Action and Inaction at Fair Play Farm

She hadn't heard of it? Did she just start work there? Very upsetting that the office isn't even aware? I don't think there's a case now that the horses heve been moved, is there?

I sure hope someone gets the ball rolling on this soon...otherwise, it sounds as if yet another animal abuser is going to fall through the cracks. This is becoming a complete travesty of justice, and just think, this is what our tax dollars are being used to support!

Where is this other farm in Burnham? Does anyone know if animal welfare is checking that place out?

Why don't you believe there story that the horses arrived like that? The picture here wouldn't even hold up in court here in UT because there is hay obviously being eaten. Is it possible they are trying to help? Please don't attack me, I'm just curious. I have a super thin horse here at my house. He has been eaten none stop for 2 months, since he arrived. I am trying to put weight on but the vet says it will take alomost a year. Is it possible you guys are wrong?

I personally visited the farm today. There is not one thing wrong with whats going on there. All you people who think you know everything, need to go for a visit. You will find many fat and happy horses. The few that arent fat, are definitely happy because they are finally getting the care and food they should have been getting from thier previous owner. As for those previous owners, you know-it-alls should be tracking them down and making thier lives miserable. You all need to get lives and leave the Ingrahams alone.

This may sound a bit off but, if donations are made to these people to help with these horses, wont that just enable them to continue with this problem? It may help temporarily but not solve the issue. They need to stop taking in sick and malnourished horses. They are not a rescue for a reason. They are not able to provide appropriately for these horses. So as much as they may have good intentions, they should leave the rescuing to the rescue farms. I think there bottom line is how much of a profit they can make off these horses. This is what needs to stop. If they want to buy healthy horses that may need training or other non health related issue work and resell them that is a good way for them to make money. But the rehab of sick horses is beyond there financial ability with so many other horses. Why do they need to have so many anyway? They need to concentrate on selling what they have before getting more. I am wondering if the owners of this property are fully aware of this issue. Why are they being allowed to have so many horses if they are leasing the farm? What do the owners think of all this? Why are they not involved in the action here? How much land is there and is it even enough to support the amount of horses there? I don't know why there is an issue of a lack of funding to enforce action here. I think there are plenty of people that are willing to take these horses and plenty of people who are willing to volunteer to look into other farms to ensure they will go to a place where they can get proper care. Why cant the law be enforced like any other? A cop goes there with an order for them to GIVE for FREE some of there horses to other homes or they go to jail! If making a profit is that big of a deal for these people it would save them on cost of hay, feed and care not to have them there. This isn't rocket science, where is the common scents?

I couldn't agree more with you on that one. Your average backyard individual that needs a helping hand is one thing and I'd be all over that but I will not condone the actions of these irresponsible individuals who will learn NOTHING from all of this is things are given to them. This is where your Animal Welfare Program needs to be stepping in and doing their job and making THEM be responsible for their "business". Either care properly for your animals or turn them over to someone who can....don't expect others to fund their business and then let them reap the rewards through the sale of their horses.

After attending both the 'emergency' AWAC meeting on Wednesday and the HSUS Humane Day yesterday the one MOST important thing is ... call, write, email .. your Legislators!!! Let them know what's going on and how you feel. After spending a day at the State House and speaking with various Legislators it was obvious that the word was out about this situation. These people need to hear from us .. they 'work' for us!!! Their email addresses are available on the Maine.gov site .. Maine Friends of Animals is polling the candidates running for Governor as to their stand/feelings on animal welfare. Results should be interesting. Don't hesitate to email the candidates as well ... Keep the pressure on!!!

Shortly after the Emergency Meeting with AWAC began, the meeting went into Executive Session, meaning all members of the public and media had to leave. Animal Welfare Program officials and Animal Welfare Advisory Committee remained to discuss further...although little more info was given regarding the investigation. At 10am, AWP staff had to leave that meeting for another, at which time the public and media were allowed to meet with AWAC. Many issues were discussed, and the end result is pretty much what was known from the beginning...there is an ongoing investigation, no charges have been filed, there is no order to stop the business of FPF while the investigation continues. What you can be certain of is this: there would NOT be an ongoing investigation (however you feel it's being conducted) if there were no concerns with this farm. The state is being VERY tight lipped because this is a REAL investigation, and will not be swept aside like so many others. It would be nice to have seen some horses seized to get the medical attention they need, but I can't guess as to why that hasn't happened. There are two things that can be done by those of us with concerns. (1) If you have FIRST HAND knowledge, experience, photographs that will support allegations of neglect, you MUST PLEASE file a report! File it with the AWP regardless of how frustrated you are with how they are handlling this. BUT, in order for it to really be taken seriously, you must also submit your report to Evert Fowle, District Attorney. His number is listed on the NickerNews website. DA Fowle has REQUESTED that all those with first hand reports please contact him with your observations of FPF. He is taking this VERY SERIOUSLY! (2) Everyone MUST keep the pressure on by calling your local senators and representatives. It's very easy to find the names & contact info for your elected officials. Letters & e-mails are great, but PHONE CALLS are even better! Be professional, but assertive when telling them that you take animal abuse and neglect SERIOUSLY, that they should too...and that they need to ACT regarding the Clinton case. Many people are angered because they feel they should not have to do the AWP's job for them. Consider this...if you have NOT given your report with your first hand information, they WILL NOT have the important evidence you hold. Just like in a criminal investigation, someone with evidence MUST COME FORWARD...don't assume they will find you. By presenting your account, you will make the job easier for AWP staff...or if you prefer...you will make it more difficult for them to NOT do their jobs. YOU will help build their case, strengthen the legitimacy of the allegations, and support the need for charges to be filed. The bottom line is that EVERYONE needs to participate in some way. If AWP staff are to blame for not doing their jobs appropriately, then we are just as guilty for what we are doing. Expressing your disgust, sadness, disbelief and outrage are only useful when combined with taking PROPER ACTION to support your concerns. If the only thing we do is post comments, get on each other's nerves, slam AWP, then we are all working IN FAVOR of the Ingraham's being permitted to carry on as usual. You decide what you want to happen. Then, if you sincerely believe yourself, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Once you have, post again and tell us what you have accomplished! Here's my list...I have personally visited the offices of: Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins & Mike Michaud. I had a phone conversation with Sen. Deb Simpson and talked with the office of Chellie Pingree. I have talked twice and submitted photos to Commissioner Bradstreet. I have completed a report that details complaints against Fair Play Farm AND the Animal Welfare Department. Your choices are: do one or both of the suggestions above and provide a voice for the horses and support for the cause...OR do neither, and feel satisfied that you are supportive of Fair Play Farm and their business operations.

Instead of hearing from a 3rd party -- go see for yourself. Then judge.

Are you kidding me, Everet? You should have seen this place last month. It was death warmed over -- Horses left outside in crowded, miserable conditions. Ain't no way you'd be defending them if you saw it before lots of people started paying attention.

I have been sending weekly sets of "questions" to every member of the Ag Committee, I took the Commissioner of Agriculture off the list since Norma is his answering machine now instead of doing the job she was hired to do), I added the Attorney General to the list last week. I have gathered all kinds of information that has been available for years about Norma's complete disregard for livestock of any kind especially horses and sent that on it's way again for I think it is the 5th or 6th time. I am coming at this from an enforcement point of view and trying to get anyone to respond to that, I haven't had a single taker. I find that rather odd. In 2004 an agent was allowed to resign after complaint was filed that he didn't respond to a complaint, animals that were alive when the complaint was made later died. I am asking what is the difference between that agent failing to respond to a complaint and the Director failing to asign an agent to respond to a complaint? Other than the director of AWP being higher up the food chain I must be missing the difference. Like Maddy said, I am reloading too!

For all of the people that think that there is nothing going on there you are wrong. I drove past there just daysbefore the whole thing started and there were at least 12 or more horses standing in a pen that isn't even really big enough for 2 horses. Also for those of you people that say that they just take in sick and skinny horses and help them get better you obviously have no idea what is going on there!