Neglect/Abuse Investigation Policy

Policy Number 34

Effective: July 15, 2007 Version 2.0
Policy

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, Inc.’s (BEHS) policy is take reports of abuse and/or neglect and investigate those reports.

Procedure

Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society, Inc. (BEHS) will take reports of abuse and/or neglect:

  • Over the phone
  • Through email
  • Via the BEHS website
  • In person at events

The recipient of any abuse or neglect report should forward complete information including the location of the animals, condition of animals, approximate number of animals and other relevant information to the Neglect Committee Chairperson.

When the Neglect Committee Chairperson receives the Abuse/Neglect Report Form, he/she shall:

  • Log all information into the Neglect Report Database
  • Assign a volunteer investigator, forward to another agency that covers the area or call local law enforcement to request their assistance

The Investigator will drive to the location of the horses to visually assess the condition of the equines from the road or from a neighbor’s property with that property owner’s permission.  At no time will the Investigator trespass.  If possible, the Investigator will photograph the equines and the equines’ living conditions.    The Investigator will complete a Neglect/Abuse Investigation Report Form.

The Investigator shall forward the Neglect/Abuse Investigations Report Form to the Neglect Investigations Committee Chairperson within twenty-four (24) hours of conducting the investigation.  The Neglect Investigations Committee Chairperson will determine if the equines are neglected, if they are in a borderline condition, or if they are in an acceptable condition.

If it is determined that the equines are not neglected, the neglect case status shall be changed to “closed” and recorded as such in the Neglect Report Database

If it is determined that the equines are in a borderline condition, the investigator will make arrangements to conduct another investigation in approximately one month.

If it is determined that the equines are neglected or abused, the Neglect Committee Chairperson or a volunteer he/she assigns shall contact local law enforcement in accordance with the Seizure Policy.