
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 5, 1994                   TAG: 9405050137
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: PULASKI                                LENGTH: Short

OWNER OF DYED HORSE FILES SUIT AGAINST TEEN

The owner of a Tennessee walking horse which was stolen and dyed black last year has filed a civil suit against the teen-age girl convicted of the theft, and against the girl's mother.

Bud White of Dublin filed the suit in Pulaski County General District Court. He is seeking $2,699.90 for expenses and care of the horse made necessary by the theft and dye job.

The 3-year-old breeding stallion, named Fine Arts Classic Touch, is valued by White at $20,000. Part of its value lies in its black-and-white spotted coloring, unusual for a Tennessee walker.

Tennessee walking horses are light utility animals with easy, ambling gaits. White had to postpone some breeding sessions for this one, which he raised from a colt, because of concerns about the effects of the dye and because the animal pulled a leg muscle while running loose.

White reported the horse missing last Sept. 26. He found the animal running loose about 24 hours later, dyed black all over from mane to tail.

The girl and her mother now live in Roanoke. The suit is scheduled to be heard at 9:30 a.m. May 11.

The girl is identified in the warrant as Crystal Dawn Atkinson, her mother as Carol M. Atkinson Ratcliff, both of 4881 Brookwood Drive in Roanoke.

by CNB