Just weeks after high-profile Tennessee Walking Horse trainer Jackie McConnell pleaded guilty to federal horse soring charges, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) announced its offer of a standing cash reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who violate the Horse Protection Act (HPA) by soring horses.

The HPA forbids soring, the deliberate injury to a horse’s feet and legs to achieve an exaggerated high-stepping, so-called "Big Lick" gait.

In February a federal grand jury in Tennessee handed down an indictment accusing McConnell and three others of violating the HPA. In May, under a plea deal, McConnell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the HPA in various ways. Also earlier this year, Spotted Saddle Horse trainer Barney Davis pleaded guilty to HPA violations under a plea deal. The HSUS paid a $10,000 reward to an anonymous tipster for information in connection with that case.

The HSUS’ standing reward offer applies to tips connected to federal HPA violations and is also offered to tipsters who report violations of state anti-soring laws including those in Tennessee where animal cruelty statutes prohibit the practice