Animal Cruelty Expert Witnesses: 3

Alison Grotz, Founder of EquiAppraisal, is an Equine and Horse-related Tack and Equipment Appraisal expert. She is Senior Certified by the American Society of Equine Appraisers (ASEA) and is a member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA). 

Ms. Grotz has over 25 years of experience. She has her Bachelor of Science degree in Equestrian Science from William Woods University. Ms. Grotz gained international experience in the horse industry, primarily at the world-renowned breeding facility of Castle Forbes Stud in County Longford, Ireland. Her decades of involvement with horses progressed through grooming, riding, training, teaching, stable management, equipment sales, valuation, and expert consultation. 

Ms. Grotz's career summary includes operating elite competition stables both domestically and abroad, with experience training and/or managing over 200 horses, with values ranging up to several million dollars.She is currently an adjunct professor at Isothermal Community College in their foundational “Equine Science I & II” courses within Equine Studies department.

Litigation Support - Ms. Grotz is an established expert witness in the courtroom, providing testimony in both State and Federal cases. All valuations comply with nationally recognized Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) regulations. Clients have included insurance companies, attorneys, veterinarians, or horse owners/brokers involved in equine injury, theft, death, insurance settlements, contract disputes, divorce or estate settlements, etc. Ms. Grotz is available for on-site appraisals, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. 

EquiAppraisal Litigation Services:

View EquiAppraisal's Consulting Profile.

Tracy Dopko, BA, DipEqS, ISA, CPPA, is a CertifiedSenior Equine, Livestock & Agricultural Appraiser with over 20 years of experience travelling all over the United States and Canada conducting appraisals. She has appraised some of the top jumper and dressage horses in Europe, and has also appraised some of the most well-known Holstein, Angus & Jersey cattle in North America.  In 2013, Ms. Dopko completed an Equine Studies Diploma with distinction at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, as well as completing an Equine Science Certificate with distinction, Equine Business Management Certificate with distinction and Equine Welfare Certificate with distinction. In 2017, she graduated from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with distinction focusing on Criminal Justice and Public Policy and is also a full-time instructor with the University of Guelph for their Equine Studies Diploma and Equine Business Management programs.

Litigation Support - Ms. Dopko has been retained globally as an appraiser and consultant on many court cases from boarding disputes to negligent homicide (click on CV/Links - Expert Witness Services to view cases). She is qualified as an "Expert" in Court proceedings in both Canada and the United States. Ms. Dopko has worked closely with several of the major insurance companies in the U.S. and Canada, and completed appraisals for multimillion-dollar estate, insurance settlements, and tax audits.

Ms. Dopko is a licensed Equine Private Investigator and Fraud Examiner, practicing under the Security Services and Investigator's Act. She complies with all Federal, Provincial/State, and Municipal laws during criminal and civil investigations, fraud investigations, and insurance fraud.

Daventry Equine appraisals are considered "Certified" for legal purposes in Canada and internationally and are known for their thoroughness and attention to detail. She has over 5,000 hours of appraisal experience, and to date, has helped her clients win over $2,000,000 in dispute cases and settlements. Combined with her background and credentials in the horse industry, Daventry appraisals and expertise provides a valuable asset in the courtroom.

Areas of Expertise:

View Tracy Dopko's Consulting Profile.

Bridget Brandon of ValueMyHorse Equine Appraisals specializes in educating attorneys in case specific horse terminology, developing valuation appraisals, testifying in court, finding critical evidence, analyzing crucial facts, and creating relevant witness questions. She provides the legal community with a wide range of analysis, education and support for equine-related proceedings throughout the United States. ValueMyHorse services clients from any locality and any state needing expertise in the area of Sporthorses, Performance Horses, pleasure horses and breeding. Bridget has testimony experience and is qualified as an expert. USPAP certified, 

ValueMyHorse understands the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) compliance issues. They also know what it takes to comply with the IRS Federal Code of Regulations with respect to being “qualified” appraisers developing a “qualified” appraisal in accordance with AQB (Appraisal Qualifications Board). Whether to support business valuation and profit motive claims for dissolution of marriage, charitable donations of horses, estate valuation, partnership disputes, or IRS related issues. ValueMyHorse is available with regard to IRS Hobby Loss Issues, the Relevant Market, Type of Horse, Horse Show Issues, Breeding Issues, Boarding, Care, Custody and Control, Highest and Best Use, and Fungibility.

Selected Case Examples:

• Appraised investment horse for syndication group law suit (plaintiff)
• Appraised show jumper in lawsuit concerning misrepresentation of age (plaintiff)
• Consulted on malpractice law suit concerning value of deceased dressage / breeding stallion - loss of income from stud fees and sale of offspring (defendant)
• Appraised imported Grand Prix prospect in a trailer accident and eventually euthanized due to injuries (defendant)
• Appraised dressage horse injured in care of veterinarian (defendant)
• Appraised jumper injured in a trailer accident (defendant)
• Appraised a deceased western pleasure show horse who was electrified (defendant)
• Appraised reining horse for bank regarding defaulted loan (plaintiff)
• Appraised jumper who died of injuries obtained while in her stall (defendant)

View Consulting Profile.