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Stolen Horse International, Inc.
PO Box 1341
Shelby, NC 28151
(704) 484-2165
stolenhorse@netposse.com
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Stolen Horse
International, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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
NetPosse.com: Together Again ~ The Smile Across
Kelly's Face Says It All
Shelby, N.C. - Feb. 14, 2007 - When Kelly Azzaro discovered that the person
she had entrusted the care of her horses to had not only skipped town, but
that he'd sold her horses and tack along the way, she was beside herself.
After Kelly and her husband, Marco, learned of the disappearance in
September, they did their own investigating. Eventually, Kelly turned to
NetPosse.com, the Web site for Stolen Horse International,
Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the recovering of
stolen and missing horses.
As
soon as Kelly filed a report to list Sandy and Taz on the site as stolen,
SHI's president and founder Debi Metcalfe and NetPosse volunteers did
what they do so well. Within a short time period, a Web page and flyer for
Sandy and Taz was created and an Idaho Alert (the horse community's Amber
Alert) was issued via the Internet.
When
the case went public, many wondered why Kelly and Marco had not seen their
horses in several months and didn't even know they were gone. In fact, the
barn owner had left the area in July. Kelly had no reason to distrust the
owner as she had boarded her horses with this person for six years without
incident. However, during that time, Kelly had to care for her dying mother,
but she continued to pay board and care for Sandy and Taz; never imagining
that the barn owner would vanish.
With
the help of Debi and NetPosse members, including a woman named Christy, the
search for the horses moved forward at an amazing speed. In less than four
weeks from the time she was posted on NetPosse.com, Sandy was tracked
to a farm in South Carolina. This is where Kelly met another victim - a
12-year-old boy whose grandfather had bought Sandy for him. The grandfather
was reluctant to return the mare, but this brave young man insisted that
Sandy be returned to her rightful owner.
By
Oct. 29, Sandy was back with Kelly. But that was only half the victory. Taz
was still missing. The barn owner was arrested on Oct. 14, but he and others
questioned were not being forthright. Over the next few months, the search
went west to Cookville, Tenn, and north to Wytheville, Va., and back to
Boone, N.C.
Then,
out of the blue on Feb. 13, Debi Metcalfe's phone rang really early. A lady, by the name of Ann,
in Hertford, N.C., was calling to say she thought she had Taz. A series of
calls, including an anonymous one, led her to NetPosse.com. A woman
of integrity, Ann had to know if she had someone else's horse. At
the same time, she felt the pain of losing her husband's horse just like
Kelly and Marco had experienced. The number of victims had risen and now
affected no less than three families.
Debi
spent the day talking to law enforcement, comparing pictures, and organizing
the facts … ultimately concluding that this was indeed Taz. Finally, hours
later, she called Kelly who sobbed her heart out. By 8 p.m., Debi and her
husband Harold were on their way across the state to pick up Taz on February
14 - not only Valentine's Day, but Kelly's birthday. What better present
could she ask for than to have her two horses reunited after six months of
endless searching?
 When Debi arrived with local authorities at Taz's location, the task of
removing the horse from people who had cared for and loved him since July
was incredibly difficult. For Debi, the moment
was bittersweet. While she was thrilled to be able to return Taz to Kelly,
she knew that Taz's current owners were unprepared for such an abrupt
separation. "This is breaking my heart. I
am taking a horse from a victim for the first time, not a thief. Perhaps I
can help [the owner] with the transition more so than having law enforcement
alone taking him."
As arranged, the Metcalfes hauled Taz to Charlotte, N.C., on Valentine's Day to
meet Kelly. When Taz stepped off the trailer, it was all she could do not to
just collapse from the immense worries that left her when she saw he was
safe. Kelly is so appreciative of all the Metcalfe's do to help victims. After yesterday's emotional journey, she emailed NetPosse member Angela Kirby to say, "Taz is safe and sound in an undisclosed location and we are all recovering from the intense, stressful yet ecstatic recovery trip ... a true Miracle has happened not once but twice. We are so grateful for everyones support, love and healing prayers."
 Kelly and Marco were also eager to state their appreciation for everyone else involved. Law enforcement, in particular Don
Moody, an investigator for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, were vital in this recovery. Kelly commends him by saying, "Don Moody is the greatest...!" She continues by thanking her friend, Lee, who "helped us on every level thru this entire ordeal, she is an amazing woman just like Debi!" Lee hauled Sandy from South Carolina after her recovery, and brought Kelly to meet the Metcalfes to take Taz the rest of the way home.
The worrying and not knowing is over for Kelly,
and on a day for love, one heart begins to heal
while others break. Even after parting with Taz, who she called Mose, Ann emailed Debi wanting to be sure that he arrived at Kelly's safely and that he suffered no ill effects from the long, cold trip. Saying goodbye was so hard for her, but Ann knows in her heart that she did the right thing. She would have wanted someone to make that phone call if it was her horse that had been stolen.
"On Valentine's day people show their love in many ways. Harold and I
saw love demonstrated by two women in extremely different ways. One heart
was broken while another rejoiced, both because of one horse. Love is not
always hearts and flowers.", says Debi Metcalfe about the Metcalfe's 800
mile day trip. "What a journey for us all. None of us will ever forget this
day."
A
story like this expounds upon the far-reaching affect horse theft has on
more than just the original victim. It is wide sweeping and the search is
costly for everyone involved. NetPosse's mission is not only recovery but
prevention. There are steps an owner can take to help protect themselves
from becoming a victim.
As
Debi Metcalfe is fond of saying, "Never underestimate the power of one!" It
only takes one person to forward an email, post a flyer or make a phone
call. Visit the site to learn more and to help the hundreds of horses listed
find their way home: www.netposse.com.
Angela Kirby - Stolen Horse International Public Relations
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 to it are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.
For photographs contact
stolenhorse@netposse.com with Taz Picture Request
in the subject line.For contact
information, to read about Sandy's recovery or to view the original report, click here: SANDY AND TAZ STOLEN IN NC!
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