Raffling off a horse (legalities)

[show_jumper]

hi everyone - we're trying to raise some money on a yard near us and were going to raffle off a horse as the main prize (like they did at hand once)....just wondering if anyone knew what the legalities were for this? other than making sure the winner is capable and confident to care for the horse???
thanks

 

[annaellie]

Am not sure of legalities, but when I was younger a local riding school used to do this every year, the lady used to go down to beeston sales and buy a load of sec d foals to sell on she bought them for peanuts and used to sell them on but she would always take 1 out and raffle it off, she made a fortune on it.

 

[Shilasdair]

It is completely illegal for you to do so.
If you give me a moment, I'll find the law that you are breaking.
B

 

[timmy1977]

as far as i am aware Hand didnt do it in the end they said they hadnt sold enough tickets, it was 25 a ticket, i wonder how many people didnt bother getting there money back i know i didnt, probably not a bad little earner for them.

 

[CracklinRosie]

Apart from possibly being illegal I would say this is also irresponsible and immoral. Think there may be a lot of strong feelings on this here and maybe you are trying to get a rise out of us?

 

[Shilasdair]

Right, in Scotland it is against the law - see extract below.
(I don't know where you live).
B

Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 11)
Part 2—Animal welfare
31 Offering animals as prizes
(1) A person commits an offence if the person offers or gives an animal to another person as
a prize.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where the prize is offered or given in a family context.

 

[JaneMBE]

Think it applies all over shils

Animal Welfare Bill

bit irresponsible really imo

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
Think it applies all over shils

Animal Welfare Bill

bit irresponsible really imo

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, you are right.
And as an additional barrier, the organisers may have to pay a fee to register themselves with the gambling commission, if the raffle is deemed a 'lottery' (see below).
All in all, a very bad idea in terms of public relations, and animal welfare.
B

http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/Client/faq_detail.asp?id=97&sector=0

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I don't even think you can give goldfish as fairground prizes any more (thank god). Legalities aside, who in their right mind FFF would offer a bloody HORSE as a raffle prize???? Are you mad??? It's a living creature FGS and needs money, a home, knowledge etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc or it will end up on a meat wagon somewhere.

I've got a better idea. Why not just offer as the prize the opportunity to send a horse to an abattoir? Cut out the middle step? Be a lot quicker and less torment for the poor bloody horse.

Jeez.

 

[Ginger_Thing]

If it is illegal to give an animal as a prize, how does 'Your Horse' magazine get away with their 'win a horse' competition?

Is it because they have to pass selection tests, assessments etc? I suppose they don't actually give 'a horse' as a prize, they buy one for the winner of the comp?

 

[JaneMBE]

yeh that's the way i read it Ginger.
They buy the horse for the winner, not actually have a horse ready wrapped as a prize.

 

[charlotte24]

Raffling a horse thats just madness...
Do you not care who will end up owning the horse its crazy.
Cant you raffle of something like a saddle or something??

 

[Stinkbomb]

[ QUOTE ]
other than making sure the winner is capable and confident to care for the horse???


[/ QUOTE ]

How are you going to do this exactly??? If they have bought a ticket and won, they have won, regardless of whether they are capable of looking after it. Despite being illegal its totally immoral to raffle a live creature.

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
yeh that's the way i read it Ginger.
They buy the horse for the winner, not actually have a horse ready wrapped as a prize.

[/ QUOTE ]

They aren't actually taking money directly for the entry to the competition either - so it is more of a horse giveaway. So you don't have to buy a ticket.

B

 

[druid]

The Ballymacad Foxhounds did this a few times. Raised alot of money

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/269074.html

 

[gemmahodgkinson]

it's also against the law as you would be classed as running a lottery, if you are selling tickets for money and it is a game of chance as to who wins it is classed as a lottery and you need a licence.

 

[dieseldog]

But they did it in National Velvet, that is how she got The Pye

 

[Faithkat]

It's obviously not illegal in Australia either: (read down to the bottom)

http://www.kiama.net/kiamashow/

 

[LadyRascasse]

bysides the welfare issues you are leaving yourself open to damages should anything go wrong with the horse and they are left with (for want of a better word) useless horse.

i personally wouldn't raffle a horse but what about getting a top rider to agree to give some lessons as top prize either on there own horse or one of theres.

 

[show_jumper]

ok ok before this gets too heated... i'd just like to point out that i said we're helping a yard near us.... i have not provided the horse or aided in any way other than saying ill pass word around about the raffle - we're just trying to help them - its not us actually doing the raffle!!! i personally wouldnt do it! but thats my opinion -
however - i do know that its not like a huge open raffle its just for people on their yard and a few of their close friends (big yard)...rather than being open to any tom dick or harry!!!(and we all know the horse in question)
just thought i'd give u all an update incase you'd got the wrong idea.....
i simply wondered what legal hurdles they might encounter along the way - as its an idea they've only just put together (although i think from reading this - they'll most probably think twice now!!)

thanks..keep voicing your opinions!!!!

 

[CracklinRosie]

If it wasn't illegal to have a live animal as a prize you can get round the licence buy making it a game of skill, i.e. spot the ball etc. That's how best of the best get round it at the airport for the cars and bikes they have as prizes!

 

[JJ1987]

If it's illegal how did the hunt manage to raffle a horse off then?

 

[Stinkbomb]

It might depend what country your in, the hunt was in ireland they may have different laws??