Legal Aspects of Offering a Stolen Horse Reward

    Victims of horse theft want to do everything they can to locate and recover their stolen animal as soon as possible.  They know that someone may have witnessed the theft, seen their horse after it was taken, or heard someone talking about it. A common response is to offer a monetary reward for information leading to the recovery of the stolen horse. Simply put, the reward is an incentive for a person who may have valuable knowledge to take steps to provide that crucial information to the people who can use it to find their stolen horse.  

Offer + Acceptance = Contract

    As a general legal principle, contracts begin with an “offer” and come into existence when that offer is “accepted.” Depending on the nature of the contract, an offer can be accepted in various ways: in writing - by signing a written document, orally- by stating he or she is agreeing to accept the offer, or through action - simply doing what is asked, such as paying the price of an item offered for sale at a store.  A reward contract is generally entered into by a party actually performing the desired service – providing the information which leads to the recovery of the stolen horse.

 Enforcement of the Contract

    A person who provides the information requested has both accepted the offer and fulfilled their part of the contract. He or she is now entitled to receive the monetary reward that was offered. Failure to pay a reward to a person or organization which has “accepted” the offer by providing the desired information is a breach of contract, which can be the basis for a lawsuit for damages.

     While factual issues may arise about who actually provided the information or what information actually led to the recovery of the horse, simply changing one’s mind about wanting to pay the reward or not having the money to does so do not change the contractual obligation or provide a defense to a breach of contract lawsuit.

A Word of Caution

    Finding out that a horse has been stolen can be devastating to the owner. Wanting to offer a substantial monetary reward may be an emotional reaction. Before offering a reward, victims of horse theft should bear in mind that they are offering to enter into a contractual relationship that can create a legal obligation to pay the amount of the reward.  They must be certain that they are ready, willing, and able to keep their end of the bargain.  Setting aside the amount of the reward when it is offered, will assure those funds are available if needed and can help to avoid costly litigation.
 
Since 1999, R.L. Adams of Carolina Equine Law has been the attorney of choice for hundreds of equine professionals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and individual horse owners, throughout North Carolina and from twenty other states. He is an experienced civil litigator whose law practice is based in Raleigh, NC.  For more information, visit carolinaequinelaw.com.  This article discusses in simple terms some of the basic principle of general contract law which may apply to a reward offered in connection with a stolen horse.  It is not intended as legal advice.  The specific rights and obligations of the parties in an actual reward situation will depend on many factors.