On Tuesday, February 20, 2001, Arlow Kiehl was traveling on I-81 (Barker, Broome County, NY) when he was stopped in the early morning hours for illegally transporting horses in a double deck cattle trailer. The 12 horses and mules he was transporting had been purchased at a PA livestock auction.
New York State Police Troopers Johnson, Riegal & Dengler charged Kiehl with 8 counts of each of New York State's Ag & Markets Law:
359-a 1.(a)
The interiors of compartments containing horses shall be constructed of smooth
materials, containing no sharp objects or protrusions which are hazardous;
359-a 1(g) Each compartment containing horses shall be of such height so as to allow sufficient clearance above the poll and withers of each horse in the compartment;
359-a 2. Every vehicle utilized for the transportation of more than six horses over a highway shall have no more than one tier holding animals in the compartment containing horses.
Initially, a court appearance had been scheduled for Friday April 20, 2001 on the 32 misdemeanor counts of illegal transport of horses in violation of New York State's Agriculture & Markets Law, Section 359-a A conviction could mean possible jail time and a maximum fine of $1000.00 for each count
The case was adjourned to Wednesday, September 19, 2001. On September 19, 2001, all cases scheduled were adjourned. Kiehl’s new court date was then set for December 21, 2001.
According to the Broome County District Attorney's office, Keihl did not appear in court in December 2001. Instead he pled guilty, by mail, to one misdemeanor charge. He now faces a $1,000 fine and a conditional discharge, which means no jail sentence at this time. However, under a conditional discharge, Kiehl’s activity will be monitored for one year in lieu of imposed jail time. Should Kiehl be caught once again illegally transporting horses in his double decker cattle trailer, the courts can find him in violation of his conditional discharge.
This is not the first time Kiehl has been arrested in the state of New York under Section 359-a of the New York Agriculture and Markets Law.
Folks, keep your eyes open. If you see Kiehl on the road illegally transporting horses in a double deck cattle trailer, please notify local law enforcement authorities immediately. Please note the road being traveled (along with cross road or mile marker), the time, the direction, and if possible estimated speed, so officers can effectively respond.
We need to send a strong and clear message to the owners and operators of double deck cattle trailers - we will not tolerate cruel and illegal transportation of equines!
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