In February of 2007 Christine Philpott saved a horse named Willow from being sent to a “kill buyer” at an auction in Sugar Creek, Ohio. Philpott checked with government officials before deciding where Willow would stay. In 2007 there were NO laws that said that a horse could not reside in the city limits. Philpott
decided that Willow would live at home with her. She currently resides on the west end of Marion, Ohio on Waterloo Ave. This area of town is a densely populated area; however, Philpott has enough room for the horse in her yard and room to run in a small space.
But that is not good enough for a horse some might say. In 2010, Marion City Council passed a law stating that it is illegal to house a horse within the city limits. The law was put in effect because people believed that the city is not a place to raise farm animals. In most cases, it is true that a farm animal should be raised in the country where there is plenty of room for the animals. Animals need their space to run and get exercise which typically that space in found in the country and not the city. But in Philpott’s case, she takes Willow out and rides her on the streets often to give her exercise. Don’t believe anyone rides a horse in town? I was surprised, too, when I first saw them coming down the street one day. I live six blocks down from Philpott and Willow and I pass their house daily. She has a large fenced in yard but it is chain link so that anyone passing can see the horse. Every time we pass their house, my one-year old sister asks “mommy horsey?” Nearly everyone in the neighborhood enjoys seeing Willow.
Some people may say that they have known horses to be mean animals. As with any animal, there are incidents where the animal has caused harm to a person. In a typical situation, a person has irritated the animal to the point where there is nothing the animal can do. Willow is not a mean animal. Children are able to walk up to her and pet her. One of the kids’ favorite things to do is feed her apples. What are we supposed to tell these children if Willow has to leave? She has never done anything to make one think she could be a vicious animal. In fact, several people in the neighborhood did not even know that she lived there. Willow has also never hurt anyone or anything, but yet, my puppy was outside playing and another dog came over and killed it and we were told that there was nothing that could be done because it was the first offense. Why does the government think that this kind and loving horse should be removed when it has done nothing, but this dog can stay right where it is and we have to worry about my little sister being allowed out to play because she would be defenseless to a dog attack? Willow is an amazing animal the kids love to stop and visit.
Some also think that there would be a terrible smell coming from Philpott’s home due to Willow. When an animal is improperly cared for, a smell can become an issue. But as being a resident nearby, I have never had an issue with a smell. A neighbor that lives a few homes down from Philpott states, “As well with living so close I have not ever wanted to complain about any kinda smell coming from Willow's Acre.” Now why would Willow have to be removed if there are no complaints coming from neighbors? People do complain about houses smelling due to cats and dogs but nothing ever happens to those that have these pets. Philpott takes wonderful care of Willow. She is no different than a pet and should not be moved from her home.
Christine Philpott has done nothing wrong and should not be forced to give up her pride and joy that she has spent her time and hard earned money on. If Marion City Council is so worried about making this town a better place to live, start with the drugs, especially in the west end. Nearly every day we hear about another person overdosing and dying or being murdered over drugs. And then you have the children who have parents that are addicts and abuse their children and nothing ever happens to them. That is harmful to the child, but Willow has done nothing wrong and they want her out Marion. If anything Willow is an asset to the community, ask anyone that lives close. The kids love her more than they like most of the people in the neighborhood. In my opinion, if Marion wants to complain about Willow then they should do something about all of the other issues with animals in the city. There are several people in the surrounding neighborhood that could use some lessons in how to care for their animals and themselves. Philpott rescued Willow and she has taken excellent care of her ever since. To remove Willow from her home on Waterloo Ave. would be a mistake. This should be the least of Marion’s worries.
decided that Willow would live at home with her. She currently resides on the west end of Marion, Ohio on Waterloo Ave. This area of town is a densely populated area; however, Philpott has enough room for the horse in her yard and room to run in a small space.
But that is not good enough for a horse some might say. In 2010, Marion City Council passed a law stating that it is illegal to house a horse within the city limits. The law was put in effect because people believed that the city is not a place to raise farm animals. In most cases, it is true that a farm animal should be raised in the country where there is plenty of room for the animals. Animals need their space to run and get exercise which typically that space in found in the country and not the city. But in Philpott’s case, she takes Willow out and rides her on the streets often to give her exercise. Don’t believe anyone rides a horse in town? I was surprised, too, when I first saw them coming down the street one day. I live six blocks down from Philpott and Willow and I pass their house daily. She has a large fenced in yard but it is chain link so that anyone passing can see the horse. Every time we pass their house, my one-year old sister asks “mommy horsey?” Nearly everyone in the neighborhood enjoys seeing Willow.
Some people may say that they have known horses to be mean animals. As with any animal, there are incidents where the animal has caused harm to a person. In a typical situation, a person has irritated the animal to the point where there is nothing the animal can do. Willow is not a mean animal. Children are able to walk up to her and pet her. One of the kids’ favorite things to do is feed her apples. What are we supposed to tell these children if Willow has to leave? She has never done anything to make one think she could be a vicious animal. In fact, several people in the neighborhood did not even know that she lived there. Willow has also never hurt anyone or anything, but yet, my puppy was outside playing and another dog came over and killed it and we were told that there was nothing that could be done because it was the first offense. Why does the government think that this kind and loving horse should be removed when it has done nothing, but this dog can stay right where it is and we have to worry about my little sister being allowed out to play because she would be defenseless to a dog attack? Willow is an amazing animal the kids love to stop and visit.
Some also think that there would be a terrible smell coming from Philpott’s home due to Willow. When an animal is improperly cared for, a smell can become an issue. But as being a resident nearby, I have never had an issue with a smell. A neighbor that lives a few homes down from Philpott states, “As well with living so close I have not ever wanted to complain about any kinda smell coming from Willow's Acre.” Now why would Willow have to be removed if there are no complaints coming from neighbors? People do complain about houses smelling due to cats and dogs but nothing ever happens to those that have these pets. Philpott takes wonderful care of Willow. She is no different than a pet and should not be moved from her home.
Christine Philpott has done nothing wrong and should not be forced to give up her pride and joy that she has spent her time and hard earned money on. If Marion City Council is so worried about making this town a better place to live, start with the drugs, especially in the west end. Nearly every day we hear about another person overdosing and dying or being murdered over drugs. And then you have the children who have parents that are addicts and abuse their children and nothing ever happens to them. That is harmful to the child, but Willow has done nothing wrong and they want her out Marion. If anything Willow is an asset to the community, ask anyone that lives close. The kids love her more than they like most of the people in the neighborhood. In my opinion, if Marion wants to complain about Willow then they should do something about all of the other issues with animals in the city. There are several people in the surrounding neighborhood that could use some lessons in how to care for their animals and themselves. Philpott rescued Willow and she has taken excellent care of her ever since. To remove Willow from her home on Waterloo Ave. would be a mistake. This should be the least of Marion’s worries.
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