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Dr. Clara Mason

A year after receiving her veterinary degree from Mississippi State University in 1992, Dr. Clara Mason opened her ambulatory veterinary practice in Winfield, W. Va., and soon became entwined in an equine cruelty case that would commence a quarter-century commitment to abused and at-risk horses in the state. 

The outcome, in which one horse was euthanized and two others rescued and rehomed, and the ensuing court case inspired the August honoree of the AAEP’s Good Works Clara Masonfor Horses Campaign to work with state legislators to enact more stringent animal cruelty laws. Despite fortified laws, however, enforcement remained problematic due to limited resources among police departments and humane societies as well as a general ignorance of what horse abuse looks like.

Dr. Mason began educating sheriff’s departments in her region and serving as a guest speaker for several equine rescue organizations that host educational events for law enforcement. Dr. Mason typically speaks on the topics of dentistry, body condition and premises warning signs that should trigger further investigation. Attendees are provided gift bags that contain weight tapes, thermometers, body condition score charts and other tools to assist with equine cruelty cases.

She assists on-site with cruelty investigations once or twice per month, and typically appears in court once per month to aid with prosecution of such cases. 

“Most prosecutors are familiar with human issues but more than likely have never prosecuted an equine case,” said Dr. Mason. “Make an appointment to sit with the prosecutor and show them the difference between an abused horse and a healthy horse, what is allowable and not allowable, humane and not humane. Typically, that will resolve most of the issues the prosecutor may have with the case.”

Equine cruelty cases often get delayed for up to a year before going to trial so Dr. Mason takes as many photographs on-site as possible to not only help make the case in court but to assist with information recall. Photos document all food and water sources—or lack thereof—as well as the body condition of each horse with its name, date, time, temperature and estimated weight written on an erasable board that appears in each photo.

“Dr. Mason has been instrumental in aiding numerous county officials in equine neglect and cruelty cases for many years,” said her Good Works nominator Tinia Creamer, founder and executive director of Heart of Phoenix Rescue. “Her expertise has proven vital time and again to gaining justice for horses across West Virginia.” 

Dr. Mason willingly shares her experience and knowledge with fellow practitioners. She has presented on the topic of prosecuting cases of equine abuse at the AAEP’s annual convention; and, while a member of the AAEP’s Welfare and Public Policy Advisory Council, she was part of a team that in 2018 created comprehensive online resources to help AAEP members work with clients and law enforcement to prevent equine abuse and neglect. Dr. Mason also serves as the AAEP’s representative to the AVMA’s Animal Welfare Committee.