Companion Animals or Livestock?

[cinch]

During all the slaughter debate weren't horses declared as companion animals and not livestock?

[joseph]

here in arkansas there considered live stock because you dont have to pay tax's on feed for live stock like you have to with dogs or cats.

[BUDDYSGIRL]

I personally consider them livestock until some one makes them a companion. I'm not sure what is declared here in Missouri.

[mart]

They are livestock here in Texas !!

[cinch]

Originally Posted by joseph

here in arkansas there considered live stock because you dont have to pay tax's on feed for live stock like you have to with dogs or cats.

In Arkansas EVERYTHING is taxed and taxed yet again. All the feed stores charge sales tax UNLESS you declare yourself a business and file business tax (yes more taxes) returns. even then you must show a profit after 3 years (I think it's still 3 years) so that they can tax (again) you on that profit. This profit doesn't have to be cash. They will put a value on awards and consider that a profit. Gooberment wants it all.

[moodygirl]

Horses are Livestock according to the state code in West Virginia. I know this because my !@#%^"** neighbor threatened to call the sheriff on me because my 2 horses wandered on his property (for 10-15 min. & did no damage.) I told him the sheriff would laugh at him. So I looked up livestock tresspassing in CURRENT state law. The fine for cattle & horses is 20 cents per head, per day to reimburse for damages. The fine for pigs & goats is 10 cents per day. HAH! So legally they are livestock but I think you could make a good arguement for equine service animals (mini horses in the house) as companions.

They tax absolutely everything in WV. You never really own anything; you are just renting it from the state. They have this Personal Property Tax where the number of farm animals you have, 4 wheelers, boats, sattelite dishes, farm equipment, swimming pool, automobiles, motorcycles, etc., etc., etc. As long as you own these items you pay a yearly tax. You have to provide proof you paid you personal property tax when you renew your car tags. No proof, no tags! Your house will be auctioned on the court house steps if you don't pay the real estate taxes within one year of their due date.

[mart]

Darn !!! Wouldn`t want to live there !!!!

[Mistersmomma]

The state of Missouri is like that too. Here your taxes will go up for each bathroom you have in the house too. They tax you to death.

[moodygirl]

I think taxes are the most burdonsome in the poor states. Because there is not enough industry or business to pay taxes so they tax the people in numerous ways. When I first moved here 15 yrs. ago I went to the DMV to get my WV tags. I was told it would be hundreds of dollars, I've blocked the actual amount from my memory. We had to pay sales tax on every vehicle based on Blue Book value! It seemed unconstitutional to me. I mean they were bought and paid for, sales tax paid in another state. And they want people to move here and the college grads to come home. I ranted and raved, wrote letters, and gave the DMV the last of our savings. They finally did away with the law 2 yrs. ago. Thank God.

[westmar]

It is a mixed bag of...crap. There are portions of California [to my knowledge] that have certain counties that state their horses as 'pets'. Northern Ca, is prolific.
I am unclear as to the status of horses in California, though horses cannot be shipped for intended human consumption.
Here in Montana, horses are still livestock, we have to follow the livestock rules.
To differentiate between the 'Pet' and 'Livestock' Laws, is to be vigilent and pay attention to ALL Bills proposed-Livestock or healthcare, it's hidden: May not, or may, have the issue at hand proposed.....many things related and unrelated can be attached to a bill.....inwhich the proponents for livestock rulings will and can keep us apraised if we find and notify them with our support.
Local AQHA is a good bet to be notified on a friggen Bill that has 'livestock', "Pet" attatchments.
They have the people and funds to check where the 'bill' may be hiding. Believe me it hides and it is damn near a computer virus as far as attatching to new bills.....

My suggestion is to be vigilent and find the association who holds your views, they have the clout, money and visiable support....back them in order to voice your opinion!