FLOYD COUNTY, KY.– A post of a dead horse on social media that allegedly froze to death in Frasure’s Creek got a lot of attention yesterday. It also got the attention of the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department.
“Upon arrival I located a dead horse, but I also located a live horse that was malnourished. You could see its hip bones, its ribs and it looked like it was caked and covered in mud and feces. The home owner stated to me that the horse that had died had been taken to the vet and was 15-years old with pre-existing health conditions. I talked with him and he has somebody who is going to come out and help him bury the dead horse and we took possession of the horse that was still alive and Dumas Rescue picked him up and is going to nurse him back to health and find him a good home.”
Deputy Szymchack went on to say that no criminal charges have been filed at this time.
If you suspect animal abuse you can call the Floyd County sheriff Departments anonymous tip line at 606-949-2020.
Two women face animal neglect charges in Lexington. Investigators say they were not properly caring for five horses. Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control took the horses from two different farms in the city.
"You know what, it's time to say enough is enough now let us take over," Officer Timothy Brown, with Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control, said.
At two horse farms across town he says they've seen enough.
"When we feel like we have to step in it's something that is pretty severe, you know?"
Brown says a number of calls came in, all with the same tone. A handful of horses were pulled from the farms.
"They seen everything from skin issues, under weight," he said.
WKYT asked and we're not able to show any pictures right now because the investigation isn't over.
"Owners were given chances to correct it, however they did not."
The owners he's talking about are Agnes Krug and Tres Delaforce. Each faces animal neglect charges.
"Investigators got called out to two different addresses, one on South Yarnallton and Athens Walnut Hill."
WKYT stopped by both places and asked they give us their side of the story. Krug told us she didn't want us on her property. We left Delaforce a voicemail and haven't heard back.
Officials say Delaforce isn't unfamiliar to animal neglect, that she was a complainant just last year when Mercer County investigated the neglect of 43 horses.
As for this investigation, it's ongoing. We're told the cross-town cases may somehow be linked.
Brown said, "We are safe to say that they are somewhat connected. We just don't know the relationship between the two."
As the investigation continues Animal Care & Control is taking care of the thoroughbreds. It's not clear if the horses will go back to their owners. That'll be decided in court.
Earlier this year, we received multiple complaints regarding thin horses residing on South Yarnallton Pike.
During this investigation, several horses were seized for care and treatment issues. Lizzy (pictured below) is one of the horses from this case. Lizzy was found to be extremely underweight, covered in lice, with a wound on her neck as a result of a cribbing collar.
On Friday, a jury handed down a guilty verdict on the criminal case against the owner, Agnes Krug. She was convicted of all three counts of animal cruelty.
KY man charged after 40 horses taken from Richland Co. property
Friday, April 7th 2017, 10:28 am EDT
RICHLAND COUNTY, SC (WIS) -
A Kentucky man has been charged with two counts of felony ill treatment of animals after two horses he owned died.
After a year-long investigation, Gordon "Cappy" Wheeler, 46, was arrested in Arizona and transported to Richland County this week to face the charges. Bond was set at $20,000, which was posted Thursday.
Investigators with the Richland County Sheriff's Department were called to a property Wheeler was leasing on Community Pond Road in Eastover in March 2016 after a one-year-old horse was found dead.
"The animal had been dead for several hours or more," reads the incident report. "It appeared to be extremely malnourished and underweight."
As a result of the investigation, about 40 horses were taken from the property and put into the care of South Carolina Awareness and Rescue for Equines. Two of the horses, a Saddlebred filly named Lilly, and a Thoroughbred mare who had just foaled named Patti, died.
"Several of the horses were at death's door," said Jan Carter with SCARE. "They just weren't getting any care."
One foal, a Hackney pony named Hercules, was in such poor shape he couldn't stand.
Carter said the horses and ponies seized were Thoroughbreds, Saddlebreds and Hackney ponies. Since they were recovered from the farm, SCARE has found homes for all of them.
Some have recovered and are doing well at Dream Equine Therapy Center in York, SC.
While caring for the horses, SCARE went through 1,000 pounds of hay per day.
15 dead horses found on abandoned farm in Trimble County
Posted:
Feb 01, 2017 5:56 PM EST
TRIMBLE COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) -- Several dead horses were found Wednesday on a farm in Trimble County.
Henry County Animal Control arrived to the home on Perkinson Lane and saw three horse carcasses from the driveway.
A search warrant was issued, and animal control found the skeletal remains of 12 other horses and many rabbits on the property.
“It’s a mess. We found more than what we thought we would find,” said Dan Flinkfelt with Henry County Animal Control. “You hear about it, and you don’t think it is going to happen in your area. Then once it comes across, it is a huge shock.”
Officials tell WDRB they initially arrived to the rented home for a probation check.
Twelve other horses on the property were clearly malnourished. The sheriff’s office brought in several large hay bales for the horses, since there was no food in their large pasture.
Investigators are not sure how long the animals were without food or water.
A rescue group with Windy Meadows Equine Center arrived on scene shortly before 5 p.m. and started rounding up the remaining horses to take to their 300-acre farm in Oldham County. All the horses were immediately check by a veterinarian.
“We’ll do a slow feed-back, which is grass hay, plain ‘ole hay and water, and you will see a huge change,” said Ellie Troutman, one of the rescue workers.
The owner of property could face more than 35 counts of animal cruelty and improperly disposing of a carcass and could face a year in jail for each count.
BEDFORD, KY (WAVE) – At least 19 horses, 15 rabbits and three goats
were confirmed dead on a Trimble County property owned by a Bedford
woman.
Animal Control authorities acted on a search warrant on
Wednesday night, rescuing 14 horses and five rabbits with the help of
Ellie Troutman and her team at Windy Meadows Equestrian Centers.
"I
mean there are dead horses lying within eye shot of the road. It's
tragic really. And it never gets easy people ask ‘is this another day in
the life of the horse farm,’" Troutman said. "It's not."
Troutman rescued at least 12 horses who will go to her farm to get veterinary care and begin to heal.
"That's what makes my heart feel good that we rescued those horses and that's what will make me tear up," Troutman said.
Wednesday
was not the first time Henry-Trimble County Animal Control director
Russell Spaulding had shown up to a pasture in Trimble County for calls
about dead animals.
“Couple
years back, some fell through some ice and in the lake on another
property, basically we informed her that they needed to be disposed of
and she did,” Spaulding said.
It was the same woman, similar call.
With dead horses found on her property again, Spaulding said it makes
him worry that there are more dead horses.
With a search warrant, county officials will investigate what exactly led to the deaths of the animals.
At
this point, Animal Control officials said they are focused on the
animals themselves. Finding which ones need help and which ones need
removal. Once they take in all the information about how many animals
remain alive on the pasture, they will take them to a place they can be
taken care of.
“It doesn’t mean that is guilty of anything, these
animals could have been sick, she could have not just been able to get
them,” Spaulding said.
Neighbors who know the owner of the
property and the animals said she has never had malicious intent. Matt
Sandusky said the woman brings in neglected horses that are no longer
wanted and are often times sick.
“She picks up animals that people
just don’t want and it’s going to make her look bad but the reality is
people don’t take their responsibility and she tries to - I think, takes
on too much,” Sandusky said.
Spaulding added whatever the circumstances may be, he said he wishes the owner had reached out for help if she needed any.
“We
have never got a call about needing hay, she’s in touch with a lot of
horse people in the area, and they’ve tried to help, I feel like she
just got in over her head,” Spaulding said.
Woman charged with animal cruelty after horses found dead
Feb 03, 2017 3:34 PM EST
BEDFORD, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Trimble County woman is facing nearly 100 animal cruelty charges after dozens of dead animals were found on her property.
Marlena Robinson, 33, was arrested late Thursday night by the Trimble County Sheriff's Office. She is charged with 54 counts of animal cruelty and 43 counts of improper disposal of a dead animal. After the property in Bedford was searched, investigators found 21 dead horses, along with dead alpacas, goats, cats, and rabbits. Twelve other horses on the property were clearly malnourished. The sheriff’s office brought in several large hay bales for the horses, since there was no food in their large pasture.
Robinson is to have no contact with any animals and is expected in court Feb. 14.
Horse rescued in Trimble County abuse case in labor, others recover
BEDFORD, KY (WAVE) – 72 days after one of the worst horse abuse cases in Kentucky, the suspect in the crime pled guilty to animal cruelty.
Marlena Robinson won't spend any time in jail but will be forced to pay at least $19 thousand dollars in restitution and will no longer be able to own animals for at least two years.
The surviving horses are at Windy Meadows farm in La Grange. Back in February, many horses were skin and bones; 15 rabbits, 3 goats 19 horses dead.
13 other horses were rescued out in Trimble County
"This is a big change from what you saw on February 1," Ellie Troutman of Windy Meadows Farm said. It has taken Months of round the clock care.
"It really was hour by hour for some of these horses," Troutman said.
The horses required specialized treatment as they fought starvation.
"You know one of the problems was them eating the bedding, the pine shavings," said Troutman.
"This horse we didn't think would survive,"
These horses were once starving, infected with parasites and even feeding off each other, now they are thriving beyond anyone's expectations.
At least three of these horses pregnant when rescued. One foal now joins the ranks and two others are on the way.
"This is what we do..this is why we do it. You can't put a price on it. Really you can't The fact that they're thriving and survived. February 1-not sure that was going to happen," Troutman said.
Now that the court case is final, some of these horses will be adopted. A couple are heading as far as Chicago. These homes have been vetted to the extreme to make sure they're protected as best as possible.
Abandoned horses rescued from Nelson Co. boarding farm; owner missing
Tuesday, September 13th 2016, 6:43 pm EDT
MT. WASHINGTON, KY (WAVE) - He snorts loudly. Often. Mugs for the camera. The perfect thoroughbred to train as a barrel racer and as a companion to her prime mount, Bozo.
But Meaghan Metzmeier hadn't counted on worms, or that the 9-year-old she renamed Chance would be so malnourished that his ribs showed.
"His niece was calling and pretty much begging me to take him," Metzmeier told WAVE 3 News on Tuesday.
Metzmeier, and fellow competitor Christy DeWitt Summitt, first encountered Chance and 15-year-old thoroughbred Winston among fourteen mares, stallions and foals boarded in stables off of Nelsonville Road near Boston the Wednesday before Labor Day. Their owner, Donnie Hairns Bentley Jr., was nowhere to be found.
"Each mare sat there and drank four buckets of water," Metzmeier said.
"Their stalls were built up, like two feet high of mud and manure," Summitt said. "They were almost hitting their heads on the (barn) ceilings."
She believes that's to blame for the abscess to Winston's left front hoof; its bandage was held in place with duct tape. He's kept mostly to himself among the eight horses and ponies Summitt is rehabilitating at Little Haven, her farm in Bloomfield.
"(Winston) took two hours to load, because everybody out there was scaring the crap out of him," Summitt said.
Racing as Western Kind, Winston earned $101,947 in a two-year racing career with six wins, Summitt told us. Standing at 17 hands, he's about 400 pounds below racing weight.
She'd been told he was aggressive, bucking his riders and chasing other mounts on the track. "He acts like he's been hit, but clearly he's not been taken care of either."
Summitt and Metzmeier know less of what to make of Donnie Bentley.
"He used to take good care of his horses," Summitt said. "They had racehorses and everything's gone downhill, so I'd say he needs some help."
"He should be put in jail and shouldn't own animals," Metzmeier added.
Bentley's run-ins with the law go back twenty years, according to the Bullitt County Circuit Court. They include a State Police arrest in 2014 for driving under the influence with an open container of alcohol, a guilty plea in 2008 to receiving stolen property and theft, and a conviction for public intoxication in 2007.
"He'd been here more than a year and hadn't paid any rent," said James Girdley, owner of the farm where Bentley had boarded Chance, Winston and at least ten more thoroughbreds or saddlebreds. WAVE 3 News found only a mare and her foal there Tuesday. Girdley said both belonged to his brother.
"(Bentley) was supposed to take care of them. He didn't," Girdley explained. "That's another reason he's gone."
Where Bentley is now isn't clear. Girdley, Metzmeier and Summitt all say Bentley left no forwarding address or cell phone number.
Prior to Tuesday, nobody had reported concerns about Bentley's horses to the Kentucky Equine Health & Welfare Council, a Division of the Department of Agriculture created in 2010 to promote research and the development Certified Rescue & Retirement Centers for former racers and horses rescued from suspected abuse and neglect.
"We very much want to know about this," state veterinarian Dr. Bradley Keough told WAVE 3 News last week. "We'd like some answers too." WAVE3
Harness Horse Electrocuted by Trainer
June 30th, 2016
Harrison County, Kentucky – Prosecutors are charging Michael Neafus (Mikey) with level 6 felony animal abuse after witness’ saw him abusing a horse. Mikey, who trains and drives harness racing horses, allegedly took 3-year-old Shares Desires out of her stall, tied her up, and repeatedly shocked her for up to 10 minutes at a time. Shares Desires “went nuts” according to the witness. Mikey would also shock Shares Desires in her stall.
Owner, Ronald Conrad, is particularly upset at Mikey’s behavior. “I’ve known Mikey since he was a baby. His father and I, when Louisville Downs was racing, we had horses together,” Conrad told reporters. “It’s puzzling to me, because I thought he was a real friend.” Shares Desires has a special place in Conrad’s heart, she was with him the day his brother died. “He had had a massive heart attack and died that day. So, that’s why she’s special to me.”
Harrison County District Attorney is pressing for the fullest punishment allowed by law. “Every time you have allegations of animal abuse it makes you want to cringe,” Harrison County Prosecutor Otto Schalk told reporters. “In Harrison County we take animal cruelty very seriously, whether you’re a dog owner or in this case a horse trainer, if you torturing or abusing a defenseless animal, we are coming after you.” Mikey is free on a $2,000 bond and is expected in court today. He faces 2 1/2 years in prison if convicted.
Shares Desires seems to be ok, despite being quite skittish for a few days.
The twisting and troubled story of trainer Maria Borell took another shocking turn this week when more than 40 horses owned by her and/or her father, Chuck, were again found in deplorable conditions at yet another rented Kentucky farm. The group of horses, now located on a private property in Mercer County just outside of Harrodsburg, is the same as was previously found and documented to be in poor shape via photos and cell phone video in Woodford County by trainer Ken Summerville a few days before this year’s Kentucky Derby (GI).
Summerville, who hasn’t given up his quest to find the three horses he says Maria Borell took from him via lien when he was hospitalized in 2014 battling a life-threatening auto-immune disease, said once he found out the horses were moved out of Woodford County he set out trying to find their location. He called in multiple favors from multiple friends to get his hands on the address and, after a few weeks of searching, finally unearthed the location in late May.
“I never thought (the horses would) be released by the authorities from Stonegate (the farm in Woodford County rented by the Borells),” Summerville said. “So when I heard they were moved, I was angry and I was absolutely going to find them. I just hoped it’d be in time to help them.”
Armed with a group of friends to help document the conditions of the horses, ten days before the Belmont Stakes, Summerville went to the Mercer county property and found the horses in worse shape than ever. He and his group documented several horses of all ages with open sores all over their bodies, as well as yearlings not yet weaned and nearly every one hadn’t had blacksmith attention in months. Additionally, the horses were drinking unclean water from filthy buckets and troughs and many were housed in paddocks with broken fences that had yet to be repaired.
“They are the same horses as were on Kara’s farm and also Stonegate and were much worse off than they’d ever been, no question,” Summerville said. “At least with the other farms there were people there every day, but not this one. The owner lives in Tennessee and aside from another person renting space on the other side of the farm, nobody was watching.”
Longtime horsewoman Tres Delaforce, who is also a trainer, agreed to accompany Summerville on that first visit to the Mercer County property mostly because she wanted to see the condition of the horses herself. She says she heard about the poor care of Borell’s horses for “a long time,” but wanted to see the alleged neglect herself.
“I’ve never seen anything like it in my entire life,” Delaforce said. “Those horses hadn’t had basic care or regular feed in months. They were skin and bones. None were in acceptable shape. There was a worker there who told us the horses hadn’t had food in at least 10 days at that point — and you could tell. Some were even locked in a barn the entire time they were there, which had to have been at least two weeks. There was a dog there that the worker told me had been locked in a stall and that they were feeding her cat food.”
Following that visit, Summerville and Delaforce immediately paid a visit to the Mercer County sheriff, Ernie Kelty, to notify him of the condition of the horses and to see if there were any legal channels to help the horses. The sheriff agreed to investigate, they said, but acknowledged to them that it would take some time. For the past few weeks, Summerville and Delaforce have been waiting for the wheels of justice to finally turn in favor of the horses and all follow-up calls to Kelty were either unreturned or they were told the situation was in the “state’s hands.”
Then, this past Thursday, a volunteer on the farm desperate for help contacted Summerville. The volunteer told him that in the three weeks since she last saw Chuck Borell the condition of the horses has reached a dire situation and many cannot wait much longer for the state to intervene.
“She told me the horses were worse than ever,” Summerville said. “And that I needed to come and see right away. So I went back and she was right. Bad. Just bad.”
Summerville took photos and videos of the neglect. Delaforce, who thought she’d seen the worst of it, was stunned.
“The fact that (county and state officials) knew about this for weeks and let this continue boggles the mind,” Delaforce said. “I was speechless and that’s saying a lot for me. I could barely take any photos I was so stunned. Stunned.”
According to the volunteer, some feed has been provided by the sheriff, as well as volunteers, but the horses need much more, including grain and vet care and attention from a blacksmith. The volunteer said neither Maria Borell nor her father have contributed at all to the horses’ expenses and haven’t been seen or heard from in weeks.
“They left one woman to be in charge of taking care of all of the horses and organizing volunteers,” the source said. “She’s doing the best she can, but there are too many horses to take care of and too many are in such bad shape. They’ve had hay, but that’s been only since the sheriff stepped in. They haven’t had vet care and only a couple have seen the blacksmith and I guess he wasn’t paid either. No vet will come out unless they’re paid first.
“Nobody’s even sure who owns the horses. (Borell) I guess has said they’re his daughter’s horses, but he’s told some other people they’re his, so I don’t know what to think. All we know is that one or both of them are responsible for these horses and nobody has seen either of them in weeks. I’ve never even seen Maria herself. I was told she was here the first day they moved in and hasn’t been back since.”
The woman left in charge, Angie Cheak, when contacted by phone would only say she’s doing her best to care for the horses with limited resources.
“I don’t have a comment,” Cheak said. “We are doing the best we can. I can’t say anything else.”
Borell, who was the listed trainer for Gallery Racing’s Runhappy when the three-year-old won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) last October 31, was recently sued by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital for non-payment of fees and didn’t show up to a scheduled hearing in Fayette County on June 10. She also has other default judgments against her and her training license in Kentucky is currently listed as “not valid” and “suspended for non-payment” in New York.
Additionally, Borell is currently involved in litigation against Gallery owner Jim McIngvale, who she alleges terminated her from her duties as private trainer and refused to pay the standard ten percent to trainers for winning, as is customary in racing for independent contractors. Borell maintains she had no such agreement despite her role as private trainer and has refused comment since late last year.
Calls and emails to the Mercer County sheriff, the county attorney, Milward Dedman, and the Kentucky state veterinarian were not returned as of this writing.
Charles Borell Offered Plea Deal In Case Of 43 Abandoned Horses
Charles Borell has been offered a plea deal on 43 counts of animal cruelty related to abandoned horses found on a Mercer County, Ky. farm. According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, details of the plea were not disclosed by Mercer County Attorney Ted Dean following a pretrial conference held Thursday.
Borell did not attend the conference.
If Borell does not take the plea deal at a hearing on Sept. 29, a trial date will be scheduled. He is free on $4,300 bond.
Larry Catlett, attorney for Borell, declined to comment on the case to reporters but did acknowledge he has received 740 pages of evidence and a thumb drive with photographs of the abandoned horses, many of which were Thoroughbreds, from Mercer County.
An arrest warrant remains active for former Runhappy trainer Maria Borell on 43 counts of animal cruelty, but she is believed to be out-of-state, and cannot be extradited back to Kentucky on misdemeanor charges. One local television news report earlier this year even suggested she may have left the country.
The horses, who were largely cared for by volunteers and donated funds for weeks during the investigation this summer, have all been moved to 14 different facilities to receive care and treatment while officials await a conclusion to the case. All, including the six horses moved to the Blackburn Correctional Center (which included two of the horses with the worst body condition scores), are gaining weight and regaining alertness.
Mercer Co. Sheriff investigating possible animal neglect case at thoroughbred farm
Thu 9:46 PM, Jun 02, 2016
MERCER COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - The Mercer County Sheriff says his office is investigating a possible case of animal cruelty. He says some thoroughbreds recently brought to a farm may have been neglected.
Sheriff Ernie Kelty says either he or one of his deputies has gone out to the farm on Martin Lane to check on the horses every day since they found about them earlier this week.
"Animals can't take care of themselves," Sheriff Kelty said. "They have to be taken care of. That's why we have to make sure it gets done."
Kelty says the horses are being taken care of now that they are at the farm on Martin Lane. Investigators are trying to figure out where they were before that, and why someone there was not taking care of them.
"There are horses out there that we took photographs of that I'm not going to say are in immediate danger, but I'm not an expert," Kelty said. "But there's horses out there definitely in need of care."
Kelty says 40 horses are on the property, although some are not involved in the investigation, he said. He was unable to provide a number that might be involved.He says they believe the thoroughbred horses have been at the farm for two to three weeks, and the man who is leasing the farm has hired two people to take care of the horses there.
Sheriff Kelty said the man leasing the farm is cooperating with the investigation. WKYT has chosen not to release the man's name because he has not been charged.
Sheriff Kelty said he is working with a state agriculture official about the possible neglect of the horses. He met with that official on Thursday afternoon.
He says the state is getting involved partly because of the sheer number of horses, and partly because where the horses came from may end up being outside Mercer County, and therefore outside his office's jurisdiction.
Regardless of who leads the investigation, Sheriff Kelty said the important thing is that the horses are now being taken care of, and he says investigators will get to the bottom of all this.
"This definitely is serious to us," he said. "We've let everybody that's involved know that this is very serious to us and that we're going to do anything and everything we can to gather all the facts and make sure those horses are taken care of."
Kelty said the investigation is ongoing as they try to track down who was responsible for taking care of the horses.
One neighbor told WKYT's Garrett Wymer that this was the first he had heard of the investigation, but that he saw a couple trucks with trailers pull into the farm a couple of weeks ago. But, he added, that is not out of the ordinary around there.
Lexington horse owner convicted of animal mistreatment11/11/2015
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) –
Local horse owner and trainer, Francis Lee
McKinney was prosecuted by the Fayette County Attorney’s Office,
according to Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control.
The shelter says Mckinney was convicted Friday on four counts of miscare and mistreatment of animals.
A
statement by Lexington Fayette Animal Care & Control says the
charges were filed after four of Mckinney’s horses were found in poor
condition in March.
Animal Control says three horses were found on March
11 and were underweight and in need of veterinary care. The fourth
horse was found suffering and unable to stand on March 30th.
McKinney
was convicted on all charges and taken into custody. She was sentenced
to 30 days in jail and has to pay a fine of $2,000.
Animal Control
officials say they have been investigating McKinney for more than a
decade. Officials say two of horses from Friday’s conviction were apart
of a previous investigation.
In February 2011, three horses were
taken away from her property for ‘lack of care.’ Animal Control held the
horses for 11 months before the case was resolved and McKinney was
allowed to regain custody.
Animal Control Officers in Scott County are angered after they rescued some horses for a second time. After horses that they rescued and nursed back to health 14-years-ago were returned to the family they had been rescued from once before.
Scott County Animal Control officers say that two horses under the county's care are the luckier ones.
Officers seized them from a home on Double Culvert Road. Their owner, Jackie Lamn, now faces three charges of animal cruelty. A report states that the horses were extremely thing and malnourished.
"They weren't fed, what it comes down to, they weren't taken care of,” says Nathan Mullikin.
A third horse, a stallion had to be euthanized.
A vet said that was the only humane thing to do. "We couldn't get him to stand up he was so weak,” says Mullikin.
Dunny, the euthanized horse, had been seized once before back in 2001 along with the other two horses when Lamb's son Jackson was found guilty on two counts of cruelty to animals.
In 2003, prosecutors asked the judge not to give the horses back to their owner, but she did anyway.
Prosecutors argued that putting them back in Jackson Lamb's hand would have been placing them in danger. A judge ordered them returned immediately.
"We had nursed them back to health and they looked great when they left here. When we and the vet picked them up last week. It was terrible...skin covering bones,” says Mullikin.
Lexington woman faces charges after horse found dead on farm
Updated: Fri 11:22 PM, Mar 13, 2015
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT)
When animal control officers arrived Wednesday at Lee McKinney's farm on Parkers Mill Road for a complaint, it was not their first time there.
What officers found there now leaves McKinney facing animal neglect charges - again.
"That's why we're here. That's our job," said Officer Timothy Brown with Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control. "We're here to be the voice for the animals that can't have that voice for them."
Animal control officers found a horse that had died, and several others that were malnourished, Brown said.
Brown said McKinney now faces charges for not providing "proper care" for her animals, in violation of the city's ordinance pertaining to the treatment of animals.
According to Brown - and those who know McKinney - this is not the first time she has faced these charges.
"We don't know if she has the proper means to take care of the animals, or if it's just neglect on her part for the animals," Brown said.
The matter is still under further investigation, Brown said. McKinney could face up to a $500 fine or a year in prison for each charge.
Regardless, Brown says this case serves as a reminder that if you are having trouble taking care of your animals, give them a call.
"There's plenty of ways we can go about trying to help the community in a particular situation," he said. "But even if not that, try your hardest to take care of your animals. If you know that you're going to get them, be sure that you can take care of them."
Harrison Co. Horses Seized In Animal Neglect Investigation Feb 26, 2015 6:16 PM EST
An animal neglect investigation is underway after neighbors called authorities when four Harrison County horses wandered outside their fence.
When investigators made their way to the farm, they ended up seizing every animal on the property. Officers say the other animals on the Hendricks Lane farm were living with no shelter food or water. Two of the horses required immediate medical attention due to malnourishment.
The owner, who asked that her name be withheld, said the entire incident was a misunderstanding. She says that the icy weather made it difficult to get to her animals but she was still caring for them.
"These horses are my children I do have a child in college, but these animals are just my children,” says the owner.
The owner tells LEX 18 that she was on her way to bring the animals food and water when she wrecked her truck.
Dozens of abandoned horses and dogs rescued in Bourbon County
Updated: Wed 11:20 PM, Aug 13, 2014
BOURBON COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) -
Animal control workers say 40 horses and 10 dogs have been rescued
after their owner abandoned them on a piece of land in Bourbon County.
"They've been utterly neglected for months," said veterinarian Walker Logan, who is now helping care for the horses.
Logan says the horses had been living on their own since April.
"I have worked for animal rescue for many years," he said. "Unfortunately, it's not too surprising."
Investigators say the owner of the animals dropped them off on a piece of land, without the landowner's permission.
A new person bought that land, and called animal control to get the animals help.
"There's been no parasite control, no vaccinations, no treatment of wounds," Logan said.
The horses are now staying on a farm in Bourbon County. Some of them have already been adopted.
Thirty of the horses still need a permanent home. The dogs are now in the care of the Paris Animal Welfare Society.
"They are very cute little dogs," Paris Animal
Welfare Society Director Robin Vincent said. "They've been wonderful.
They've got great attitudes. They get along with each other."
Charges against the owner of the animals are
pending. Investigators know who she is, but they're still trying to
track her down.
If you'd like to help the dogs, we have a link attached to the Paris Animal Welfare Society.
PENDLETON COUNTY, KY (FOX19) -
49 horses were found dead at a Pendleton County farm on Monday.
Animal Control and Emergency Management responded to 2239 Ky. 117 in Butler City after an anonymous tip alerted them of dead horses on the property.
Authorities said Larry Browning, who owns the property, will be charged with 14 counts of second degree animal cruelty.
Thirty-five horses were found still alive on the property. Officials said 14 horses are being taken to safe locations throughout Kenton County to be treated for malnourishment.
Officials say Browning is only charged with 14 counts of animal cruelty because of the 14 malnourished horses taken from the property.
Authorities said they are waiting to determine the exact cause of death for the 49 horses before filing additional charges.
Larry Browning freely admits that some of the horses on his farm in Pendleton County look sick and malnourished.
He says there's a reason why he has so many horses, though. Browning tells FOX19 that people in Pendleton County know he'll try to care for them.
"In the last two years, I've probably had close to 100 horses dropped off. Now, some of them straighten up. I mean, I worm them all and I've got, well, this winter I spent two or three thousand dollars on hay," said Browing.
He went on to say that about four years ago, he took in some horses from the southern part of the state. He says he rehabbed many of them, and that now people who can't take care of horses use his property as a drop off point. He says it happens during the middle of the night, near his barn at the edge of the property.
"This didn't happen until they stopped the slaughter. Once they stopped the slaughtering, people didn't have an outlet for their old horses, crazy, or mean horses," said Browning.
He says as a result of tough economic times, many people around the area can't take care of their horses and don't know what to do.
"I just put up those no trespassing signs up here in the last six months. It hasn't helped. They are still dropping them off," said Browning.
Pendleton County has tried to fight animal cruelty for awhile. FOX19 has uncovered several documents from 2013 which outline tougher penalties and tighter investigations into cases of abuse.
Browing says he's not an abuser. Back in 2011, he faced similar charges, went to court, and won.
"What am I going to do? The animal activists, they'll do what they want to do. They say I'm harboring them, they're on my farm, so it's my responsibility," said Browing.
Investigations into Browning began in February after Butler residents complained of dead horses on his property, according to officials
The anonymous tip on Monday led them to visit the farm and charge Browning with animal cruelty.
His next court date is April 15th.
Man pleads not guilty to 15 counts of animal cruelty after 49 horses found dead on N.Ky. farm
BUTLER, Ky. -- A Northern Kentucky man charged with 15 counts of animal cruelty and 49 counts of failing to dispose of carcasses after officers found 49 dead horses on his Pendleton County farm pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday.
Authorities were called to Larry Browning's farm April 7 after receiving an anonymous tip of a dead horse in a field.
Animal control officers said they also removed 14 out of 32 horses that were still alive on the farm in the 2200 block of KY-177 in Butler, Ky. The 14 horses removed were emaciated, officials said.
Officers said there was not enough hay on the farm to feed all 81 horses.
According to Animals’ Angels Inc., a non-profit organization that investigates cases of animal abuse in the United States, this incident wasn’t the first time Browning was accused of mistreating his animals. Animals’ Angels reports investigators found about 100 horses “very thin, emaciated, lethargic and coughing” on Browning’s farm in 2011.
“Some were penned in an area used for manure disposal, standing on ground covered with manure and urine, their hay thrown on top of the filth,” the report states.
Animals' Angels investigators said they obtained photographs taken at Browning’s farm on June 15, 2011 that show “extremely emaciated horses.”
A Kentucky Department of Agriculture inspector later visited the property and reported there was "nothing alarming” and complaints were "unfounded," according to the Animals' Angels report.
Kathy Rice, who lives near the farm, said Browning is a horse trader and has owned the Butler property for more than 20 years.
She said she bought horses from Browning in the past.
“He's been doing this a long time… it’s his livelihood,” Rice said. "Any horse that I have bought from him has been healthy, strong and everything.”
Rice said people who cannot take care of their horses often drop them off at Browning's farm.
She said Browning might have become overwhelmed by the number of horses taken to his property.
“People come by who can't afford their horses anymore and just turn them loose in the middle of the night,” she said.
Rice said Browning feeds the horses well and disagreed with the charges against him.
“He has hay out here all the time,” she said. “He grains them every day."
Man charged with not caring for horses misses court hearing
FALMOUTH, Ky. —The man accused of abusing dozens of horses in Pendleton County was a no-show in court for a preliminary hearing Tuesday.
Larry Browning faces 64 charges connected to dead and malnourished horses found on his property but the case was continued because he didn’t appear for the hearing.
“Obviously I am unhappy with that. I’m trying to get these horses turned over to the county as soon as possible,” Pendleton County Equine Investigator Scott Pracht said.
The remains of 49 horses were found on Browning’s farm just outside of Butler, Ky., last month. About 15 horses were seized by investigators.
“It was definitely one of the worst I've ever seen with the amount of deceased horses on the property,” Pracht said.
The county is footing the bill for keeping the horses, including vet costs, grooming, food and water.
Pracht said every delay adds to the time and money the county is paying.
“That’s why we still need the donations because who knows how long this case is going to last if he keep dragging it out like this,” Pracht said.
Browning’s attorney, Stacey Sanning, said she has advised him not to comment on the case.
“The people are dropping them off,” Browning told WLWT’s Brian Hamrick last month about the horses.
Browning denied any allegation of abuse.
“I’ve actually traded ponies and horses for 50 years. I’ve never been accused of starving anything in my life. I don’t believe in it. I wasn’t raised that way,” Browning said.
That’s the same thing Browning said in 2011 when he was investigated when 10 horses were in such bad shape they had to be euthanized. Browning was not charged in that case.
A warrant for Browning was not issued but one will be if he misses the next hearing set for May 27.
Charges dropped in Pendleton Co. horse cruelty case
Posted:
Jan 10, 2015 6:33 PM EST Updated:
Jan 10, 2015 11:28 PM EST
WITH VIDEO
PENDLETON COUNTY, KY (FOX19) - Pendleton County Prosecutor Jeff Dean made a plea deal with Larry Browning and his lawyers in the case where 49 horses were found dead on Browning's property.
Animal Control and Emergency Management responded to 2239 Ky. 117 in Butler City after an anonymous tip alerted them of dead horses on the property in April.
Thirty-five horses were found still alive on the property. Officials said 14 horses were taken to safe locations throughout Kenton County to be treated for malnourishment.
Browning was charged with 14 counts of cruelty to animals and 49 counts of failure to remove the carcasses within 48 hours.
According to Equine Investigator Scott Pracht, the plea deal was to dismiss all 14 counts of animal cruelty and merge all counts of failure to remove carcasses within 48 hours. Browning plead to an Alford Plea of 4 counts of failure to remove carcasses.
Pracht says Browning is allowed to keep the five horses he has and had to pay back the county $7,500 for the horses care during the case.
FOX19 NOW spoke with Pracht Saturday and he says the deal has him fuming.
"I'm very disgusted. I've been doing this for a long time and I've never run across a case where I've had this much evidence against somebody and for them to make a plea agreement without my knowledge," Pracht said.
The conditions of the horses made Pracht sick.
"You wouldn't believe it, I mean, horses entangled in barbed wire still decaying because....and ripped off all the tree bark because of the fact that horse couldn't get away, I mean, it's in dire mode. This is by far the worst case of animal cruelty I've seen. The most deceased animals I've ever seen on one single property," Pracht said.
More than a dozen dead horses were found dead at a Kentucky farm Monday.
Mason County Sheriff Patrick Boggs said he found 16 carcasses, fairly recent in their deaths, at the farm of Sam Jones, who is no stranger to the law.
For the 6th time since Christmas Eve, Mason County Sheriff's officials spent the afternoon repairing fences and rounding up horses that escaped from Sam Jones' farm. Sheriff Boggs said the horses were jumping the fences in search of food, and the ones that were found dead appeared to not have been fed properly.
"It appeared several of the horses were not being fed adequately," Boggs said.
Jones has a history of animal neglect. Sheriff Boggs said they have dealt with Jones as recently as six to eights months ago, and prior to that, at several different occasions.
Sheriff Boggs says his office won't stop working the case.
"We won't let it go. We are exhausting all means to take these horses off his hands to find someone to properly take care of them," he said.
Jones faces 16 charges of failure to dispose of a carcass and one charge of animal cruelty.
MAYSVILLE, Ky. -- Sixteen horses were found dead on a Mason County farm in Kentucky Monday.
Mason County Sheriff Patrick Boggs responded to the farm of George Samuel Jones on Key Pike after receiving tips of dead horses in the field.
But, this wasn't the first time that officers responded to this particular farm.
In 2010, Jones was charged with 30 counts of animal cruelty and six counts of failure to dispose of a carcass properly in 2010.
The charges were a result of an investigation after receiving tips of dead and mistreated animals -- similar to the tip reported to police on Monday.
The 2010 investigation determined 30 horses and donkeys on Jones' farm were neglected and left without food and water. Six of the 30 horses died.
As a result, Jones was given jail time and probation for two years. Boggs said Jones was recently released from that probation.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture laws for disposing of a carcass states specific ways for the dead animals to be disposed of and within a 48 hour time limit. The bodies found Monday were laying on the ground scattered across the farm.
In 2010, the six dead horses were found in a similar manner and Jones was charged for not disposing of them within the two day time frame.
Previously, Jones, 67, was filed against by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2008 for five issues relating to his farm including his equipment and inventory.
On Monday, officials removed seven more horses and mules from the farm for their safety.
Boggs told the Ledger-Independent that since Dec. 24, his department has responded to the farm for animals running at large four times. Monday's findings marked the fifth time police have been to Jones' farm in a week.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture and local police are investigating the case.
—A
Northern Kentucky farmer accused of animal cruelty after 16 horses were
found dead on his farm has turned over the rest of his animals.
The animals were removed from the farm on Key Pike in Mason County.
The
Mason County sheriff told WLWT that George Jones had 53 horses and
mules, and a sheep. They were all taken to a property in Fleming County.
On Dec. 29, investigators were called to Jones’ property after 16 dead horses were found.
As the cleanup progressed, 27 dead animals were found on the farm.
Jones,
67, was also charged with animal cruelty in 2010. Investigators said
they found horses and donkeys left without food and water. Some of those
animals died.
Three Horses Seized in Animal Cruelty Case , Three Charged
MADISONVILLE, Ky. (7/26/13) – In response to a complaint received in the
Hopkins County Attorney’s Office on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, three
defendants have been charged with Cruelty to Animals 2nd Degree and four
horses seized.
The Hopkins County Attorney’s Office was made
aware that at least one horse was being neglected at property located on
Randall Drive in Madisonville. Karey Roy Deardorff, Assistant Hopkins
County Attorney, has worked closely with investigators over the last 72
hours to get these horses into the protective custody of the Hopkins
County Humane Society.
“As both a prosecutor and a board member
of the Hopkins County Humane Society, I take animal cruelty cases very
seriously” stated Deardorff.
In late 2010, the Hopkins County
Attorney’s Office prosecuted a case in which 13 horses were found to be
severely neglected on the same Randall Drive property. “Due to the
history of these defendants, our primary focus is for the safety of all
the horses on the property” said Deardorff.
Earlier today, she
met with a Hopkins County District Judge to request not only seizure of
the horse on the property which shows immediately signs of neglect, but
further requested that the Hopkins County Humane Society be allowed to
seize all horses on the property.
If you are interested in fostering please contact the Hopkins County Humane Society at 270-821-8965.
SurfKY News
Information provided by Robin Murray (Hopkins County Attorney’s Office)
MADISONVILLE, KY (WFIE) -
For the second time in two years, a horse
caretaker in Hopkins County, and the horses owners are being charged with
animal cruelty.
Caretaker Kathleen Dickson and owners Rob and
Bonnie Ryder were charged back in August 2011 after 13 horses were seized from
a ranch on Randall Road in Madisonville.
On that same property, Dickson was taken away
by authorities again on Friday.
Police and Hopkins County Animal
Control Officers have seized four horses from a home in Hopkins County. This is
the same home where 13 horses were seized in 2011.
Officials arrived at 11
a.m., assessed the scene, unlatched the privacy gate, and took control of
horses. They say they're in poor
condition and getting worse.
Kathleen Dickson, the
caretaker and owner of two of the horses, was home when officials arrived on
Friday. Dickson stepped aside as professional seized the horses and Dickson was
arrested.
"As a prosecutor and
a board member for the Hopkins County Humane Society, I take animal cruelty
cases very seriously," says Karey Ray Deardorff.
Dickson, along with owners
Rob and Bonnie Ryder, will each face one count of second degree cruelty to
animals.
"It makes me furious
that these people just kept doing it" says Patricia Sadler "They've kept doing
it and they feel like they're above the law, that they can keep doing it."
Officials say a vet had
visited the residence and evaluated the horses on an 8-point scale: 1 being
grave and 8 obese.
One of the horses scored a
2.5, and the rest scored a 3-4.
"We've had a vet come out
do a professional assessment of body condition and it's unfortunate that some
people would allow an animal to get in that type of shape," says Charles
Gentry.
14 News will continue to keep you update on
the condition of the horses as they travel to a new residence in Morton's Gap.
Alleged horse neglect investigated on Woodford farm
Published: July 2, 2013
Officials with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Woodford County Animal Control are investigating an alleged case of neglected horses on property leased to once-prominent international trainer Wayne Murty on Old Frankfort Pike.
The 42-acre site in Woodford County is part of the former Hopewell Farm, which is in receivership and is scheduled to be auctioned July 16. In preparation for the auction, receiver Tim Cone obtained court authority last week to force tenants to leave.
On Monday, Cone said, he found the animal investigators at the farm. Cone said he is trying to sort out exactly what happened and could not say how many horses might be involved.
"I think maybe they had to put one down," Cone said. "It's not pleasant."
Murty did not immediately return a call for comment.
Woodford County Animal Control officials declined to elaborate because the case is open. State veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout could not be reached immediately for comment.
Woodford County Attorney Alan George said he will meet with animal control officers Wednesday to review the investigation. A decision about whether any charges will be filed might be made later this week.
Hopewell Farm, which was owned by Thoroughbred breeder Rick Trontz, once stood prominent stallions including Skip Away, Royal Anthem, K.O. Punch and others. The entire 587-acre farm, which is near WinStar and Three Chimneys farms, has been listed for $14.7 million. Skip Away died in 2010.
Animal Neglect Investigation Underway In Woodford County
Posted: Jul 2, 2013 3:54 PM
Investigators are checking out reports of neglect on a central Kentucky farm, where some horses had to be euthanized.
The open investigation is unfolding at Hopewell Farm in Woodford County. Investigators tell LEX 18 that nearly two dozen horses were found in deplorable conditions, living in stalls filled with feces. The animals also appeared to be very malnourished, and two of them have been put down.
Woodford County Animal Control and the State Agriculture Department received complaints about the farm Monday. It's being leased by the owner of the horses, which are in the process of being moved since the farm is for sale.
The owner of the horses declined to comment. At last word, no charges had been filed in this case.
Men Involved In Animal Neglect Investigation Arrested
Police have arrested two men at the center of an animal cruelty investigation in Woodford County.
Duane and Wayne Murty said they were not to blame for the condition of the horses.
Vets had to put two of the animals down.
The Murtys blamed the horses bad health on a toxic weed called creeping buttercup.
They said an equine expert told them the weed was poisoning their horses.
The men moved their remaining horses to a farm in Bourbon County.
Animal Control officers investigated after receiving complaints of malnourished horses on the property earlier this month.
Wayne Murty admits the stalls in the barn were full of manure. He says they were feeding them hay and grain trying to keep the horses away from the toxic weed.
Police arrested Duane and Wayne Murty Thursday and charged them with second degree cruelty to animals, according to the Woodford County jail website.
Woodford County brothers plead not guilty to animal cruelty
Published: July 30, 2013
VERSAILLES — Twin brothers have each pleaded not guilty to seven counts of second-degree animal cruelty in Woodford County after emaciated horses were found to be in their care.
Otis Wayne Murty, 77, and his twin brother, Anson Duane Murty, entered not guilty pleas Monday in Woodford District Court. They are scheduled to appear again before Judge Vanessa Dickson on Aug. 19 after they have hired attorneys.
According to an arrest warrant filed in Woodford County, the brothers "jointly had charge" of about 30 horses, including mares and foals, at Hopewell Farm near Midway.
On July 1, complaining witness Susan Jones said she found 24 horses in a barn and five foals in paddocks outside the barn. Five horses were "observed ... to be in an obviously unhealthy state."
In addition, a 2-year-old filly was found "down and dying in the barn," and another 2-year-old filly, "found back out of sight on the property," was found to be down and dying.
"Both horses were deemed not saveable by a veterinarian" and were
humanely euthanized, the warrant says. "Necropsy reports indicated that
these two horses were emaciated at the time of death."
One of the other five sickly horses was found dead July 10 after it was moved to Bourbon County, the warrant says
Wayne
Murty and his brother "each had said that a vet had recommended that
this horse should have been humanely euthanized months ago, but they
simply could not bring themselves to do so," the warrant says.
The remaining horses were put under quarantine, and their conditions are being monitored."Each
defendant accepted responsibility to the daily care of the horses,"
although Wayne Murty acknowledged that he was in charge, the warrant
says. Duane Murty was living in a trailer on Hopewell Farm.
The
two brothers were arrested July 25. Duane Murty was released from the
Woodford County jail after posting bond, but on Tuesday afternoon, the
jail website showed that Wayne Murty was still incarcerated.
Wayne
Murty, a once-prominent international trainer, told the Herald-Leader
earlier this month that the horses became sick after consuming a toxic
weed called creeping buttercup.
Hopewell Farm, former home to 1998 Horse of the Year Skip Away, was sold at auction on July 16.
Second-degree animal cruelty is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $500 fine.
Twin Brothers Make Unusual Court Appearance In Woodford County Animal Cruelty Case
It was supposed to be an in and out court appearance, but the
arraignment of twin brothers in Woodford County on animal cruelty
charges turned into an attempt to plead their case Monday.
From the beginning, 77-year-old brothers Wayne and Duane Murty seemed
confused about what usually happens during their first court
appearance. "Just listen to me now," the judge said. Duane then said, "I
plead not guilty." To which the judge said, "Will you listen to me
first?"
Both brothers were arrested and charged with seven counts of animal
cruelty stemming from allegations that animal control officers found 24
of the 30 horses in a barn living in stalls filled with dirty hay and
feces. Two horses had to be put down.
"Did you read your complaint and understand those charges?" asked the
judge. "I know what the paper says," said Duane. "I don't agree with
it."
Both brothers also disagreed about their bond. Prosecutors say they
had a hard time tracking them down, due to the fact they've been living
in a camper that moves from place to place.
At one point, Duane said to the judge, "Excuse me, what did you say
honey?" The judge replied, saying, "I said your risk level, I'm not
honey. Your risk level is low moderate." Brother Wayne's risk level was
even higher. Both have a few failure to appear charges on traffic
related charges in Fayette County.
"Do you think I won't show up for the court date?" asked Wayne. "I
don't know if you will or not," said the judged. To which Wayne replied,
"C'mon. Our whole life's work is wrapped up in those horses."
Wayne Murty has told LEX 18 previously that the horses health declined because of a poisonous weed on the farm.
SPEAK UP offers a TRAINING PROGRAM on recognizing horse abuse and neglect. If your local (Kentucky) animal control officers, horse clubs, lawyers, judges, magistrates, prosecutors, or uniformed officials are interested in our training program, please contact us.
