Photographs of an overburdened horse being beaten went viral on social media and created a nationwide firestorm last week. The single horse was hauling a large wagon filled with watermelons. When the horse appeared to be having trouble pulling the wagon, a man allegedly beat the horse. It was later euthanized.

Ephrata police charged 20-year-old Marvin M. Sensenig with two counts of animal cruelty. One of the reasons this case has gotten so much attention is Sensenig was identified as Amish and it brought up the issue of how Amish treat animals.

It also was reported that a witness to the incident said a police officer told her the Amish are not subject to the same animal cruelty laws as others. Police denied the officer said that.

So what does the law say and what do the Amish believe about animals?

On Tuesday's Smart Talk, we answer those questions with Steven Nolt, Senior Scholar for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies and Professor of History and Anabaptist Studies at Elizabethtown College and Nicole Wilson, Director of Humane Law Enforcement, Pennsylvania SPCA.

Also, on two different Smart Talk programs last week, we heard about deficiencies at Pennsylvania nursing homes. The association representing non-profit nursing homes agrees there are bad facilities but that all nursing homes shouldn't be criticized and changes are needed.

Ron Barth, the CEO and president of LeadingAge PA joins us.