We've been swarmed with e-mails from our very devoted readers about what will happen to J.C. Cutters horses now that they've been confiscated.
It's quite simple really, they'll be adopted to forever homes. Homes where they'll always be respected and treated kindly. There will be many court proceedings in the next few months with the most recent being on March 12th. One reader brought up a very valid concern. "If the company didn't have money to keep the horses in a wholesome manner then, what makes anyone think that they'll be able to provide for them if they get them back?" Don't worry reader, we're sure the city has thought about that long and hard. CACC has built a solid case against Cutters and will defend their decision to remove the animals from their care. Something tell us that the prosecution will have plenty of knowledge when they walk in to court on March 12th.
Showing posts with label peta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peta. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
J.C. Cutters UPDATES
Various news stories with video.
http://www.wgntv.com/evening_news
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6644997
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/carriage.horse.rescue.2.928664.html
Horses Caught in Carriage Companies' Crunch as posted at http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/horse-carriage-.html#2bfnHY6261BsUZkWnkB
Chicago police crews converged on a property in the West Town neighborhood on Friday as part of an investigation into the alleged neglect of several horses by a carriage operator.
The investigation focuses on five to seven horses found in a vacant field inside a tent at 1501 N. Magnolia Ave., according to police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak.
The tent had a tarp over it that likely offered little protection in the brutal cold, CBS2chicago.com reported.
The stable is operated by J.C. Cutter, which told NBC Chicago in October, "We love our work and our horses. The horses are thoroughly examined every three months by a veterinarian."
She did not know what time the horses were discovered, but said police and representatives of three animal protection agencies were at the scene late Friday morning.
Rescue crews had to get through a gate that was chained shut and blocking access, according to CBS2 Chicago.
.
http://www.wgntv.com/evening_news
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6644997
http://cbs2chicago.com/local/carriage.horse.rescue.2.928664.html
Horses Caught in Carriage Companies' Crunch as posted at http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/horse-carriage-.html#2bfnHY6261BsUZkWnkB
Chicago police crews converged on a property in the West Town neighborhood on Friday as part of an investigation into the alleged neglect of several horses by a carriage operator.
The investigation focuses on five to seven horses found in a vacant field inside a tent at 1501 N. Magnolia Ave., according to police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak.
The tent had a tarp over it that likely offered little protection in the brutal cold, CBS2chicago.com reported.
The stable is operated by J.C. Cutter, which told NBC Chicago in October, "We love our work and our horses. The horses are thoroughly examined every three months by a veterinarian."
She did not know what time the horses were discovered, but said police and representatives of three animal protection agencies were at the scene late Friday morning.
Rescue crews had to get through a gate that was chained shut and blocking access, according to CBS2 Chicago.
.
J.C. Cutters horses REMOVED BY AUTHORITIES!
It has been confirmed by a media outlet that authorities have confiscated all the horses from 1501 N. Magnolia. The horses are owned by J.C. Cutters and were seen being loaded on a very large "horse moving van."
There will be stories on every station in Chicago tonight and in every major news paper too.
***More news as it becomes available***
xoxo
E.T.
There will be stories on every station in Chicago tonight and in every major news paper too.
***More news as it becomes available***
xoxo
E.T.
A Story by Sara Olkon of Chicago Tribune
Interesting that this story came up the SAME day as J.C. Cutters is accused of starving their horses. Not looking good for the Chicago carriage industry.
Horse-drawn carriage firms say business is suffering
They blame Chicago regulations, cold as some companies go out of business
By Sara Olkon Tribune reporter
February 6, 2009
Dan Sampson says he and some competitors want the city to change how it deals with horse-drawn carriages.
Tate the carriage horse now spends his days eating hay inside a small, quiet lot in Old Town.Until recently, the rugged draft horse was accustomed to a life of far more majesty and bustle. The 11-year-old Percheron was one of the regular carriage horses stationed on North Michigan Avenue, and he performed in equine shows in Old Town. But Tate has been out of work since last month, when his bosses at Noble Horse Carriages ceased operations."We are essentially closed," said Dan Sampson, the owner of Noble Horse Theatre. Until last month, Noble Horse staged equine performances inside its riding hall and ran carriage rides in downtown Chicago.Sampson blames the city—specifically the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection—for the way it has handled the carriage-staging rules since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. At that time, the city shuttered two prime locations on Michigan Avenue: at Pearson Street and Superior Street.
With those spots gone, the remaining five carriage businesses had to compete for three spots on Michigan Avenue. Without an "assigned parking" system on Magnificent Mile to distinguish the different companies, he and his competitors have had to scramble for locations, he said. Because of that, they have lost repeat customers and visibility, he said, adding that assigned spots are safer for horses because the animals crave familiarity.Norma Reyes, the commissioner of consumer services, said through her spokeswoman that the department responded to the industry by holding a lottery last season that designated permanent spots for the horse-drawn carriages.But the lottery was rejected by the carriage operators, city officials and the operators said."They weren't pleased with the results," said Efrat Stein, spokeswoman for the department.Sampson called the lottery a "preposterous" system that scattered the horse staging spots at "random spots that have no tourist value," including Buckingham Fountain and the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. He said people have come to expect the carriages on the Magnificent Mile.Stein said the department will review the parking issue for the next carriage season, which begins in the spring."Moving forward, we will need to assess the needs of the industry again and determine the best way to address this issue," she said.Sampson, a third-generation livery man, is calling for changes in the system as is at least one competitor.Antique Coach & Carriage has been conducting carriage rides downtown for 24 years, said Debbie Hay, Antique's owner. The current system makes it difficult for her to attract business, she said."I have to worry about establishing it as a place people know where to come," she said.The other carriage companies could not be reached for comment. One of them, JC Cutters, did not have its city license renewed this year after city inspectors found, among other problems, that the stables were not up to code, Stein said. JC Cutters is appealing the decision.To be sure, the staging areas aren't the only thing hurting carriage rides.The rides aren't cheap—generally about $70 an hour. And animal rights activists have long been hostile to horse carriage rides; some critics say forcing horses to work is inherently inhumane.Operators said business has been down in recent months, compared to the same period in past years. Hay blames the staging rules, the economy and the harsher than normal winter weather. City rules prohibit the horses from working if it's 15 degrees or colder, or if the roads are hazardous because of ice or snow. In summer, horses aren't allow to work if it's 90 degrees or hotter.Sampson said the damage wrought by the city's staging system has been fatal for his business. With $2 million in revenue lost from falling carriage ride sales over the last six years, Sampson said he can no longer keep either the carriage rides or the theater running. He stopped the carriage rides Jan. 1. Ten days later, he staged the last equine show.Tate the carriage horse, meanwhile, spends his days doing little more than eating and hanging out—something that saddens Sampson."If they can't go out and work, they get frustrated," he said.
Horse-drawn carriage firms say business is suffering
They blame Chicago regulations, cold as some companies go out of business
By Sara Olkon Tribune reporter
February 6, 2009
Dan Sampson says he and some competitors want the city to change how it deals with horse-drawn carriages.
Tate the carriage horse now spends his days eating hay inside a small, quiet lot in Old Town.Until recently, the rugged draft horse was accustomed to a life of far more majesty and bustle. The 11-year-old Percheron was one of the regular carriage horses stationed on North Michigan Avenue, and he performed in equine shows in Old Town. But Tate has been out of work since last month, when his bosses at Noble Horse Carriages ceased operations."We are essentially closed," said Dan Sampson, the owner of Noble Horse Theatre. Until last month, Noble Horse staged equine performances inside its riding hall and ran carriage rides in downtown Chicago.Sampson blames the city—specifically the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection—for the way it has handled the carriage-staging rules since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. At that time, the city shuttered two prime locations on Michigan Avenue: at Pearson Street and Superior Street.
With those spots gone, the remaining five carriage businesses had to compete for three spots on Michigan Avenue. Without an "assigned parking" system on Magnificent Mile to distinguish the different companies, he and his competitors have had to scramble for locations, he said. Because of that, they have lost repeat customers and visibility, he said, adding that assigned spots are safer for horses because the animals crave familiarity.Norma Reyes, the commissioner of consumer services, said through her spokeswoman that the department responded to the industry by holding a lottery last season that designated permanent spots for the horse-drawn carriages.But the lottery was rejected by the carriage operators, city officials and the operators said."They weren't pleased with the results," said Efrat Stein, spokeswoman for the department.Sampson called the lottery a "preposterous" system that scattered the horse staging spots at "random spots that have no tourist value," including Buckingham Fountain and the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. He said people have come to expect the carriages on the Magnificent Mile.Stein said the department will review the parking issue for the next carriage season, which begins in the spring."Moving forward, we will need to assess the needs of the industry again and determine the best way to address this issue," she said.Sampson, a third-generation livery man, is calling for changes in the system as is at least one competitor.Antique Coach & Carriage has been conducting carriage rides downtown for 24 years, said Debbie Hay, Antique's owner. The current system makes it difficult for her to attract business, she said."I have to worry about establishing it as a place people know where to come," she said.The other carriage companies could not be reached for comment. One of them, JC Cutters, did not have its city license renewed this year after city inspectors found, among other problems, that the stables were not up to code, Stein said. JC Cutters is appealing the decision.To be sure, the staging areas aren't the only thing hurting carriage rides.The rides aren't cheap—generally about $70 an hour. And animal rights activists have long been hostile to horse carriage rides; some critics say forcing horses to work is inherently inhumane.Operators said business has been down in recent months, compared to the same period in past years. Hay blames the staging rules, the economy and the harsher than normal winter weather. City rules prohibit the horses from working if it's 15 degrees or colder, or if the roads are hazardous because of ice or snow. In summer, horses aren't allow to work if it's 90 degrees or hotter.Sampson said the damage wrought by the city's staging system has been fatal for his business. With $2 million in revenue lost from falling carriage ride sales over the last six years, Sampson said he can no longer keep either the carriage rides or the theater running. He stopped the carriage rides Jan. 1. Ten days later, he staged the last equine show.Tate the carriage horse, meanwhile, spends his days doing little more than eating and hanging out—something that saddens Sampson."If they can't go out and work, they get frustrated," he said.
BREAKING NEWS BY WGN: 6 STARVED CARRIAGE HORSES FOUND
BREAKING NEWS. HAS SOMEONE FINALLY HEARD OUR PLEA???!!!!! ARE THE HORSES OF J.C. CUTTERS FINALLY SAVED? WE THINK SO. FOUND AT http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/02/up-to-7-horse-found-in-lincoln-park-field.html
6 starved carriage horses found
February 6, 2009 10:47 AM No Comments
A carriage operator neglected up to a half-dozen horses in West Town, Chicago police said this morning.
The horses are malnourished and were left in a vacant field in a tent, police said.
They could not provide further details of the incident, but said the horses were in the 1500 block of North Magnolia Avenue this morning.
--Beshanda Spencer
6 starved carriage horses found
February 6, 2009 10:47 AM No Comments
A carriage operator neglected up to a half-dozen horses in West Town, Chicago police said this morning.
The horses are malnourished and were left in a vacant field in a tent, police said.
They could not provide further details of the incident, but said the horses were in the 1500 block of North Magnolia Avenue this morning.
--Beshanda Spencer
Monday, January 12, 2009
Blizzard Warning in effect for Chicago! Cops promise to ticket!
Chicago is under a BLIZZARD WARNING! We're excited to play in the snow! What we are not excited about is the thought of Chicago's carriage horses working in the extreme temperatures and on slick Chicago streets.
Being the caring and concerned folks that we are, we have put in a few calls and sent a few e-mails to various city departments. They assure us that they will be ticketing any and all carriages who attempt to work a carriage horse in temperatures that are to cold or snow. Car travel is a pain in a blizzard, throw a carriage into the mix and there is potential for terrible accidents!
Special thanks to all those in a position of power who actually care about the horses! We wish some of the owners would give their horses the same regard.
Being the caring and concerned folks that we are, we have put in a few calls and sent a few e-mails to various city departments. They assure us that they will be ticketing any and all carriages who attempt to work a carriage horse in temperatures that are to cold or snow. Car travel is a pain in a blizzard, throw a carriage into the mix and there is potential for terrible accidents!
Special thanks to all those in a position of power who actually care about the horses! We wish some of the owners would give their horses the same regard.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Noble Horse carriage horse escapes (April 2008)
Yet another reason it's just not safe to have horses in the city. Lucky for owner, Dan Sampson AND the horse that she didn't get to North Avenue or Division Street. This isn't the first time horses have escaped from the Old Town stable.
Here's a video from ABC 7 here in Chicago
Here's a video from ABC 7 here in Chicago
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Community Media Workshop article by Curtis Black
This Newstip edited by Curtis BlackContact: 312-344-7783 fax 312-344-6404 curtis@newstips.org
Carriage Companies Challenged Newstip Date: 12-17-2008
Animal rights activists shut down horse carriage traffic on Michigan Avenue last Friday -- the first time a city ordinance banning carriage operations when temperatures drop below 15 degrees has been enforced, they say -- and the city is responding to complaints by shutting down one horse carriage company as of January 1.
A network of animal rights activists from a number of groups, gathered around the open web forum Ban The Carriage, has been holding weekly protests at North Michigan Avenue carriage stands since December 6, calling for a complete ban on the industry. This month regular protests are being held on Saturdays starting at noon; unannounced protests are being held at other times, said activist Marcos Alcozer.
Last Friday temperatures reached 13 degrees and protesters called police repeatedly, Alcozer said. When they arrived they were unfamiliar with the ordinance, "but they verified it and checked the weather conditions and ordered the carriages to go home," he said.
The following Monday, with more frigid temperatures, activists emailed police and the Department of Consumer Services, and when they checked that evening, a Consumer Services inspector was on site to enforce the ordinance, Alcozer said.
Meanwhile, Kerri Stojack of Ald. Scott Waguespack's 32nd Ward office said the Department of Consumer Services is not renewing the business license of JC Cutters Ltd, one of four carriage companies with stands on North Michigan.
The company houses its horses in an unpermitted tent on the Chicago River which lacks electricity and running water, and it has racked up numerous complaints from the city's Animal Care and Control Commission for inadequate shelter and unsanitary conditions, with horse's hay mixed with manure and urine. It was the subject of a WMAQ-TV investigation in October (video).
"It's a big victory," said Alcozer, "but it was an easy target."
His group maintains that the horse carriage industry is inhumane, exposing horses to exhaustion, oversized loads, extreme temperatures, and leg and hoof ailments, as well as the dangers of city traffic. And the city doesn't have the resources to ensure that horses are well kept and not overworked.
"We've met a lot of police officers in the 18th District, and they're all great guys, but they have a lot on their hands," Alcozer said. "Hopefully we can take this off their plate."
The protesters also talk with prospective carriage customers, and many end up deciding not to hire a carriage and sign a petition to ban the industry, he said."It's impossible to make horse-drawn carriages humane," Alcozer said. "The only solution is a permanent ban." Until that's in place, he said, protesters intend to be out there.
More Info:
Marcos Alcozar at Ban The Carriage, 312-218-7834
Karri Stojack at 32nd Ward Office, 773-248-1330
Carriage Companies Challenged Newstip Date: 12-17-2008
Animal rights activists shut down horse carriage traffic on Michigan Avenue last Friday -- the first time a city ordinance banning carriage operations when temperatures drop below 15 degrees has been enforced, they say -- and the city is responding to complaints by shutting down one horse carriage company as of January 1.
A network of animal rights activists from a number of groups, gathered around the open web forum Ban The Carriage, has been holding weekly protests at North Michigan Avenue carriage stands since December 6, calling for a complete ban on the industry. This month regular protests are being held on Saturdays starting at noon; unannounced protests are being held at other times, said activist Marcos Alcozer.
Last Friday temperatures reached 13 degrees and protesters called police repeatedly, Alcozer said. When they arrived they were unfamiliar with the ordinance, "but they verified it and checked the weather conditions and ordered the carriages to go home," he said.
The following Monday, with more frigid temperatures, activists emailed police and the Department of Consumer Services, and when they checked that evening, a Consumer Services inspector was on site to enforce the ordinance, Alcozer said.
Meanwhile, Kerri Stojack of Ald. Scott Waguespack's 32nd Ward office said the Department of Consumer Services is not renewing the business license of JC Cutters Ltd, one of four carriage companies with stands on North Michigan.
The company houses its horses in an unpermitted tent on the Chicago River which lacks electricity and running water, and it has racked up numerous complaints from the city's Animal Care and Control Commission for inadequate shelter and unsanitary conditions, with horse's hay mixed with manure and urine. It was the subject of a WMAQ-TV investigation in October (video).
"It's a big victory," said Alcozer, "but it was an easy target."
His group maintains that the horse carriage industry is inhumane, exposing horses to exhaustion, oversized loads, extreme temperatures, and leg and hoof ailments, as well as the dangers of city traffic. And the city doesn't have the resources to ensure that horses are well kept and not overworked.
"We've met a lot of police officers in the 18th District, and they're all great guys, but they have a lot on their hands," Alcozer said. "Hopefully we can take this off their plate."
The protesters also talk with prospective carriage customers, and many end up deciding not to hire a carriage and sign a petition to ban the industry, he said."It's impossible to make horse-drawn carriages humane," Alcozer said. "The only solution is a permanent ban." Until that's in place, he said, protesters intend to be out there.
More Info:
Marcos Alcozar at Ban The Carriage, 312-218-7834
Karri Stojack at 32nd Ward Office, 773-248-1330
Monday, December 15, 2008
Letter from Alderman of Ward 32
We at Exposed Truths were happy to do our part to write the alderman's office today as part of the week long call in/write in. This is the response we received.
Thank you for your email. We appreciate your concern for the horses at
JC Cutters. We have heard word from the Dept. of Consumer Services that
they are not renewing JC Cutters business license for next year. We
also will not be signing the permit for the permanent tent. Technically
speaking, they do not have to have the Alderman’s signature, but we
have contacted the Building Department to let them that we disapprove,
as well as to tell them that the license is not being renewed, in hope
that this will have an impact.
Thank you for your email. We appreciate your concern for the horses at
JC Cutters. We have heard word from the Dept. of Consumer Services that
they are not renewing JC Cutters business license for next year. We
also will not be signing the permit for the permanent tent. Technically
speaking, they do not have to have the Alderman’s signature, but we
have contacted the Building Department to let them that we disapprove,
as well as to tell them that the license is not being renewed, in hope
that this will have an impact.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Dec 15 - 19th: Week long call in for the horses! Say, "NO" to J.C. Cutters tent!
JC Cutters currently has an application pending to obtain a permit for the tent they already have built in the 32nd Ward. They are already housing their horses in this tent even though they do not have a permit to do so. The tent also has no running water and no electricity. This tent is illegal in every way according to the rules set forth by Consumer Services! They have clear guidelines for how carraige horses should be kept and THIS TENT IS NOT IT!
The application has not gone through yet because it is waiting for the Alderman of that ward to approve it and he has not decided whether he will deny or approve their application.
We are organizing a call in and email campaign to tell the 32nd ward alderman Scott Waguespack to deny JC Cutters application for a permit to house their horses in the structure they currently have set up. The horses should not be kept in these horrible conditions!
Please take some time this week to call in and email.
The 32nd Ward's Alderman is Scott Waguespack
His phone number is 773-248-1330
His email address is ward32@cityofchicago.org
Office location is: 2657 N. Clybourn, 60614
Here is a picture that was taken Sunday Morning (12-14-08) of the current conditions.
Thank you ahead of time!!
xoxo
Exposed Truths
The application has not gone through yet because it is waiting for the Alderman of that ward to approve it and he has not decided whether he will deny or approve their application.
We are organizing a call in and email campaign to tell the 32nd ward alderman Scott Waguespack to deny JC Cutters application for a permit to house their horses in the structure they currently have set up. The horses should not be kept in these horrible conditions!
Please take some time this week to call in and email.
The 32nd Ward's Alderman is Scott Waguespack
His phone number is 773-248-1330
His email address is ward32@cityofchicago.org
Office location is: 2657 N. Clybourn, 60614
Here is a picture that was taken Sunday Morning (12-14-08) of the current conditions.
Thank you ahead of time!!
xoxo
Exposed Truths
Friday, December 12, 2008
Basic needs? Hay, check! Water, check! Turn out! check Heated barn, no thanks!
Here is an e-mail we received from an upscale stable here in Illinois when asked about horses and heated barns. They lawyer from J.C. Cutters will try to make everyone believe that we want heat for these animals, which is NOT true. What we want is to see them living in conditions that are consistent with traditional equine husbandry practices. Tents are fine for horse shows because they're TEMPORARY. 15 years, however, is 16 years too long.
We do not have heat in our barn other than the tack room and feed room. Horses are unlike people and do not have to be kept as warm as we would like to think they need to be. If horses are provided with proper feed - hay especially, they will maintain a good body temp. with their coats. And of course, they need shelter to get out of the wind and cold rain. There have been many articles written in regards to horses being healthier when allowed full turnout - not only for their lungs and bones, but mentally.
In regards to heating a barn - it is ok if an indoor arena is heated to just above freezing not only for the comfort of the riders, but for a horse in full training or working hard, the temp. should be above freezing for their lungs. Other than that horses should not live in a heated barn as when they go outside it is too much of a change for them. This change as well as the humidity of living in a heated barn creates lung problems and illness.
.
We do not have heat in our barn other than the tack room and feed room. Horses are unlike people and do not have to be kept as warm as we would like to think they need to be. If horses are provided with proper feed - hay especially, they will maintain a good body temp. with their coats. And of course, they need shelter to get out of the wind and cold rain. There have been many articles written in regards to horses being healthier when allowed full turnout - not only for their lungs and bones, but mentally.
In regards to heating a barn - it is ok if an indoor arena is heated to just above freezing not only for the comfort of the riders, but for a horse in full training or working hard, the temp. should be above freezing for their lungs. Other than that horses should not live in a heated barn as when they go outside it is too much of a change for them. This change as well as the humidity of living in a heated barn creates lung problems and illness.
.
Monday, December 1, 2008
"HOLD YOUR HORSES!"
Maybe the city needs to make/enforce another rule that should go without saying. "Driver must always be within arm's length of the horse's reins or have a lead rope attached to the horse's bridle." Had that rule been created, a driver from J.C. Cutters would not have a broken collar bone today! Big Kahuna reports:
NEWS ALERT!!! (18th police district)
On Thanksgiving Day, a horse(Arthur) bolted from J.C. Cutter's carriage stand. Witnesses reported the horse was left unattended by the driver and it ran off. Fortunately, the horse did not suffer any injuries when captured a few blocks away. The driver of the carriage was not as lucky as he suffered a broken collar bone while attempting to rein in the horse from the ground as it was running off. The owner of the horse (Betty) declined to comment.
We certainly wish a speedy recovery to the driver.
This gives a whole new meaning to "Hold your horses!"
NEWS ALERT!!! (18th police district)
On Thanksgiving Day, a horse(Arthur) bolted from J.C. Cutter's carriage stand. Witnesses reported the horse was left unattended by the driver and it ran off. Fortunately, the horse did not suffer any injuries when captured a few blocks away. The driver of the carriage was not as lucky as he suffered a broken collar bone while attempting to rein in the horse from the ground as it was running off. The owner of the horse (Betty) declined to comment.
We certainly wish a speedy recovery to the driver.
This gives a whole new meaning to "Hold your horses!"
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
"Unstable Situation"
Here's the story that was on NBC 5 Chicago last night, October 6, 2008. We'll be updating everyone later tonight or tomorrow on the animal abuse case that they were in court for today.
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