Some Horses are Vicious and Some Horses are Sad

Lawyers in New York State, and the surrounding states, keep up to date on legal developments. I often find myself reading less than compelling, but important articles in the Law Journal entitled, "A Look Back At Runner v. New York Stock Exchange: What Did It Mean For Labor Law Section 240?" and similar fare. Recently, John Caher, a reporter for the New York Law Journal, told of the sad tale of "...a heartbroken horse named Whiskey." I am simply not used to reading about feelings of human beings in the law journal. It is usually an analysis of the results of cases determined by courts: the who, the what and the why from a cold, hard legal standpoint. Buth this? In the Law Journal??? "Whiskey and her longtime companion, Topper, had been inseparable for more than 20 years and became agitated whenever they were apart... But Topper took ill in early 2008 and within two months could no longer stand, so his owner...had him put down -- 'a task performed...in full view of Whiskey', the Court observed." After Topper was "put down", Whiskey becan "frantically pacing" and rearing her head. As she was rearing her head, a neighbor who was trying to calm her caught his finger in the halter of Whiskey and when Whiskey reared her head back, the neighbor received a terrible injury to his hand. The Court went on: "Regardless of whether Whiskey's demeanor on the day in question was the result of being separated from Topper, or, rather, having witnessed firsthand his demise and the ensuing preparations for his burial, there is no dispute that she was nervous and agitated, as evidenced by her whinnying and pacing inside the paddock." It is comforting to me, at least, that even though the Court sent the injured person home, dismissing any case he may have had, they did recognize the pain and suffering of Whiskey.