30
Apr 2013
FBI raids Another Chance 4 Horses in Berks County
NORTH HEIDELBERG TWP., Pa. –
Federal investigators have raided a horse rescue operation in Berks County.
The FBI, acting on a federal search warrant, conducted the raid Tuesday morning atAnother Chance 4 Horseson Station Road in North Heidelberg Township.
Agents seized computers, cell phones, financial records, veterinary records and boxes of other items and documents related to the nonprofit operation and its sale and purchase of horses, according to an inventory list compiled by the agents.
Jade
This raid and seizure was over health certificates? Really? LOL
stephanie
I have adopted 4 horses from ac4h over the last 9 yrs and never once had a problem. One was the infamous Painted Pistol and he is happy and healthy in my back yard! His girlfriend is Chacha from ac4h…our 1st adoption from Christy.
Christy and Rick have always been honest with me about the info on each horse. I have kept in touch with her every yr about my ac4h herd…
I was never dissatisfied.
Sarah Rabinowitz Mognoni
AC4H was set up by a few very nasty disgruntled people-FBI investigation was dropped. I also have animals from them-never had a problem.
Sarah Rabinowitz Mognoni
I have heard rumblings in the industry for some time about AC4H but in fact have taken 4 animals from them-two ponies and two draft horses over the last 7 years without incident, either in terms of representation of the animals identities or health. The transactions proceeded without difficulties. I hope that the rescue of animals from slaughter feedlots continues in spite of investigations. Lives are at stake.
Debra Gordon
When you read the comments all going down the page, it is mentioned repeatedly that this group are horse dealers, and not rescuers. Is that true? Are they responsible for the slaughter of horses, and making money off of people’s agony over horses suffering? If this is true, they need to be arrested and that for a long time.
Eleanor Vallone
Rescues typically take horses in and rehab them, then rehome. In the Broker Owned program, they act more as a go between in a purchase transaction… Technically, that may still fall under the classification of a rescue. Not sure.
Lisa
yes, that is true, and the fact that they can’t get off the lucrative gravy train will be their undoing–their arrogance–
sherriey
but…the FBI????????? really? seriously?
is this a scare tactic against horse rescues? over the slaughter issue???????
i sure hope not…but then……???????
Steph Caputi
Yes, it is true they were raided and NO not over health certs as Christy would like you to believe. This is regarding money fraud, NOT health certificates (if it were, that would be contested by the PA Ag Dept). AC4H is NOT a horse rescue- they are horse dealers who work hand in hand with the killbuyers, trying to place horses that are too sick to ship. They offer no care whatsoever to the equines! When you “rescue” a horse from folks like these you are lining their pockets and enabling them to buy more HEALTHY horses to ship to slaughter.
sherriey
thanks for the heads up….that then explains a lot!
Sarah Rabinowitz Mognoni
Whether or not financial fraud has occurred is for the authorities to determine. I do find the extreme comments about AC4H to have a high level of misogyny primarily from other women. I don’t know how many horses AC4H has re-homed over the last 15 years but certainly those numbers would be worth reviewing. If those horses are alive and not dead the organization has contributed to the industry. What must be faced here is ANY money changing hands for living beings-when we get to the point where selling (or even adopting out for money) horses is not morally acceptable issues like AC4H’s will be moot.
Robynne Catheron
It’s been a long time coming for Christy “Shady” Sheidy, her unethical veterinarians, kill-buyer Brian Moore, and everyone else who worked with her during her many years of scamming. Just Google “AC$H Fraud” and a lot of it comes up, including a Facebook page filled with comments from many of her victims. Last year’s tax forms stated AC4H made $900,000. Did any of that wealth go toward care of those horses? Not much.
Robynne Catheron
Sorry, her expenses were $9k, not her income. Still, there’s no way possible that money was spent on horses.
marilyn
OMG this is over health certificates…now what is wrong with this picture…
Robynne Catheron
Goodness no, this is much more involved than simple health certs. This is about years and years of scamming hundreds of thousands of dollars, probably millions, falsifying official documents, lying on tax forms, etc, in addition to the atrocities she put most of the horses through. The list of charges will be long, and her victims are many. AC4H has been an oozing blemish on the horse rescue community far too long, and justice must be served here.
Arlene
Seems to me they raided the wrong place , isnt it time to raid the real criminals , and we all know who they are, Kill Buyers and the agency thats is and has been the real criminals !!!!!
Jack
Dear Sheep,
Let’s not paint Christy and AC4H as the “victims” here. They are not a rescue! They put on a good show, but what happens is her sidekick, Brian Moore, is a kill buyer who buys horses for pennies. AC4H turns around and lists them to be “rescued” for $300+ each. When they are “rescued,” AC4H gets a piece of the action while the money goes to Brian Moore, kill buyer.
Is this a rescue? Helping to support a kill buyer? Uh…no.
So, really, you’re right…it IS time to raid the real criminals….and the FBI just did yesterday.
Linda Brown
Horses disappear from her pages, never having been adopted but they do not go to slaughter-most of the ones she sells will not be accepted at Canadian slaughter plants. Horses are resold back to auction. People who apply for a horse never hear back because Sheidy has given them to her associates to resell for a profit. Even when you purchase a horse, she gives it to one of her crony horse broker buddies to sell. I have personal experience of TB mare Redeeming Grace disappearing after numerous people tried to adopt her.
Ashley
It’s about damn time!!!! That women is the biggest scam I’ve ever seen. To list “slaughter bound” horses for 6-900$!!! Is incredible! I frequent these auctions and not on any day are horses purchased by the kill buyer for that much money. Also… Slaughter houses don’t take minis, horses have to be 400 pounds. She’s been playing on people’s heart strings for far too long.
horsewelfarenews
Sharing, thank you.
Valerie
Please…these people were EVIL…I dealt with them briefly and smelled a rat…there was a beautiful appy I wanted and they must have sold him to 3 people. More evil and fraud from AC4H:
Jennifer Hurry
>>more AC4H fraud
Bethee Newman-Dempsey> 11 hours ago
They really screwed me over when I did adoptions through them. The horses I had adopted were taken from me and RESOLD which is fraud. I was slandered on FB and blamed for something I didn’t do. I followed their procedures to rescue by the letter and found hidden costs that were not expected. Horses arrived skinny, very sick and when I had my vet out he couldn’t believe the condition they were in. The gelding was starved and had a terrible infection. Both mares had mastitis and also had terrible infections. They were not the ages I had been told but much older. This rescue must be closed. I agree with Jennifer Hurry in that this rescue is a scam. Horses are being adopted out and then re adopted out again and the rescue is getting paid twice. Blame was put on ME for not feeding even when there were 40 bales or more in my barn. While in the hospital and had a friend caring for horses, animal control was called and told I had abandoned the stock. Caretaker called me in tears and I called an. con. to tell them I had been hospitalized. They confirmed this true, and tore up the note. Adopted horses were still given to the terrible person who had called an.con. and who stole every piece of tack I ever owned; a special dressage saddle was among the stolen tack. Saddle had been awarded to me when I was 19 and won a 3 day event at my trainer’s barn. Horses were then adopted out a 2nd time and money was paid again,
Susan Schroeder> WTH!!!!!11 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
Rebecca Burrows> so sorry to read this. i remember when you were having all the problems. good luck getting them shut down for good!!11 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1
Bethee Newman-Dempsey> Rebecca Burrows thank you. The person mentioned; I will not give name. got hold of 3 other horses of mine; 2 old mares that were supposed to go to a rescue/sanctuary for the rest of their lives, and my beloved mustang. I was told they were sent to mexico so person could make money on them. I’m so heartsick and have looked for them a year already. I want my mustang back. I feel like someone put their hand into my chest and pulled out my heart.
SAM B
Beth, I was your ‘new’ neighbor– although we never met, before you moved. I do know of whom you refer to as the “person mentioned” and he is flat out cruel to horses, I have witnessed this personally. Ty calls himself a trainer, but IMO is no trainer, but abuser. Now he blocks my view of his round pen with his big orange trailer so I can no longer SEE what he does to horses. (Relief to me, none to his charges) Sending your horses to Mexico was not supposed to be part of the rescue’s operation or deal as I understood it. He is in it for the money and has the balls to say he is rescue/trainer. So very sad about what has happened to you and your beloved horses. Please feel free to contact me.
Lisa
Beth, I am SO HAPPY you will be heard, finally! You went through SO MUCH ! These people needed shut down for so LONG, I as so happy they finally shut them down, but in their arrogance they continue to push the sales, they can’t give up that lucrative gravy chain.
Eleanor Vallone
Its fine to make a decision NOT to participate in this type of “30 second video” horse purchase. But, if you do take that chance and it doesn’t work out for you, why blame anyone else?
Horses are video taped and stay at the meat dealers until somebody buys them. No end to infectious diseases at that place and I would EXPECT a horse to be sick when bought out of those conditions. Possible the horse is also kicked, unfed, injured, debilitated, generally defeated. All six of my AC4H rescue horses were sick when they came in, and had fear issues. They all got over it. It was part of the risk I took.
If they shut down, I sure am glad I got the horses I did from them, while I could.
Sarah Rabinowitz Mognoni
Re Eleanor’s comment-absolutely agree-all horse transactions involve risk and these horses are particularly stressed. Good for you, Eleanor, in taking six. At least they are safe. My two drafts were severely underweight, one with a squamous in one eye- the two ponies were exactly as represented and as such, imperfect. I have had the ponies for 8 years-the Drafts came much more recently. I took them to give them a permanent home, regardless of their physical condition.
Valerie
YOU ALL ARE VERY NAIVE!!!!!!! These people have a 501c3 and made money off of needy horses’ BLOOD that were sold for $10 at New Holland and to you for a HUGE mark up. There are better ways to help and now the horses lose and the good hearted people who believed they were doing the right thing. I have many more stories of how they ripped off people and counted on your bleeding hearts to line their pockets all the while laughing their way to the bank driving their Mercedes or other expensive luxury cars. Those of us that are REALLY doing rescue are barely scraping by. Either you people are getting paid by Christy and Brian for damage control or you choose to keep yourself in a bubble believing you donated to a worthy cause. Pull your heads out of your ass; they have prayed on you and innocent horses for a very long time. It’s about time they went down for it.
Sarah Rabinowitz Mognoni
To Valerie and others-re “really” doing rescue I run a permanent sanctuary for 60 horses, donkeys, ponies and mules-and yes, we are scraping by. The worthy cause I donated to was the saving of the 4 animals who are now in my care permanently-the cost of the transactions was minimal compared to the lifetime of care I intend to provide. Whether they came from AC4H or elsewhere is actually irrelevant. If there is proven fraud in this particular rescue I hope it does not interfere with finding homes for animals in need-nothing more to say except to wait for the investigation to disclose its findings.Meanwhile please focus energy on contacting your representatives to pass the SAFE Act!
Deb Schroer
Now let us hope they go after all of these so called “horse rescues” that buy horses already “at risk” and resell them at huge mark ups and still ship to slaughter. I name a few off the top of my head right now. Once the FBI starts looking into this, it will be a matter of time before they shut them all down. Glad to hear this news.
darlene supnick
I have taken horses from AC4H, Camelot and other groups who post out and I have had no issues with AC4H. they have disclaimers and do not own the horses,the specifically state that they only see the horses on the broker lot. My horses had health certificates, were the correct horses and the price was the one stated. I think any horse saved regardless of who posts that horse, is one less slaughtered. The ONLY answer to stop all of this is to end horse slaughter and support the SAFE act.
Sarah Rabinowitz Mognoni
Correct, Darlene!
Beverly Hubbard
One way to tell a “real” rescue from a broker is if they get first right of refusal. A “real” rescue wants that horse to be in a good “forever” home. If the rescue’s adoption contract includes this, it’s a good sign you’re dealing with an org. that actually wants the best for it’s animals.
darlene supnick
I am looking at an AC4H contract in front of me for a mini I rescued a few weeks ago and it does have right of first refusal clause. Are there two different contracts that they use and also Camelot did not have one so why are people only complaining about one group and not the others? I am confused. My contract for Forgotten Angels states that I can take the horse back at any time if it is not being cared for and a right of first refusal.
Robynne Catheron
I find it sad that anyone with any intelligence is still defending and supporting AC4H. Folks, this is NOT ABOUT HORSE ADOPTIONS, it’s about MONEY FRAUD AND TAX FRAUD, both federal offenses. The FBI and IRS are investigating her financial history, not whether or not she cared properly for any horses. I just wish she was dealing used cars instead of horses.
Valerie
Well said Robynne! The fact is the horses were used in her scam and you all are trying to justify your actions having fallen for her scam – she made millions on these poor horses’ blood and preyed on your emotions – wake up people she and her “organization” are being investigated by the FBI and IRS – that’s some serious stuff – so STOP defending her – her actions are and were reprehensible!!
darlene supnick
I replied to the comment that any group who has right of first refusal clause is a legitimate group and AC4H had one unless they use two contracts. I am not defending anyone, just the horses I already have who are all fine. i don’t know if it is your group or another but I have been told that someone wants to shut down all groups who post horses and althought that would hurt the horrible people like this Rotz guy, what would happen to all those horses who people who are not even rescues post.Pro slaughter groups also want to shut down everyone who post out to rescue horses. I guess the answer will be when or if any arrests happen. I still say the answer is to pass the SAFE act and it will shut everyone down. I just think of all the horses I have and had I not taken them would they have shipped? They didn’t all come from AC4H so what is the answer. Even if I went to New Holland I would still be lining the pockets of these people living off the murder of our horses. What is your suggestion and where to these so called legit rescues get their horses, Craigs list, auctions etc. I am looking for ideas NOT arguments.
Sarah Rabinowitz Mognoni
Darlene is correct-the main issue here is not whether a particular 5013C is handling finanes correctly-if we go that route we must equally question The Humane Society’s salary structure for CEO’s, etc-this is a good thing to do but primarily we MUST be interested in shutting down the slaughter pipeline altogether and for that we need legislative action. Additionally we have to give the same right to live status to all animals-going meatless would be a great start. In short-AC4H is not the issue-saving lives is.
Valerie
You all are honestly missing the point and why you bleeding hearts get taken advantage of – you all need a dose of reality so maybe you can take off those fogged up rose color glasses and see what the reality is. Also there is legislation I have lobbied in Washington DC and bottom line this is and always will be about greed and the almighty dollar. Open your eyes. And yes all organizations including the HSUS are under scrutiny; whether by the IRS or the public.
darlene supnick
The entire country is based on greed and money so why is this any different? We live is a very sad sad world and animals and children suffer the most. If I get ripped off to save a horse, dog, cat that is my business and I would rather have rose colored glasses that the hate I see on some FB posts. People are skinning dogs alive, eating monkeys alive, baking dogs and cats working donkey babies in brick mines with exposed spines and so on so to me, if I can do anything to stop the suffering of one animal, at least I tried in my own way. Horses will get slaughtered and tortured until we pass laws to end it. One or two groups will not stop that. I don’t know why I even bother to answer these posts? We will never change eachothers mind so it is a total waste of time. Good luck everyone with whatever you do! They are voting on the SAFE act on the 15th and we should all spend our efforts and time on that.
Debra
Of course it is about greed, Valerie. No one denies this! It seems people who denigrate those who work to save animals from harm are always accused of wearing ‘rose colored glasses’ by those whose compassion level is less than. Don’t even try to pull that crap on the lot of people who are working their butts off trying to save horses from the various ends people would put them through. It is so insulting when the compassionate few are “taught” by the cold pragmatic bunch what all this means. Get over yourself, and work to save the weakest among us, or just keep your comments to yourself. The majority of us know that all of this is greed, that all of this blood letting, and horror is about the money a few would make. We are not stupid, oh wise one. We simply care so much, that if we cannot talk about it to people who are there too, our hearts would break. At the end of the day, it is people like you we fight. So don’t point out that HSUS is under investigation like it is some ridiculous rancher badge of glory; we know it. Work with us, or we work against you.
Debra
I mispoke. I am just fed up with people calling those with compassion as befogged, and befuddled. I apologize for reacting. I’ve been fighting all the different things to do with animal cruelty, and it wears one out.
Valerie
Rescue is not for the faint of heart; I have lost friends over an animal that I have had to say no to; now mind you I found him a good home but my friend wanted me to keep him and he wasn’t a good fit for me – its tough I am just glad I can filter a little bit and know when to say no
Sarah Rabinowitz Mognoni
To Valerie and others-“a good fit for me” does not enter into the mind of a true horseman or woman-all equines have intrinsic value and running a sanctuary for 62 of them I can assure you that it is precisely the animal who “is not a good fit” who has the most to teach you about life, horses, and humility.I wonder what the universe would be like had the parents of my severely disabled or autistic or Down’s students decided that their children were not “a good fit” for them. When a horse is presented to you for adoption, it is the universe’s way of giving you a clue to what you must do to evolve. You will always regret having said no.
Marcia Salazar
I have bailed or sponsored many horses and ponies from AC4H and I can assure you that the new owners are delighted…I get updates, pictures and letters letting me know how happy they are with their rescues and how much they thank me for saving them. These animals do not deserve the treatment they get during the slaughter process…at least AC4H gives them a chance! The negative posts I see against AC4H are so untrue and I wish people would see the GOOD that comes from rescues. If these “haters” feel the way they do, then next we will be slaughtering dogs to send to countries who eat them too! Stop bashing and give those of us who know the pleasure and relief that comes from rescue a chance to stop the slaughter in the first place!
jfinch
One thing that seems hard for people to accept is that there are two sides to every story. It is up to the court, when presented with the evidence, to make the final judgment.
Marcia Salazar
Perhaps…but if you took a “common vote” horse slaughter would be banned. Thus far, AC4H has not done anything wrong…they are saving lives!!!!! Otherwise, YOU are destroying them!
jfinch
“Otherwise, YOU are destroying them!” Wait. Otherwise “I” am destroying them? Sorry, that doesn’t make sense.
dlwillard
I recently contacted Christy because a girl from Western New York got a pregnant mare (Angel) from AC4H that other people sponsored or paid for and before the horse was even at her location she set up a website asking for donations to help with quarantine, shipping, supplements, and items for the foal (http://custersflower.weebly.com/index.html). I contacted Christy and told her that this person was only interested in the foal. I also asked if on the application they asked for employment records, home ownership records, and such but apparently they don’t care if you can take care of the horse, they just want the “bail out” money. I told Christy that the girl was going to wait for the horse to foal and then after the foal was born, sell it and sure enough, guess who is for sale w/o her foal. the girl, eventhough other people paid for this horse is asking for $500, but she has not let the possible owners know and according to the contract that has to be signed, that horse could be taken away if it is found that the owner does anything with it without the approval of AC4H. I doubt that AC4H will do anything but they should, supposedly this person cares so much about “rescue” animals but she bred for 3 more foals to be added to the population and just had one of her mares bred-back too.
jfinch
The FBI has asked all persons with information related to AC4H contact them with the details.
darlene supnick
I have taken 7 horses, 3 minis and 2 Donkeys from AC4H, and they were exactly what they were expected to be, slaughter bound horse, some in rough shape. They all thrived and some being shown now. I was asked for vet, farrier, dentist references and when I rehomed one pony they DID check on the person who was taking her. By all this negative publicity more horses are shipping so they are the innocent victims. We all hate the Kill Buyers but they will find horses if we get them from broker posts or not. We need to pass the SAFE act. Mix ups can happen at the broker lot and pick up barn with all the confusion. We need to put Rotz, Moore and the rest out of business. I am not sorry I saved them from AC4H, Camelot, Harkers, Craigs list and they were all worth the extra price I paid which is clearly stated in the fine print. It says these horses are owned by a Kill Buyer and they charge extra to video, ride and critique each horse along with pictures of teeth and U tube of horses ridden or walked. Horses shipping today could have been saved and if there is so much evidence why are there no arrests and why are they trying to make a case on FB, Email etc?
darlene supnick
One more thing. I have an AC4H mini in QT who is costing over $1000 so far but this horse never went to the pick up barn. That is the problem of the Broker not AC4H. She somehow missed the truck and I had to pay extra to get her out directly to the kill buyer. She had Strangles, which would not have been known by AC4H because they took the pictures the week be the swelling showed up. This is the fault of Brian Moore, the killer not AC4H and I do not blame them but the FBI agent confiscated all the records and papers and I can not get her registration papers. I have called the FBI agent and left messages and we played phone tag. I don’t blame anyone for the expense because I know going into this the negative possibilities. My question, is why aren’t they investigating the kill Buyer too since the mix ups seem to start there?