Berwick woman accused of submitting phony disease tests for horses

A Berwick woman has been arrested on a forgery charge, accused of submitting phony disease test results so she could put three horses in a boarding facility.

Shanna L. Bryan, 41, Berwick, was arrested Thursday after an investigation by inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Livestock Brand Commission. Bryan was arrested on a St. Mary Parish arrest warrant.

The investigation determined that Bryan allegedly forged and modified three equine infectious anemia tests, commonly referred to as “Coggins tests,” in order to board three horses at a St. Mary Parish boarding facility, the Ag Department said. As a result of the investigation, the horses were tested and found “negative” for equine infectious anemia.

Bryan turned herself in at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Department without incident and was booked on the warrant. At this time, a $5,000 bond has been set.

“There is a reason that EIA tests are required by law; forging their results is a serious crime,” said Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, a veterinarian. “Any duplicitous efforts to jeopardize accurate and honest testing could have a detrimental impact on Louisiana’s equine industry, and that’s not a chance we are willing to take.”

The Livestock Brand Commission was assisted in this investigation by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The Livestock Brand Commission maintains a 24-hour Crimestoppers hotline at 800-558-9741 for the public to report thefts or other agriculture-related crimes.

Equine infectious anemia is a viral disease that is potentially fatal to horses, according to the Penn State Extension website. There is no effective treatment. A negative Coggins test is required for all travel between states and at most equine facilities.