Guston woman gets 17 counts animal cruelty
by Laura SaylorEditorwrite the author
February 27, 2009BRECKINRIDGE CO.
A Guston woman was charged with 17 counts of cruelty to animals 2nd degree when nine horses were found starved to death on her rented farm.
Breckinridge County Sheriff Todd Pate said Glenda A. Wright, 51, has a Guston address though the farmland she rents on Bewleyville-Rosetta Road fell under Breckinridge County jurisdiction.
Pate said animal control officer Mike Picente received calls about animals not being taken care of on Wright's property. Pate, Picente, and two veterinarians went out to the farm earlier this month where there were roughly 40 horses.Pate said nine of those horses were emaciated to the point of death, and eight others were in dire need of medical care.
Wright was arraigned in district court Feb. 10. Pate said she is presently out on bond, and a trial is slated for April 17.
Pate said he had been alerted of mistreatment of animals at Wright's farm before, but during a prior investigation the physical condition of the animals at that time didn't warrant charges of animal cruelty.
He said staff members of Broadbent Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Irvington, Ky., are caring for the horses at the farm.
NEWS
Update:
The trial is scheduled for May of 2009.
So far Glenda Wright has refused to relinquish ownership of any of these animals.
Studs are still running loose on the property with mares. Two foals have been born since charges were brought against Wright, several other mares are due to foal at any time.
We would like to thank the staff at Braodbent Wildlife Sanctuary for donating their time and feeding the animals every day.
Update:
Jury trial on 05/08/09 found Glenda Wright guilty on all 17 counts of animal cruelty and one count of improper disposal. She was sentenced to one year on each count, however they must run concurrently for a total of 12 months.
Update:
The second week of June, Glenda Wright was given shock probation with the condition that she disperse the horses within 30 days. She can keep 5 horses either geldings or mares but cannot breed anything for 2 years.
Obviously this is a bad decision on the judge's part. Someone who is responsible for the death of 11 horses should not be allowed to continue to own any.
Were any stipulations made in regard to the dispersal of her horses?
Since this case was first made public ten foals have entered this world. Additional birth are expected as of June 17th, 2009.
Update 07/16/2009:
Glenda Wright appeared before the Judge today to discuss the dispersal of her horses. She conducted herself in an inappropriate manner and was returned to jail.
The number of horses on her property still exceed the number she was ordered to reduce her herd to by today's court appearance.
Update October 2009:
Glenda Wright was given several more opportunities to re-home her horses, but still hasn't done so. October 13th, at another court hearing, she filed a complaint against the lawyer who represented her earlier. The court appointed a new lawyer and has given her yet another continuance until October 27th.
In the meantime several foals were either stillborn or died shortly after birth and the stallions continue to run at large with the remaining horses.Update Thanksgiving 2009:
Glenda Wright's property was foreclosed on and sold to a local business man. The new owner wanted the horses removed fom his property. Since Glenda Wright did not comply, the county gave order to have the sheriff remove the animals and Glenda Wright was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
Now property of the county, the sheriff made arrangements to have them shippped to a local auction (run by a KY killbuyer/trader) to be run through on Saturday November 28, 2009.
After many phone calls and a final plea to the Judge Executive of Breckenridge County, we were able to have the horses signed over to Speak Up For Horses.
They have since arrived at our safe location in Northern Kentucky.
Thank you Judge Powers!
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