Neb. town of Hickman wants Peter Rabbit, the aging horse, banished from his pasture. Horse owner 76-year-old Harley Scott says he would be lost without the 32-year-old horse
Categories: Animal Rights,Human Rights,National,Politics,Economics,news
"I feel bad for the poor horse. He's probably going to die soon anyway," said Jamie Cox, who manages the town bar, Sadie's Place. "As long as he's being taken care of, they should leave him alone."
Hickman, once a sleepy farm town, has become a bedroom community for the capital city of Lincoln and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Nebraska.
With houses having sprung up around Peter Rabbit's pasture, Mayor Jim Hrouda and five of the six City Council members are determined to enforce the livestock ban. Shortly after a council meeting Tuesday, the horse's owner, 76-year-old Harley Scott, was served an eviction notice that orders the animal off the land.
Scott said he has no intention of complying with the Sept. 15 deadline. He faces the prospect of being fined up to $100 a day if he's convicted of violating the ordinance.
Longtime council member Robert Harms said the livestock ordinance dates to 1988. Harms said another horse, not owned by Scott, was removed shortly after the ordinance passed. Harms said allowing Peter Rabbit to stay would make it difficult to keep other livestock out.
Scott said he has raised Peter Rabbit since the brown Morgan-quarter horse crossbreed was born in his pasture in the spring of 1976. Scott said there have been horses on the land since his father bought 40 acres in 1935.
Only about 4 acres remain in the family. The rest has been sold to developers.
Scott's land was annexed in 2006, but Harley said no one said anything to him at the time about having to give up the horse.
Scott said Peter Rabbit, who is as healthy as a 32-year-old horse can be, is too old to move. Horses have a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years.
"He could drop dead today," Scott said. "I would prefer to have him remain as stable as he is and be able to enjoy his life. I like to go out and pet him. It's just a matter of feeding and petting him. I would be totally lost at the point where he disappears from the scene."
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On the Net:
City of Hickman: http://www.hickman.ne.gov/
Article: HERE
I would hope this town shows compassion for this old man and his older horse. They have been together since the horse was born.It would be inhuman to separate them now. In my opinion the solution would be to let this old horse stay in his pasture until his death, which probably won't be much longer.Make a special ordinance for him alone, excluding all others. He would be famous, the last horse in a one horse town. They might even have tourist come to see him!
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I agree; that is a fantastic idea! Thanks for your comment, Hummingbird
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i agree hummingbirg!!
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this is a shame!!that this could happen, mr.scott was there first,you can"t move in ,and decide you don't like what is next door,and say that has to go!!!they moved in on him.my prayers are with mr scott,a voice from tn.
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mr,scott,is getting a bad shake i'm on your side buddy.from maine
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how can anybody sleep at nite?that can tell a old man and his horse,you will have to go!!I would not won't to give a count for that.a horse lover
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I won't be vising,hickman,neb.if you can do that to a old man who has lived there all his life,not a place I care to see.wv
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the town should be ashsmed,we are in the U S A ..tn
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The town officials should be totally ashamed of themselves. They are just another example why people dislike and distrust government. Shame on them. I hope they will reconsider their decision. Certainly the town could rally behind these two long time citizens and put up enough of a stink that the horse can live out his few remaining years in his home.
Glad I live in Maine and not Hickman, NE
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Citiots Evict Horse ! Typical!
Citiots move to the country to get away from the city, then try to turn it into the city they just left.
Shame on Hickman Town Council !!!
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Laws and rules have items "grandfathered" in all the time. I'd hope that a 32-year old horse born & raised on the same land could be grandfathered to this particular ordinance.
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I agree with everyone. Leave this horse were it is. I am from dublin, ireland and my God, if they can treat an old horse and its owner like this in a small city, then i never want to visit the states. All of my family and friends agree. this will give the US a bad name with animal lovers in Ireland
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"cmon" the dumbiest of politicians would "grandfather"this horse.and let him stay,,i wonder if this is obama "change",or just good old republican "stupidity,,,looks like common sense has left 1084 souls or was that assouls..
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Someone one PLEASE let me know what is going on there.
I can't find any info.
Have they made a decision.
Are they still going to ruin lives and NOT live up to their real responsibiliies to the animal and the earth!
Or, are their pockets worth more than life and liberty.
We need Obama, that's NEED, I need health ins. and Social Security and my animals and plants.
Sure you can trust the government...
just ask an indian!
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Good points... I have not heard anything more about this story either... let me see if I can track any info down. Any readers who know what is happening, please update us
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Unfortunately, the Hickman City Council voted on December 9, 2008 to authorize the City Attorney to proceed with the process of evicting the horse. I guess we'll go to court.
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Cheryl, this is awful news. Thank you for the update. Please keep us informed about what transpires...
Why will they not give this one horse, who has been there for 32 years, an exemption? They rezoned only recently; that is not the owner or the horse's fault...
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They made Peter Rabbit leave his home of 32 years on Thursday 2/5/09
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No! How awful; I am very sorry to hear this. Thanks for the update Jan... do you know if there is any way to appeal the decision?
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