TWHBEA President David Pruett contacted the Walking Horse Report this afternoon and stated he had no knowledge of the petition at the time when the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association (TWHBEA) released their official response.

According to Pruett, he was contacted by TWHBEA Executive Director Stan Butt and told that TWHBEA had been contacted regarding the “stepped up enforcement of the Horse Protection Act,” and had been asked to comment.

The Report has learned that Pat Raia contacted Butt on August 4, 2010 after receiving a press release from the Humane Society of the United States regarding the petition filed.  Raia invited Butt or whomever he deemed appropriate to comment on the petition.

Earlier today Butt confirmed being contacted by The Horse magazine for a quote relative to the USDA petition.  He stated that he contacted President Pruett that same day about the matter and issued the controversial release the following morning.