Jess Yager of North Platte, Neb., cleans his horses at a car wash. Recently, animal control officer John Pettit told Yager it was against the law to wash his animals at the car wash and let him off with a warning. (AP Photo)

Washing horses at car wash deemed illegal

By Associated Press, 5/6/03

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Washing his horses at a car wash didn't seem like a bad idea to Jess Yager until it turned out to be illegal.

Yager took his four horses to the car wash Monday afternoon to clean them, saying it's hard to clip and trim horses when their hair is caked with mud.

But animal control officer John Pettit was ready to ticket Yager. Pettit told Yager it was against the law to wash his animals at the car wash and let him off with a warning.

Yager said that's news to him since he's been doing it for years. He said the horses love it and prefer the hot water of the car wash over the cold hose at home.

Yager took his animals home, after only two got the soapy treatment.