Bonnie

At some point in February 2011,  I went to Wittman to look at a carriage that was for sale. When I arrived, I did not realize the person that was selling the carriage was not home, but I did notice Bonnie in a shed in a distance. I went closer and what we saw next I will never forget. Bonnie was covered with feces matted hair curled hooves. You could not tell that she was a equine species. When the owner arrived home, I asked her about Bonnie, and she said the pony should’ve been dead years ago. I gave her my card, that I have a horse rescue, and had hoped she would do the right thing by the pony but she didn’t. I contacted the Humane Society. They went out, said that she has shelter and shelter, and that she’s fine. That is when my crusade for justice began. I filed a complaint with Talbot County Animal Control, which then turned into charges for neglect to be filed against Bonnie's owner. When  the court date arrived, the owner was given probation before judgement, ordered to surrender Bonnie to Halo's Haven and fined court costs of $57.

Bonnie had advanced Cushing's disease, which causes a great deal of pain for a horse, along with numerous other medical problems. She required constant medical care, veterinary care and farrier care. The costs of all of this care was absorbed by Halo's Haven. Over the next two years, trying to help Bonnie get comfortable and back to a healthier state was not my only mission. 

I contacted my local officials including Del. Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio and Sen. Rich Colburn and Sen. Addie Eckhart, all of whom helped to introduce legislation that would require a court to order anyone convicted of animal cruelty to surrender the animals, and to pay, in addition to any other fines and costs, all costs incurred in removing, feeding, housing, treating, or euthanizing an animal confiscated from the defendant. We fondly call this "Bonnie's Law" and are grateful to all that supported this change in the law.

We worked tirelessly to help Bonnie be comfortable, unfortunately her medical condition was so far gone by the time that we got her, that she could never completely rebound.

"July 8, 2013  ·

:It is with heavy hearts that we wanted you all to know that yesterday at 1:00 our sweet Bonnie was laid to rest. She let us know that it was time. She touched so many with her story and with who she was. She brought all of us together both far and wide. Let her be an example to all of us~although she was neglected, mistreated, and abused she still came to us with her loving heart, offering both forgiveness and kindness. She touched all of our lives deeply and she will be forever missed and never forgotten. Thank you all for you love, concern and support of our Bonnie girl. We all made a difference in her life, and she made one in all of ours...rest easy baby girl."