Cortner Editorial: The Weight of the Facebook Mob 

Two videos circulating on Facebook this week ­– and their aftermath – are setting a dangerous precedent for those in livestock industries.One video, purported to be a Las Vegas veterinarian allegedly abusing a horse, made the rounds first. A criminal investigation was opened regarding the veterinarian, and he issued a public apology on his Facebook profile.Shortly after, another video of an Oklahoma horse trainer circulated with the same accusation.Both videos were posted and reshared thousands of times with the express intent to publicly expose and defame.With fellow horse owners posting and re-sharing the worst moments in our industry, who needs PETA?Both videos were posted by the same woman, casting herself as an arbiter of online justice. The Facebook mob descended, playing the part of rogue jury.Thousands of comments wished harm and death upon the subjects – most too savage to repeat. Further comments doxed personal information including birth dates, phone numbers, and addresses.A...