Lola The Stolen Horse - Legal Fund
Donation protected
25"Lola was last seen October 1, 2013 around 5:30pm. Two women driving a black pickup pulling a white Kingston Trailer (had block lettering and a horse decal) came to the barn. The barn staff were not present in the quick pick up of Lola. There were a couple young pony clubbers who saw the women take the horse and went to an adult but it was too late Lola was gone. The facility Lola was boarded at is a large training barn with horses coming in and out all of the time, it isn't uncommon for horses to come and go especially on the first of the month.
The suspect has admitted to taking Lola and a complaint has been issued for trespassing, breaking and entering, and larceny but she has not disclosed the location of Lola. Several years ago we have learned the suspect lost ownership of Lola after not paying board for 4 years . Lola was eventually sold to Bradford Equestrian Center and then sold to Dianne Heeley in 2011. This farm has been her home were she has been loved like a child for the past two years.
Dianne went to court Thursday morning in an attempt to get an injunction and have Lola returned to BEC. It was refused in Civil Court and was refused in Criminal Court. How is it that a stolen car is impounded but a stolen horse has no status and no recourse? That being said, the Clerk of Courts has said he will do his best to get a quick hearing date. But it's not quick enough. The police have made some progress and have been in contact with Jason who was her former owner. He is truly a wonderful man and is fully cooperating with the police. The courts are not really able to handle the intricacies of horse ownership and until the legal owner can be determined at a hearing they cannot force Andrea to bring Lola home. The police say it's a matter of innocent until proven guilty..."
(Paraphrased from Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Lolastolen)
* * * * * *
Lola has NOT yet been returned to Dianne Heeley. In fact, this has now turned into a legal battle for custody of the horse. Dianne Heeley is the legal owner with a bill of sale to prove it, yet the legal system has failed her thus far. Attorney Kathleen Reagan will be handling Dianne's case to fight to get Lola back. As if owning a horse wasn't expensive enough.. the cost of hiring an attorney is overwhelming. Please donate to help Dianne Heeley get her beloved Lola back where she belongs!
Please note that 100% of donations go directly to Dianne Heeley. GoFundMe.com takes a 5% fee for collecting funds and issuing the check so the breakdown is as follows:
Estimated Attorney Fees: $3,000
GoFundMe.Com Fee: $150
There are over 1,000 followers of Dianne's story on Facebook. If each of us were to donate $4 to her cause - less than the price of a bale of hay - then Dianne would have more than enough for her legal costs.
What is this was your horse? What kind of legal precedent will this case set for equine owners in general? Even if you don't know Dianne personally, this is a cause worth helping! Thank you for your consideration.
Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lolastolen
The suspect has admitted to taking Lola and a complaint has been issued for trespassing, breaking and entering, and larceny but she has not disclosed the location of Lola. Several years ago we have learned the suspect lost ownership of Lola after not paying board for 4 years . Lola was eventually sold to Bradford Equestrian Center and then sold to Dianne Heeley in 2011. This farm has been her home were she has been loved like a child for the past two years.
Dianne went to court Thursday morning in an attempt to get an injunction and have Lola returned to BEC. It was refused in Civil Court and was refused in Criminal Court. How is it that a stolen car is impounded but a stolen horse has no status and no recourse? That being said, the Clerk of Courts has said he will do his best to get a quick hearing date. But it's not quick enough. The police have made some progress and have been in contact with Jason who was her former owner. He is truly a wonderful man and is fully cooperating with the police. The courts are not really able to handle the intricacies of horse ownership and until the legal owner can be determined at a hearing they cannot force Andrea to bring Lola home. The police say it's a matter of innocent until proven guilty..."
(Paraphrased from Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Lolastolen)
* * * * * *
Lola has NOT yet been returned to Dianne Heeley. In fact, this has now turned into a legal battle for custody of the horse. Dianne Heeley is the legal owner with a bill of sale to prove it, yet the legal system has failed her thus far. Attorney Kathleen Reagan will be handling Dianne's case to fight to get Lola back. As if owning a horse wasn't expensive enough.. the cost of hiring an attorney is overwhelming. Please donate to help Dianne Heeley get her beloved Lola back where she belongs!
Please note that 100% of donations go directly to Dianne Heeley. GoFundMe.com takes a 5% fee for collecting funds and issuing the check so the breakdown is as follows:
Estimated Attorney Fees: $3,000
GoFundMe.Com Fee: $150
There are over 1,000 followers of Dianne's story on Facebook. If each of us were to donate $4 to her cause - less than the price of a bale of hay - then Dianne would have more than enough for her legal costs.
What is this was your horse? What kind of legal precedent will this case set for equine owners in general? Even if you don't know Dianne personally, this is a cause worth helping! Thank you for your consideration.
Link to Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lolastolen
Organizer
Dianne Heeley
Organizer
Haverhill, MA
