the Schoffields still hold out hope that someone will at least let them know where Shea is. Ms. Schoffield writes: “Now all we want to do is find Shea just to know she is okay. We don't want to buy her back but would be really happy to know she was in a safe home. We are not going to try to remove the horse or pursue action against anyone that has purchased her or who currently has her since the case was already resolved.”

The month of April was one of victories for horse owners who had been taken advantage of and had lost their horses. However, these people didn’t accept the situations and didn’t take justice into their own hands. By utilizing the court systems, justice prevailed. SHI was established to help the victims of criminal and civil theft recover their horses, but SHI and the NetPosse members are there no matter what the story or result.

Horse owners know that horse theft has been around longer than Stolen Horse International. It was a crime long before Idaho was stolen and recovered, long before Debi founded SHI and long before Rod and Ariel’s story.  Many think of horse theft as the criminal act of a stranger, but “civil” theft is growing rapidly through sales or lease agreements or simply unscrupulous people. Through Debi’s dedication and SHI’s voice in the horse community, horse owners are receiving education and awareness about the prevalence of horse theft that only Debi and SHI can bring them.

There are many stories on NetPosse that don’t yet have happy endings and many more that will come in 2006.  Support SHI and its victims by joining the NetPosse, or providing public education or seminars.  Metcalfe is available to write articles or give seminars tailored to your specific needs. You may also support SHI through your tax-deductible donation.

Angela Kirby – Stolen Horse International Public Relations 

For more information, contact: Debi Metcalfe
PO Box 1341, Shelby, NC 28151
704-484-2165, Cell: 704-472-4314

Email: idahonc@aol.com, stolenhorse@netposse.com
www.netposse.com

May 6, 2006: Rod Vilencia Case Finalized
A previous court awarded Rod Vilencia,  temporary custody (see links below) in September 2005 and Ariel, with two offspring, came home after 12 years!  We received a call from Rod Vilencia after his long awaited day in an Oregon criminal court Saturday; the horses are finally his!  He has his paperwork on the horses.  There will be more about this later once the actual court documents are received but in short the penalties for the felony conviction amounts to: working on a work crew 15 days, 18 months probation, repayment of money owed to the caregiver of the horses after they were taken, no contact with, about etc, Mr. Vilencia for the probation period.   A civil case against Ms. Voyles is still pending and set for trial in June 2006.

10/11/05 Missing Horse Returns Home 12 Years Later

Arial's Story - PowerPoint Presentation

Never Give Up - Owner Finds Much Missed Horse After 11 Years Sale Agreement Gone Bad

For more information on Stolen Horse International and its programs, visit the website at www.netposse.com.

Stolen Horse International is a Section 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are tax-deductible as charitable.