It was a scene right out of a movie. I couldn't tell if we were extras in a Comedy or Drama, but it was definitely a Horror. And this time there aren't any golden awards.

Horror is a fascinating thing for most of us, especially when it's happening to someone else. The twist on this particular story is where the whole thing was taking place - and the cast of characters. Who would think a rural farming community would treat its horse loving neighbors with such disrespect?

Perhaps things in rural America are out of control. New residents in small, but swanky, developments carved out of a former cornfield are "upset" because the man on a 70 acre property a half mile away raises dogs. Never mind that they can't see the building from their places without looking out an attic window. Never mind that his farm is clean and neat. Never mind that they don't hear dogs barking or that none of them has ever been inside his kennel building. They're "offended and something must be done!"

Remember the story about the woman in Puritan days, scorned for her love affair? The one who had to wear the scarlet letter "A" sewn onto her clothes identifying her as an adulteress? Well, the letter that went out to kennels in the township wasn't scarlet in color, but behind it was a woman with a temper. She had moved into one of those fancy houses a year or so ago, lost her job at a lawyer's office and was filled with rage. "It's those dogs!" she told her husband about country smells as they drove around. In truth, it was pig manure. One would think a real horsewoman would know the difference.

At her insistence, a letter was issued by the zoning office, informing seven state and federally licensed kennels in the township that they were breaking the law. "What law?" the kennel owners asked, from miles around. "The one we made about ten years ago," they were told. "You need special permission." Kennel owners had to pay $400 each for the right to present their cases and ask for "variances" to be issued for their properties.
Hearings were set.

As the quasi-lawyer woman looked on with satisfaction, case after case was heard over the next several months. Pleading for their livelihoods before a panel of judges, dog breeders answered invasive questions and fielded high-handed remarks from an attorney, a zoning officer and three commissioners as a gentle stenographer clicked away. Comments directed to them from the crowd and letters to the editor were rude, disrespectful and inconsiderate as they pressured the zoning board to make the "Ethical" decision. Interesting catch-phrase, "Ethical treatment." It's got a familiar ring to it, doesn't it?

How does this relate to horses? It relates because, while we are busy enjoying our horses and all that they mean to us, organizations pretending to be "pro-animal" are flocking to our legislative authorities with all kinds of complaints using people like the out-of-work lawyer wanna-be.

What's it all about? In the long run, who knows. But, according to the National Animal Interests Alliance (N.A.I.A.), various states around the country are catching on. If you think Al-Queda is the only terrorist group out there, check out the N.A.I.A. website and think again. After that, there should be no doubt in your mind that organizations founded for the protection of our animals have been infiltrated by militants out to break down our animal-related sports and industries. But, after more than twenty years of "gorilla attacks" on private breeders, farms, stables, research projects, racetracks - you name it - state and local governments are taking a new look at such interference and finally calling it what it is: Terrorism.

Those hearings for the kennel owners? Too bad the zoning officials didn't have a copy of the "mobster list" from the N.A.I.A. website (naiaonline.org). Scattered among the crowd, their insulting remarks being written into the public record, were animal militants who don't even live in the township and have never set foot inside those kennels. It's interesting that none of the "judges" sitting on the panel have, either.

I should know: One of those kennels is my own.

Mr. Hevener's new novel, "High Stakes." Pre-orders are being taken now on the website with an estimated shipping date of June 10, 2005.

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Reprinted with permission. Author/Artist, Ron Hevener, is owner of one of the oldest kennels in the U.S. - Lochranza Kennels. He is the author of "The Blue Ribbon" - "Fate of the Stallion" and "High Stakes." His collectible figurines and watercolor prints are sought at dog, cat and horse shows everywhere. See more at www.ronhevener.com