Porc 411: SPCA and Police en route to home in Candia NH

[stanford]

Horses have been finding their own shelter for tens of thousands of years. They don't need nosy bureaucrats to protect them.

The simple fact is that horses will survive conditions far harsher than we hairless apes can. They do this by growing a heavy sweater as the cold weather settles in. Growing this new hair requires that they increase their caloric intake. Since we free-feed our horses (that is, they have as much as they want) and hay costs us money, it makes financial sense to protect the horses from the cold as much as we can.

The horses will survive just fine either way, but it is to our advantage to keep them warmer.

We plan to build a barn next summer. But if they throw me in jail for not following their rules, that probably won't get done.

And they're doing this for the benefit of the animals?

[Porcupine_in_MA]

I think a nice golden porcupine would be cool.

The little light bulb went on over my head, and I just sketched a porcupine with quills spelling out "LIVE FREE OR DIE."  The O and the Rs are a bit tricky, but it can be done!

Nice!

[Porcupine_in_MA]

Horses have been finding their own shelter for tens of thousands of years. They don't need nosy bureaucrats to protect them.

The simple fact is that horses will survive conditions far harsher than we hairless apes can. They do this by growing a heavy sweater as the cold weather settles in. Growing this new hair requires that they increase their caloric intake. Since we free-feed our horses (that is, they have as much as they want) and hay costs us money, it makes financial sense to protect the horses from the cold as much as we can.

The horses will survive just fine either way, but it is to our advantage to keep them warmer.

We plan to build a barn next summer. But if they throw me in jail for not following their rules, that probably won't get done.

And they're doing this for the benefit of the animals?

No, no, no...it's for the CHILDREN!

[slim]

No, no, no...it's for the CHILDREN!

What are we going to put children in the barn now with the horses?

[Porcupine_in_MA]

No, no, no...it's for the CHILDREN!

What are we going to put children in the barn now with the horses?

Didn't you know? Guess you missed the memo. Whenever the government does anything it's for the children. Whether it's related to children or not.

[DigitalWarrior]

Putting children in the barn is an AWESOME idea.

Just be sure to tie them down with chains to prepare them for a public school experience.

[doobie]

Horses have been finding their own shelter for tens of thousands of years. They don't need nosy bureaucrats to protect them.

The simple fact is that horses will survive conditions far harsher than we hairless apes can. They do this by growing a heavy sweater as the cold weather settles in. Growing this new hair requires that they increase their caloric intake. Since we free-feed our horses (that is, they have as much as they want) and hay costs us money, it makes financial sense to protect the horses from the cold as much as we can.

The horses will survive just fine either way, but it is to our advantage to keep them warmer.

We plan to build a barn next summer. But if they throw me in jail for not following their rules, that probably won't get done.

And they're doing this for the benefit of the animals?

They won't throw you in jail.  They will kidnap/steal your horses and then fine you a lot of money; which they may throw you in jail if you don't pay.

Gotta love the leverage a non-profit organization has!  Kind of reminds me of the days of Al Capone.

We'll break your legs if you don't do it our way, give us all your money.

[Kat Kanning]

Ok, do I have this anywhere close to accurate?

SPCA Joins the Police State

By Kat Kanning

On November 4th, Cooper Travis was arrested at his home in Candia for refusing to turn off his video camera while speaking with a police officer.  According to Travis, "The SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) came to my house and demanded that he be let onto the property to see the horse shelter.  He did not introduce himself as anyone (He was later identified as Steven Sprowl), he just started demanding."  Cooper told  the man that he couldn't let him on the property without the property owner's consent.  Sprowl left angrily and called the sheriff. 

When Sprowl returned, Beth Garthwaite came up identified herself as the property caretaker and reiterated that he could not come on the property without the permission of the owner.  She explained that the horse shelter was not visible from the road.  When asked if there was a law forcing them to let the SPCA on the property, Sprowl said that the police were on the way and threatened them with a search warrant and possible arrest and/or confiscation of the animals.

The Candia police arrived and Cooper informed the officer that he was being audio and video recorded.  The officer nodded his head in assent and said, "OK".  The officer claimed they had the right to inspect the property.  Beth questioned them about their "right" to inspect the property, asking for the specific law.  The officer sidestepped the question and said they'd have to get a search warrant.  When they again denied them entrance without the property owner's consent, the officer decided he didn't want the encounter recorded and told Cooper to turn off the camera.  When Cooper refused to stop filming at his own home, he was handcuffed and arrested.  Cooper was armed at the time.  The officer removed Cooper's gun and handed it to Sprowl, who proceeded to put a round in the chamber, drop the clip, and wave the now loaded gun around.

Cooper was taken to the Candia police station where a discussion took place between officers, and Cooper was released without charges.  His gun was returned to him.  As of the date of this printing, no search warrant has been obtained to search the Travis property, and no allegations of animal cruelty have been made available.  It is unclear at this time whether charges of false arrest will me made against the Candia police, or charges of impersonating an officer against the Sprowl – for wearing a badge when not deputized by police.

[lastlady]

I really like it. I don't think Cooper was arrested though just detained.

[dalebert]

That sounds pretty darn close based on my take of it from watching the vid and listening to Cooper. I think the only thing slightly off was where he "waved it around". He carelessly tossed the loaded gun into the seat right next to Cooper. If it had gone off, Cooper or someone else in the immediate vicinity could be dead.

[Josh]

I really like it. I don't think Cooper was arrested though just detained.

Technically, he was arrested.

[lastlady]

I really like it. I don't think Cooper was arrested though just detained.

Technically, he was arrested.

Really? I thought they had to "book" you for you to be arrested. Then you will have a court date after being charged with a crime. I thought they just let him go without any of that.

[Porcupine_in_MA]

–verb (used with object) 1. to seize (a person) by legal authority or warrant; take into custody: The police arrested the burglar. 
2. to catch and hold; attract and fix; engage: The loud noise arrested our attention. 
3. to check the course of; stop; slow down: to arrest progress. 
4. Medicine/Medical. to control or stop the active progress of (a disease): The new drug did not arrest the cancer. 
–noun 5. the taking of a person into legal custody, as by officers of the law.
6. any seizure or taking by force.
7. an act of stopping or the state of being stopped: the arrest of tooth decay. 
8. Machinery. any device for stopping machinery; stop.
—Idiom9. under arrest, in custody of the police or other legal authorities: They placed the suspect under arrest at the scene of the crime. 

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/arrest

[slim]

I really like it. I don't think Cooper was arrested though just detained.

Technically, he was arrested.

Really? I thought they had to "book" you for you to be arrested. Then you will have a court date after being charged with a crime. I thought they just let him go without any of that.

I think when they book you then you have been charged with a "crime". I think the cops can arrest you and hold you for some time (while they try and find something to charge you with) but after a specified amount of time they either have to charge you or release you.

[Josh]

–verb (used with object) 1. to seize (a person) by legal authority or warrant; take into custody: The police arrested the burglar. 
2. to catch and hold; attract and fix; engage: The loud noise arrested our attention. 
3. to check the course of; stop; slow down: to arrest progress. 
4. Medicine/Medical. to control or stop the active progress of (a disease): The new drug did not arrest the cancer. 
–noun 5. the taking of a person into legal custody, as by officers of the law.
6. any seizure or taking by force.
7. an act of stopping or the state of being stopped: the arrest of tooth decay. 
8. Machinery. any device for stopping machinery; stop.
—Idiom9. under arrest, in custody of the police or other legal authorities: They placed the suspect under arrest at the scene of the crime. 

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/arrest

See Also: Kidnapping under Color of Law