Plea to Help Find Homes for 52 Thoroughbred Horses

Outline
Circulating messages ask 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 messages were true but all of the horses found new homes back in 2011. And new variants of the message contain false and misleading information. The continued circulation of these message is unnecessary and counterproductive.

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Last updated: December 5, 2012
First published: 3rd February 2011
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer

Examples



Detailed Analysis
According to messages that are 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 original version of the message, which began circulating in early 2011, noted that the horses, located at Barnesville, Ohio, were to be sent to slaughter if new homes were not found for them. The message asked recipients to call one of the listed phone numbers if they could 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 were rehomed, with most going to family friends of the deceased owner.

Long after the horses were rehomed, a second variant of the message began circulating. The new version falsely claimed that the horses were located in Scotland and listed different contact details.

Thus, the continued circulation of these messages is no longer required. Calls to the listed numbers in the original version confirmed that new homes were 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.



References
TBs need homes in OH
52 thoroughbred horses need homes or will go to sugar creek this Saturday
Dr. Daniel Charles Stearns III (1921-2011)
Email Request to Adopt Free Black Lab Puppies

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Pages in this issue:

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3. Christmas Cards For Dalton Dingus
4. Jim Carrey is NOT Dead
5. Australian Power & Gas 'Payment Receipt' Malware Emails
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7. Starbucks Lack of Support For Iraq Troops Rumor
8. Holiday Horrors - Are Common Seasonal Decorations Toxic?
9. Facebook 'Site Governance' Email is Legitimate
10. RapidFax Malware Email
11. Facebook Survey Scam - Free Bunnings Gift Card
12. Plea to Help Find Homes for 52 Thoroughbred Horses
13. Giant Table and Chairs Horse Shelter Photograph
14. Wrestling Star John Cena is NOT Dead
15. Facebook 'Pirates' Fraud Warning
16. Leptospirosis Death Warning - Rat Urine on Soda Can Top
17. Egg Windshield Attack Robbery Warning
18. 'Assistance Internet' Email Account Phishing Scam
19. Misleading Health Advice Email - 'Mayo Clinic on Aspirin and Heart Attacks'