Missing Horse Returns Home 12 Years Later

Missing Horse Returns Home 12 Years Later

17 October 2011

Stolen Horse International

PRESS RELEASE

For more information, contact: Debi Metcalfe
PO Box 1341, Shelby, NC 28151
704-484-2165
Email: stolenhorse@netposse.com
Website: www.NetPosse.com

Missing Horse Returns Home 12 Years Later

October 11, 2005 - Riverside, California - In June 1993, When Rod Vilencia reluctantly decided to sell his beloved horse, Ariel, a buckskin breeding stock paint mare, he never had any idea what the ensuing decade would hold. The person who was supposed to purchase his horse from him failed to pay for her, and for 11 years, Rod searched relentlessly for his mare. He had no real leads until he happened upon the buyer one day while doing a spontaneous Internet search on Google. Much to his surprise, there was Ariel listed on a website as a broodmare at this person’s new farm in Oregon. For so many years, Rod had hoped that Ariel had not met a horrible fate, and he hoped that he could one day bring her home.

Well, that day is finally here! This Friday, October 14, 2005, Ariel will be arriving home!

Could it get any better? Yes, it can! Making the long ride back to California from Oregon with Ariel will be two of her foals!

This day was a long time coming for Rod, but he is quick to thank those that have supported him throughout the years, as well as his newfound friends. One of whom is horse theft expert, Debi Metcalfe, founder of Stolen Horse International, Inc.

Although Rod's experience began well before Debi's horse Idaho was stolen in 1997, Debi has been able to give Rod invaluable guidance throughout the recovery process.

After waiting an entire year, Ariel and her offspring are coming home. Rod immediately notified his friends and network of supporters, “On Wednesday, September 21, 2005, twelve years and nearly one month after this saga began, [the Assistant District Attorney] was able to get the court to agree to an order giving me temporary custody of my horses and so I am happy to report that ARIEL AND HER FOALS ARE COMING HOME! It is almost hard to believe that I can finally say those words," Says Mr. Vilencia. Unfortunately, this was not a simple case, especially after so many years had gone by, so Rod's story doesn't end once the horses arrive home. There are still legal proceedings to finalize.

Rod went on to commend Debi's daily dedication and understanding of all that he's endured: "Debi Metcalfe of Stolen Horse International ... is a Hero every day to people like me, and she has given up her whole life to help people like me, get a stolen horse back."

Now that Rod has learned more about the devastation horse theft causes, he has vowed to do whatever he can to help other victims like himself and to promote Stolen Horse International (SHI). As he says, "Emotionally it has been the toughest challenge that I have ever faced, and I have done my best to stand tall and fight for what I believe in and for justice for myself, and my stolen mare."

Although Debi cannot be there for Ariel's homecoming, Rod welcomes all media that would like to share in this occasion.

Every day, horses are stolen through criminal and civil actions, but still so few horse owners are aware of the frequency and seriousness of the problem or how to protect their own horses from theft. This is an opportunity to utilize the media's influence on the public to bring awareness of horse theft to the forefront of the news!

Bringing Ariel and her foals home is the first step toward that commitment, which may begin sooner than he realizes.

As this Press Release is being distributed, many more pleas are being sent out across the Internet ... another breeding stock paint mare has been stolen from Riverside County. Is this just a coincidence? or something more?

Rod Vilencia and SHI ask that you celebrate Ariel's Homecoming while educating the public about horse theft. Contact Rod Vilencia: rodvilencia@aol.com For more information about Rod Vilencia’s case visit: http://netposse.com/stolenmissing/stolenmissingimg/stolenarialCA.htm

Angela Kirby-- Stolen Horse International -- Public Relations
For more information on Stolen Horse International and its programs, visit our web site at www.NetPosse.info or contact: Debi Metcalfe, Stolen Horse International, PO Box 1341, Shelby, NC 28151; Phone(704)484-2165; Cell: (704)472-4314;

Stolen Horse International provides news and other resources for free on this website. As a charitable organization we survive on the kindness of people like you. Please consider donating to help fund the organization or purchasing a NetPosse ID for your horse, dog or cat to help protect your beloved animals!
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