More than 25 horse owners, veterinarians, law enforcement officials and interested individuals attended a three-hour presentation Monday in Butler regarding equine abuse and neglect investigation.

The event was hosted by the Western Pennsylvania Farm Alliance, which formed as a result of the seizure of several horses in and around the county during the past year.

The group formed to combat what it calls “storming” of members’ farms by Pam Vivirito, owner of Equine Angels Rescue. Its members say Vivirito used intimidation and false reports of neglect to have frightened horse owners sign their animals over for seizure.

Five of the horse owners who had animals seized by state police and taken to Equine Angels Rescue in Cabot are suing Vivirito in federal court, claiming Vivirito’s organization orchestrated the criminal charges to take animals and to garner publicity.

District Attorney Rich Goldinger, who recently dropped all abuse and neglect charges against three horse owners whose animals were taken by state police and placed at Equine Angels Rescue, attended the forum on Monday at Monarch Place on Brugh Avenue.

Goldinger is forming a committee on horse neglect and abuse, and said before the presentation that he plans to outline protocol for investigating abuse and neglect cases.

Speaker Colleen Shelly, a former state trooper who is the owner and chief training officer at the Animal Crime Institute in Fogelsville, Pa., said she would not discuss the specific situation with Equine Angels Rescue during her presentation because she did not know enough about it.

But Shelly said after the presentation that some rescue owners lack an understanding of the actions they are authorized to take regarding perceived neglect.

“I think a lot of it just stems from a lack of understanding and what’s needed to bring a case forward,” Shelly said, “and sometimes that’s not what they seem on the surface.”

Shelly shared guidelines and laws regarding neglect and abuse, and encouraged alliance members to use the information to put themselves, law enforcement, veterinarians, the district attorney and rescue facilities on the same page regarding investigating cases.

Shelly said in Pennsylvania, state and municipal police have full enforcement authority for violations of state crime code regarding animals.

Humane society officers also are authorized to investigate and issue citations on animal neglect and abuse.

She said according to the state cruelty to animals law, horse owners in Pennsylvania must not deprive an animal of necessary sustenance, drink, shelter or veterinary care.

Knowledgeable investigators, Shelly said, would consider all information when investigating a case of cruelty, as the term can be subjective.

“Just possessing a skinny animal is not against the law,” Shelly said. “The question is ‘why?’”

She said according to the law, officers must determine whether the horse owner consciously disregarded a known substantial risk to the animal or if they wantonly or cruelly ill-treated the animal.

Shelly also said unlike those for dogs, equine rescue facilities in Pennsylvania are not monitored or regulated by any government agency.

“That’s very important, because anybody can have a horse rescue,” Shelly said.

Shelly then showed a series of photographs showing horses in various conditions, and described the Henneke Body Scoring System used by veterinarians and other experts to determine a horse’s condition.

A score of one represents the most emaciated a horse can be, with the highest score of nine being an obese horse.

Photographs of horses in various conditions were presented by Shelly on a projector, including an extremely emaciated horse that received the lowest Henneke score, and an obese pony whose untrimmed, upturned hooves were placing strain on his tendons.

Many at the event were interested in learning the Henneke scores for horses in the various photos because, according to alliance member Brian Arendosh, Vivirito gave almost all of the horses she took the lowest score.

Arendosh said after the presentation that his horses were at least a three or four when they were seized and taken to Equine Angels Rescue.

Shelly also discussed care guidelines for equine rescue and retirement facilities created by the American Association of Equine Practitioners. The guidelines cover important dental, hoof and parasite care as well as nutrition, shelter, outdoor enclosures and geriatric horse care.

She encouraged alliance members to study the guidelines and observe one another’s farms to ensure the recommendations are being met on farms in and around Butler County.

“You’re going to be in good shape if you are following the guidelines,” Shelly said.

After the presentation, alliance member Elan Welter-Lewis said Shelly provided a great overview of acceptable horse care. She appreciated the booklet of guidelines Shelly provided, which she said the alliance will now share with farmers throughout the county.

“Part of our mission is to bring education to local farmers,” Welter-Lewis said.

Goldinger said he appreciated the information on the Henneke score, which could be a useful tool in investigating alleged neglect.

“(The presentation) helped me in getting an investigative protocol, so that what’s happened in the last six months will not happen again,” Goldinger said, referring to the neglect cases brought to his office and dismissed.

Goldinger’s wife is a horse enthusiast and rider, and the couple keeps two animals at their home.

Horse owner and alliance member Mindy Kaufold of West Sunbury said Shelly made state laws and regulations understandable. Kaufold said many alliance members were interested in regulations on the shelter required for horses, which she was glad Shelly discussed.

She said the alliance was formed to help not only horses, but their owners. Kaufold said alliance members will help strapped horse owners with hay, will muck stalls for horse owners and caregivers who are injured or ill, or even help find a place for a horse that must be surrendered due to financial difficulty.

“Anything that will benefit the horse,” she said.