By Steve Zalusky | Daily herald
Palatine Stables supporters raised concerns this week about the welfare of the horses that must change homes when the facility closes at the end of November.
Park commissioners voted 4-1 at Monday’s meeting to declare as surplus property and relocate the park district’s 12 horses and 15 ponies.
The ordinance calls for the relocation to occur by donation or “the most humane course of action based on veterinarian recommendation.”
The no vote came from Sue Gould, who has been a staunch opponent of closing the stables. Gould took the relocation ordinance off the consent agenda so it could be discussed.
“This is horse abuse,” she said, adding that horses are herd animals that not only get used to the other horses, but children and the people who feed and water them.
Gould said the horses belong to taxpayers.
“Every resident is a part owner of those horses and ponies,” she said. “And what we’re proposing to do to them is abuse.”
Gould tried to get the matter tabled, but failed to get a second.
The large and angry crowd of stables supporters at Palatine village hall cheered as Gould lashed out at fellow commissioners for not responding to the steady stream of speakers at Monday’s meeting.
“These people should be listened to, because you’re doing a really lousy job of it,” she said.
The park district said the rehousing process is being handled by the barn manager at the stables and stables staff.
Read more here.
Related: “Park district outlines plan for closing down Palatine Stables,” “Closure of Palatine Stables to move ahead following revote,” “Hold your horses: Park district taking another look at Palatine Stables,” “Citing ‘unfortunate reality,’ park district closing Palatine Stables this fall”
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