PLEASE CROSS POST
This is a Call for Action directed to any and all people who have feelings of respect, and love, and compassion for animals, and who care enough to help seek justice, and safety, for two horses who have suffered terribly at the hands of an alleged abuser.
The photos are graphic--but they are real. (Because the photos are so horrible, we are not including them IN this posting. If you wish to see them, and have a strong stomach, you can see them here: http://www.petsalive.com/leecruelty.htm - THEY ARE TRULY HIDEOUS - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!). They are documentation of just how much suffering was inflicted on these two innocent animals at the hands of the person responsible for their care. Look at them, and please: stand up for justice. Stand up with us to protect the future of these animals. Stand up with us to send the message, loud and clear, that animal abuse in New York State will not be tolerated, and will be punished, with a vengeance.
Stand up for Suzi, who has hurt so much, for so long. Join forces with others who care. Be her voice. Tell her story. Defend her right to live without pain and suffering. Send the message, loud and clear, that there are people who will fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, with voices, with letters, with phone calls, with faxes, with their hearts and minds, with their outrage--outrage that animal cruelty is not viewed as an accountable crime, that people can do such things, and simply--walk away: walk away with the very animal they tortured beside them, his/her heart hammering with fear and despair as people do nothing more than shake their heads and turn away.
Look at Suzi and consider just what it is this sweet horse has endured at the hands of the person entrusted to care for her. Should the person who caused this go unpunished? One count of misdemeanor cruelty is the charge, when Suzi's pain went on for days, and months, and is still going on. Suzi is still receiving daily visits from the vet. Should this person be allowed to receive Suzi back again? That is Keum H. Lee's plan: she has refused to surrender ownership of these horses. Should the fact that she starved Suzi's companion be dismissed, as if that suffering did not occur, was not worthy of mention in the charges against this person?
The Defendant: Keum H. Lee, female, age 58, occupation: physicist
The Story: http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090428/NEWS/904280324
On the night of Thursday, April 16th, near midnight, a call reporting a horse loose on a Wallkill road came in to the police station. The attending police officer reported "it smells like the horse's face is rotting off"--which indeed, was exactly the case. On Friday, April 17th, Animal Control and an equine vet went to the property of the horses' caregiver, Keum H. Lee, to investigate.
Suzi, described as a palomino mare, was declared to be approximately 600 pounds underweight, and suffering from extreme untended facial wounds, and infection. Her companion was found to be approximately 200 pounds underweight. Under the direction of the investigating veterinarian, the horses were immediately transported to a local equine rescue organization for proper care and rehabilitation. Everyone's heart went out to these two survivors--and yet, they are hardly now in a situation that can be called safe.
The Case
Although reportedly charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, Keum H. Lee is now charged with only one count. This, despite the obvious, documentable, and agonizing suffering and starvation imposed on one animal in her care, and the obvious neglect and starvation of another animal in her care. Keum H. Lee has yet to pay one vet bill. She has refused to surrender her right to care for these animals. She is, in fact, pleading Not Guilty to the single charge against her--despite overwhelming evidence against her.
The Abuse:
Removal of Suzi's halter revealed wounds filled with maggots. Because a salivary duct on the right side of her face was crushed during the ongoing ordeal, and the condition was not treated, she leaks saliva through her jawbone. After a six hour operation, Suzi is reported as not recovering well.
Prior to Suzi escaping to the road--an act that likely saved her life--numerous reports had been filed regarding abusive conditions for animals at Keum H. Lee's address. No action was taken by authorities until Suzi was reported loose in the road--at which time, action was taken because the situation was a public safety one.
What Is Going To Happen?
If no one cares, and no one acts, this is what will happen: Keum H. Lee will be found Guilty, or found Not Guilty, of misdemeanor animal abuse. If found Guilty, she will pay a small fine. The horses will be returned to her--despite the statement of the examining equine veterinarian and the observations of the clinic veterinarians that these horses suffered, were starved, were abused--despite the documented agonies she has already inflicted on these animals: the horses will be returned to Keum H. Lee.
The Alternative: Express Your Outrage!
You can make a difference. Person by person. Caring heart by caring heart, we can make a difference in the lives of these two horses.
- Call, write, and fax the following people and politely and intelligently DEMAND:
- that the correct felony charges be brought against Keum H. Lee for her willful extreme neglect and abuse;
- that Keum H. Lee be charged on separate counts for the abuse inflicted on two different animals;
- that Keum H. Lee NOT be allowed to receive these animals back under any circumstances;
- that Keum H. Lee be required to pay for all related veterinary care provided;
- that Keum H. Lee be refused the right to care for any animals as long as she lives in the state of New York .
- Please forward the story of Suzi and her companion, and how they have suffered and are suffering still, to everyone you know, and ask them to stand up with you in support of helping these two horses to a life of health and safety.
Who to Contact: Express Your Outrage!
Francis D. Phillips, District Attorney
255 Main Street
Goshen , NY 10924
Phone: (845) 291-2050
Fax: (845) 291-2085
fphillips@co.orange.ny.us
Andy Kass, Esq.
c/o Orange County District Attorney's Office
18 Seward Avenue
Middletown , NY 10940
Phone: 845-615-3640
Fax: (845) 346-1189
Tanya Beamer, Esq.
c/o Orange County District Attorney's Office
18 Seward Avenue
Middletown , NY 10940
Phone: 845-615-3640
Fax: (845) 346-1189
Thank you for caring,
WE ARE ALSO ASKING PEOPLE TO SHOW UP OUTSIDE THE COURT (WITH SIGNS IF POSSIBLE) TO SHOW THE JUDGES AND LEE HOW WE FEEL. MAKE SIGNS THAT SAY THINGS LIKE "WE WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS IN OUR COMMUNITY" OR "LEE DESERVES JAIL TIME FOR HER CRUELTY" OR "NO BREAKS OR PLEA DEALS FOR ABUSERS" - OR THINK OF YOUR OWN VERBIAGE...BUT SHOW UP! BE THERE ON JUNE 24TH AT 11 AM. Wallkill Township building, 99 Tower Drive, Middletown, NY.
This comment was made by her caretaker:
"I just came in for the night and before leaving I say goodnight to each one....when I reached her stall I saw her struggling to chew her hay, the pain in her jaw is so obvious, I soak her feed (25 pounds a day) but we have decided, the vet & I, that she has to continue to chew or else the arthritis caused by this will weaken her ability to eat in the future...she's trying so hard........if adding my name and the org name and contact info adds any weight or credence....please do so. I'm angry at this woman. I'm sad for this kind soul who is suffering. Thank you for sending this out to people. Sending up a prayer that it helps and that she will not suffer forever.....thanks."
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