Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to the NON-rescue again…

Friday evening we spent some more ‘quality’ time with that miniature horse stallion that keeps getting away – same little guy you folks know as “Stud Muffin.” This time we attempted to only remain involved to the point of ensuring he didn’t meet his demise by tangling with our stallion, Simmer and forcing others to get involved to raise awareness. Unfortunately – you guessed it – Douglas County Sheriff’s Office shirked the responsibility again.

We do have to thank Oakland Township’s Constable – who made every effort to assist the gentleman who stopped and held onto Stud Muffin for several hours. After explaining how many times he has gotten out – usually in the dark and the danger that represents not only to the horse but to the cars traveling by at 60mph it’s a tragedy waiting to happen. He made several attempts to call the Sheriff’s Office as well as get the owner to come to the door. The sheriff’s office finally called back – and get this – told him to WALK THE HORSE BACK DOWN THE 1 1/2 MILES OR SO ALONG THE DARK HIGHWAY AND TIE THE HORSE IN THE YARD AND LEAVE IT! That’s our tax dollars at work there folks.

Now if this were a one-time occurrence, I’d say yes, I’m sure they’re taking care of some emergency. BUT EVERY TIME? I’ve pointed out before when I rolled my tractor on the highway on the top of this busy hill with limited visibility the wrecker asked for a deputy to come direct traffic to avoid an accident. As noted previously, that was two years ago and we’re still waiting…guessing again they ain’t coming.

While I was at the sheriff’s office last time this occurred – after waiting 3 1/2 hours alongside the highway holding the horse I finally loaded the horse in the trailer and delivered it to their door – one of the officer’s responding from the city to the call that there was a horse that had been brought to the sheriff’s office told us a good portion of the deputies won’t handle livestock calls, period. Wonder if that holds true to other parts of their jobs? “I don’t really like that so I’m just not going to respond.” What are the liabilities to Douglas County if a family gets killed trying to avoid this hazard and during discovery they play the repeated 911 calls asking for assistance prior to the accident that could’ve been avoided?

In this case, this time, we agreed to load the horse up again and bring him back to the property where we’d again attempt to get the owner to answer the door and/or secure the pen he is supposed to have in place after one of the last times the little guy escaped. Fortunately the owner finally answered the door and took possession, after again being told he was liable for damages if something happens from his horse’s escapes.

All we can all do apparently is pray that he doesn’t get out – one of the next times that are sure to come either that little horse is going to die or someone racing by on the highway is going to… Let’s hope they respond then. Otherwise, I’m guessing their familiarity with this term (or some term like it all the lawyers will use) will be increased:

Willful Negligence. Intentional performance of an unreasonable act in disregard of a known risk, making it highly probable that harm will be caused. Willful negligence usually involves a conscious indifference to the consequences. There is no clear distinction between willful negligence and gross negligence.