Runaway Ray Captures Hearts and Causes Urbanites Misunderstand Livestock Laws

In April a half-blind Shetland was found wandering in Key Peninsula area of Western Washington in pretty bad shape and covered in lice. A kind citizen took him in at her small farm dubbed him Runaway Ray and begin to look for his owners but because horses are livestock, the brand laws come into play — which is that if the owner can not be found — animal must be sold at livestock auction. This caused a huge hubaloo on social media with much outrage of not being able to adopt him directly — like a cat or a dog.
What then ensued is a prime example of well-meaning folks trying to fix something that isn’t broken — mainly the Washington State Brand Law. When livestock is found roaming or loose, a state brand inspector is contacted to attempt to find the owner. Which is a quite different process that ensues when a cat or dog is found.
So Ray was taken by the brand inspector and treated by a veterinarian but then was turned over to the Sales Pavilion in Enumclaw to be auctioned last week. That increased the social media buzz, misunderstanding and urbanite angst.
The story has a happy ending as the kindly citizen that found Ray, purchased him last Thursday at the sale for $625.
Repercussions though from urbanites not understanding livestock brand laws might ripple as State Representative Michelle Caldier who represents the Port Orchard district in which the pony was found has said she plans to propose legislation that would give more discretion in cases like Ray’s — and be able to place such animals with foster families and adopt them out and be able to avoid sending animal to auction when appropriate.