Outline Circulating message asks recipients to help find new homes for 52 thoroughbred horses that must be rehoused urgently due to the death of their owner.
Brief Analysis
The claims in the message were true but all of the horses have now found new homes. The continued circulation of the message is therefore no longer necessary.
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Last updated: 3rd February 2011
First published: 3rd February 2011
Article written by Brett M. Christensen About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer
Example
52 thoroughbred horses need homes. Will go to Sugarcreek this Saturday for slaughter. Gentleman died and his son wants nothing to do with them. Most broodmares are broke and some are in foal weanling, yearlings, 2 yrs and 3 yrs old most are gelded. FREE and papered. Friend of the deceased is trying to find homes [Numbers Removed] Barnesville, OH. Please copy and paste this on your status
Detailed Analysis
According to a message that is rapidly circulating via Facebook, other social networks, horse and pet forums and email, 52 thoroughbred horses urgently need new homes due to the death of their owner. The message notes that the horses, which are located at Barnesville, Ohio, will be sent to slaughter if new homes are not found for them. The message asks recipients to call one of the listed phone numbers if they can help.
The claims in the message were true, but the horses have now found new homes. According to credible reports on several horse related forums, all 52 of the horses have been rehomed, with most going to family friends of the deceased owner.
Therefore, the continued circulation of the message is no longer required. Even though all the horses now have new homes, those making the arrangements are still reportedly receiving a great many phone calls from people wishing to help. Calls to the listed numbers confirm that new homes have been arranged for all horses.
According to information posted on several horse related forums, the owner of the horses was Daniel Charles Stearns, D.V.M., who passed away Jan. 27, 2011 at the age of 89.
Such pleas can certainly be a useful tool in the hunt for new homes for animals whose owners can no longer house them. However, as in this case, such messages often continue to circulate long after all the animals have found new homes. In some instances, such messages have circulated for years after the animals have been safely relocated. Thus, it is important to verify that such "urgent" requests for new homes for unwanted animals are still current and valid before passing them on to others.
