What Do You Do If You Find A Stolen Horse?

by Debi Metcalfe

A critical part of recovery in any missing or stolen horse case is to make sure you have the right horse.  Hopefully the owner has provided really good pictures, video and types of equine ID to assist with proper identification. The more details the better since many horses look similar in color. You will find pictures, details about the horse, contact info and a flyer on most case reports with Stolen Horse International, Inc.

You are going to a horse auction and see a horse at the auction that you think is the missing horse everyone is searching for on www.netposse.com. What do you do now? Here are a few tips to help you bring that horse to its owner.

I’m here!

There are many honest people who own auctions around the country that will help a victim. However, there are also many who will look you in the face, tell you how they are going to help and then turn a blind eye to the horse when they see it in their sale. There are even some that will warn the person bringing the horse to sale so that it does not go into the sale. Because of these variables it may not be wise to let anyone know you are there to look for a stolen horse. It is often better to watch, look, listen and swoop into action if you see the horse.

What do I do when I see the horse?

There are many things that you can do and some that you may do. Here is a list that is helpful. You must decide what comes first depending on the time you have to take action.

First, make sure the horse matches the information on the NetPosse.com report. Many horses look similar.

Work quickly and quietly. You do not want to be noticed obtaining the information for safety reasons and so those handling the horses will not be spooked away.

Use our cell phone to take pictures of:

• Of the horse
• The hip number on the horse.
• The person with the horse.
• The person buying the horse. Listen for the name of the buyer.
• The horse tied to the trailer.
• The truck and trailer license number.
• Specific markings on the truck or trailer.

Who do I tell?

You need to contact the owner, local law enforcement and the sale barn owner. The order in which you do that depends on the time frame. If the horse is about to leave then you may want to notify the sale owner and ask them to put a hold on the horse. If you seem to have plenty of time you will want to contact law enforcement and the owner first, the latter so they can help you identify the horse. Text them pictures of the horse in question ASAP.

Many horse auctions have law enforcement on the grounds and they are very helpful in recovery. Again, make sure you have the details to prove, or at least prove that the horse is possibly a match, to strengthen your claim that you have indeed found a stolen horse.

Several things need to happen before a stolen horse can be retrieved by the owner. The original report to law enforcement needs to be authenticated, if there is enough information on the report and supplement docs to process seizing the horse.

Summary

If you see what you consider to be a stolen horse inconspicuously gather the details and report it to the authorities. Do not try to play the hero. Do not alert the individuals in possession of the horse. Also keep in mind that the person who has the horse may also be an innocent bystander and may not know the horse is stolen.