Follow Up Story

Seized Chicago Carriage Horses Find Temporary Home in Suburbs
by: Lisa Kemp
February 11 2009, Article # 13598
As found on http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=13598

Six Chicago horses belonging to J.C. Cutters Ltd. carriage company were seized on Friday, Feb. 6, amid conflicting reports on the reason for--and questions on the legality of--the action. The horses were taken to Flanery Farms, a private boarding stable in Maple Park, Ill.

"Animal Care and Control didn't have a court order to seize the horses," said Michele Goudie, J.C. Cutters Ltd. manager since 1997. "We've tried to comply with everything the city has asked us to do. It just never seems to be enough."

J.C. Cutters has reportedly received prior citations regarding animal care violations; calls to the City of Chicago Animal Care and Control office to confirm the number and nature of the citations, and to confirm the physical condition of the horses last Friday, were not returned.

One issue cited in media reports is J.C. Cutters' current stable, located at 1501 N. Magnolia on Chicago's Near Northwest side. Although some have described it as a tent, it is a wooden stall structure, covered by a white tarp.

According to Scott Waguespack, City Council member and alderman of the 32nd Ward, the temporary stable was never meant to be a permanent structure. "It was built in August, 2008, as temporary housing while they looked for a more permanent solution. The building they were using (previously) was cited through the city's Building Department because it had walls that were collapsing."

Although the future of the horses is uncertain, Flanery Farm owners Gerry and Franki Ellerbee report they're doing fine. The six horses are now receiving a minimum of eight hours of daily turnout, are housed in clean stalls at night, and are being fed a diet of grass hay and pelleted feed.

"They're running out in the pastures, and have already gone through 20 bales of hay," said Franki.