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A Tragic End for Eagle April 10, 2007
Eagles' owner, Eddie Cook of Mud Creek road in Jefferson County, loaned Eagle to a casual acquaintance a few years ago. When this man contacted Cook saying he no longer wanted the horse, Cook directed the man to shoot the horse as he had no where for him. The man intervened on Eagles behalf and rather than shoot Eagle, found him a home. Much later Eagle was found staggering down the highway, emaciated and near death. At the request of the Irondale police this time TEARS intervened on Eagle behalf. We brought the 35 year old horse to the conditions you see here. Sadly during this process, Mr. Cook found that TEARS was attempting to save the horse. We have fought a long and expensive fight in court and medically on Eagle's behalf but the battle has been lost. Having already tried to kill the horse Eagle now- after being in the care of TEARS once and at 35 years of age, we harbor no doubt in our minds what Cook plans for this horse. In a state where there are virtually no laws to protect livestock of any kind and where judges have no regard for the life, death or suffering of the animals whose well being they hold in there hands, such outcomes are commonplace. Update 4/11/07 - A prominent local businessman (friend of TEARS) has made a generous offer to purchase Eagle from Cook -- his offer was declined. Several other individuals also have offered to purchase Eagle -- all offers were declined. The Deputy Manager, Animal Cruelty Issues of HSUS is involved. Two additional attorneys that specialize in animal cruelty cases are also involved. Hundreds of phone calls and emails have been sent to Judge Coleman, Gov. Riley, state senators and state congress from all parts of the country.
On a side note, Cook went to the courthouse yesterday and paid the courts the $1000 the Judge had asked for in the ruling. NBC 13 News and Fox 6 News will be airing the story of Eagle on tonight's evening news. We would like to thank Ken Nichols (aka Mr. Suzsuki Man) for his attempt on Eagle's behalf to purchase Eagle from his owner. Although offer was refused, we really appreciate this valiant effort. Ken has been a friend of TEARS for a long time and we value his friendship. Update 4/16/07 - Cook ABANDONS EAGLE AGAIN for the 2nd time
At 3:30 there were still no signs of the owner, his attorney, or Sloan. Calls were made by our attorney to Cook's attorney (who was not reachable) and Judge Ralph Coleman Jr. There was no comment from the Judge! (Hey Judge, is that mud on your face?) The Sheriff's dispatchers could not locate Sloan. Eagle was then loaded up again and taken to a foster home. This much stress on a horse of this age is not good. Does this sound like a person who really wants this horse? Again, Eagle awaits his destiny. Update 4/17/07 - JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OBVIOUSLY HAS TOO MANY DEPUTIES and RESOURCES Several deputies in a couple of cars and a horse trailer showed up this morning at 7:00 AM unannounced at TEARS Town to do the work of the owner. Why didn't Cook come to get Eagle? Why are the taxpayers paying for deputies and equipment to run Cook's errands for him? The arrangement between the attorneys and the Judge was for TEARS to surrender Eagle to Cook at 2:00pm Monday 4-16-07. There was absolutely no need for all this expense to the taxpayers of Jefferson County. We are trying again for 2:00pm today. Update 4/18/07 At 4:00 PM CST on 4/17/07, the foster for Eagle was in the process of bringing him to Tearstown to make him available again for Cook to pick up. When he stopped momentarily at his place of business, he was surrounded by Sheriff's deputies telling him that Cook was on his way and they were there to enforce a court order to return Eagle to Cook. When the TEARS foster asked to see the court order, the deputies could not produce it. We have yet to see this court order. The media was at Tearstown awaiting for the event to unfold. A quick call was made to advise of the events happening at the fosters location. The media was able to get to location before the exchange took place. Eagle was surrendered to Cook, who did not have a horse trailer. He led Eagle down a busy street to what someone reported was a storage building about a mile away. All options for Eagle have been exhausted. We would like to thank the thousands of people who called, emailed, signed petitions, wrote letters and yes, prayed for Eagle and Tears' fight to save him. Please continue to help us with your support. Please continue to work toward helping us establish laws in this state that would protect the animals from judges who could care less and owners who care even less. Update 7/8/07 Hello TEARS and EAGLE supporters, I just wanted to let you know the status of the court case instigated by Mr. Cook. The case was to have been heard Tuesday June 26, 2007 but had to be continued until August 21 2007 pending production of discovery by the prosecution. We are thrilled to announce that a court reporter has committed to providing that service on a pro bono base as does our attorney Lawden Yates. Monies that you already donated toward legal fees are being held in trust by Mr. Yates pending other expenses anticipated in order to prepare the best defense possible. I am told there are numerous accusations and mistruths being spread on the internet by a handful of individuals. Suffice to say TEARS has sworn affidavits and other proof to substantiate any action we have taken. The actions taken by TEARS HAVE BEEN LAWFUL AND APPROPRIATE. The ‘peanut gallery’ on the other hand is clearly lacking in facts. If you have concerns about the actions of TEARS or me, please feel free to contact us. Thank you again for your support of TEARS and of EAGLE, whose well being seems to have been forgotten in exchange for petty bickering and finger pointing. Terra Cotromano The Horses' Prayer To thee, my master, I offer my prayer. Feed me, water and care for me, and when the day's work is done, provide me with shelter, a clean, dry bed, and stall wide enough for me to lie down in comfort. Always be kind to me. Your voice often means as much to me as the reins. Pet me sometimes, that I may serve you the more gladly and learn to love you. Do not jerk the reins, and do not whip me when going uphill. Never strike, beat, or kick me when I do not understand you. Watch me, and if I fail to do your bidding, see if something is not wrong with my harness or feet.
I cannot tell you when I am thirsty, so give me clean, cool water often. Save me, by all means in your power from that fatal disease – the glanders. I cannot tell you in words when I am sick, so watch me, that by signs you may know my condition. Give me all possible shelter from the hot sun, and put a blanket on me, not when I am working, but when I am standing in the cold. Never put a frosty bit in my mouth, first warm it by holding it a moment in your hands. I try to carry you and your burden without a murmur, and wait patiently for you long hours of the day or night. Without the power to choose my shoes or path, I sometimes fall on hard pavement which I have often prayed might not be of wood but of such a nature as to give me safe and sure footing. Remember that I must be ready at any moment to lose my life in your service. And finally, OH MY MASTER, when my useful strength is gone, do not turn me out to starve or freeze, or sell me to some cruel owner, to be slowly tortured and starved to death, but do thou, My Master, take my life in the kindest way, and your God will reward you here and hereafter. You will not consider me irreverent if I ask this in the name of Him who was born in a stable. AMEN |
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Tragically Judge Coleman of the Jefferson County Civil Court Bessemer Division has condemned Eagle, in our opinion, to his death by ordering that he be returned to his original owner even after that same owner sat in front of Judge Coleman in his court Eagle when found by Irondale police and proudly stated he previously ordered the horse to be shot and further stated, still in front of the judge that he would have been happy if the horse had been shot.
As of right now, the owner of Eagle has refused all offers to buy Eagle and says he will not sell. The Judge is telling people that TEARS failed to file an appeal. We had no reason to file an appeal. The ruling that the judge set was to EITHER pay Mr. Cook $1000 OR return the horse. TEARS forgave the $800 the judge set for restitution on Eagle and paid Cook $200 to offset the total $1000 price the judge set. During the entire 14 days we had to appeal, we heard nothing from the Judge, nor Cook. Cook was sent a letter and a certified check for $200 and he signed for both. We assumed it was closed, until last Friday, April 6th when we received an order to return the horse on Monday April 16th. The Judge is also telling people there will be a "ruling" on Monday. That "ruling" is our order returning the horse to the owner. Nothing more.
We were ordered to surrender Eagle back to his owner today at 2:00pm CST at TEARS sanctuary. A county Sheriff's Animal Control Officer, Dwight Sloan, was to accompany Cook to insure there were no problems. We brought Eagle from his foster home to the TEARS sanctuary today. Patiently we waited along with other Eagle supporters.
Do not check me so that I cannot have free use of my head. If you insist that I wear blinders, so that I cannot see behind me as it was intended I should, I pray you be careful that the blinders stand well out of my eyes. Do not overload me, or hitch me where water will drip on me. Keep me well shod. Examine my teeth when I do not eat, I may have an ulcerated tooth, and that, you know, is very painful. Do not tie my head in an unnatural position, or take away my best defense against flies and mosquitoes by cutting off my tail.