Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Horse neglect, two found dead

Horse neglect, two found dead
Cherry Valley, OH (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007
County: Ashtabula
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Christopher Russell
» Christina Thomas

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Case ID: 10815

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: horse

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Humane society agents are investigating a possible case of animal cruelty involving horses that were found dead or starving, and others that were missing.

The investigation is under way in Cherry Valley, in Ashtabula County.

Humane officials found two horses dead on a property in Cherry Valley, possibly starved and frozen to the ground, NewsChannel5 reported.

One was found next to a shed, the other in a snow field 100 yards away. Agents suspect that two other horses are buried nearby.

"They're very, very skinny. Horses should have muscle mass and these are pretty much skin covering bone," said veterinarian Lauren Wade.

An older pony named Buffy is still alive, but is extremely malnourished.

"She is very thin. Apparently has been without food and water for some time," said Colleen Forbes, of the Ashtabula County Humane Society.

Nine other horses seemed to have vanished from the property. The owners told agents that the animals were moved to West Virginia, but investigators were skeptical.

The horses have since been found inside a Williamsfield barn. Agents told NewsChannel5 that some of the horses appear to be malnourished and several are pregnant.

"We have reason to believe that may not be the case. We're following a couple of leads where the horses may be," said Forbes.

At the very least, agents said this was neglect. The owners are going through a divorce and may not have the money to care for the animals, but some neighbors call it abuse.

"Abuse of animals like that. That's ridiculous. It's hard to believe," said neighbor Dorothy Muha.

The Humane Society worried about improper shelter and monitored the property for months.

"Why did they let it go so long? To wait until the horses die?" said Tucker Muha.

The case will be turned over to prosecutors to decide if the owners should be charged.

Case Updates

The woman accused of neglecting 10 horses and killing three will be judged by a panel of her peers in a jury trial set to begin July 18.

Christina Thomas and her friends, Christopher Russell and Robert Smith, have each been charged with obstruction of justice and three counts of animal cruelty after Ashtabula County Humane Society agents found an emaciated pony and two dead horses on Thomas' Cherry Valley farm and had to search for the rest of the missing herd. The other nine horses, four of them pregnant, were found at a Williamsfield Township farm a few days later.

Thomas requested evidentiary hearings involving the discovery of evidence in the case. Thomas requested a jury trial in her case in April, Eastern County Court records show.

A hearing on Thomas' case status will be held July 16 in Judge Robert Wynn's courtroom, court records show.

Smith also filed for discovery of evidence. Ashtabula County Assistant Prosecutor Gene Barrett and Smith's defense lawyer will discuss the case further in a pre-trial hearing June 28, court records show.

The 10 surviving horses of the Loveland Road property are being held by the Ashtabula County Humane Society until a court's ruling otherwise.
Russell, Smith and Thomas couldn't be reached for comment.

Thomas denies having neglected the animals and told police that she believes the animals were poisoned.

The Humane Society has 20 horses in it's care, including the 10 Loveland Road horses and new foal, Thunder, who was born to one of the neglected mares early this month.

To help the Humane Society, checks can be sent to The Ashtabula Humane Society, P.O. Box 422, Jefferson, 44047. Write the word "horses" on the check.
Businesses that wish to donate feed, hay or other supplies can call (440) 969-6100 or visit www.ACHSOhio.org or e-mail [email protected].

Source: The Star Beacon - May 21, 2007
Update posted on Jun 2, 2007 - 12:13AM

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Every morning when the barn door opens, Ruby the horse lifts her head and nickers for her breakfast.

Ruby, who is pregnant and due in April, is one of 10 surviving horses taken from a Loveland Road barn in Cherry Valley Township.

Though she was shy and weak at first, Ruby perks up at any sign of affection or food. Her brown and white paint coat is starting to shine and her eyes are showing signs of health, Ashtabula County Humane Agent Colleen Fobes said.

Humane agents Donna Yan and Fobes are happy to see the horses thrive in their new foster homes, but are concerned that there maybe more horses that are still being neglected.

"Ms. Thomas considered herself a horse breeder, which is where many of these horses came from," Yan said. "The more we think about it, the more concerned we are that we didn't find all the horses," she said.

One live pony and three dead horses were found on Thomas' property, though the humane agents counted as many as 16 horses on the farm at one time. The other nine living horses were found in Williamsfield Township where the agents believe Thomas was going to sell them, including the pregnant mares, at a slaughter auction.

The agent's immediate concern is for Ruby and the other fostered horses. Feed, supplies and veterinary and hoof trimming services for the horses are fast depleting the Humane Society coffers.

The agents are asking for supplies and monetary donations to help support the horses, including bales of hay, gift certificates to the Western Reserve Feed Store, horse blankets and other necessities and money for veterinary bills.

"Someone from Assumption Church in Geneva sent us $11. That is three bales of hay right there. Someone else, bless them, sent us a $138 check to cover the pony's veterinary bill," ACHS treasurer Ann Taft said.

"Every dime helps and we can't say how much we appreciate everyone who thinks of these horses," Taft said.

To help the Humane Society, checks can be sent to The Ashtabula Humane Society, P.O. Box 422, Jefferson 44047. Write the word "horses" on the check.

Businesses or individuals who wish to donate feed, hay or other supplies can call Nancy Frasier at (440-594-1482). Anyone with information on the whereabouts of other Loveland Road horses can call Colleen Fobes at (440-812-2945) .

Source: Star Beacon - March 16, 2007
Update posted on Mar 17, 2007 - 11:52AM

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The deep auburn color of the mare's coat is dull, her head hangs low and her hind hooves are grossly overgrown.

Pregnant and due in April, the mare was one of 10 horses taken from a Loveland Road barn in Cherry Valley after Ashtabula County Humane Society agents found an emaciated pony and two dead horses on the property and had to search for the rest of the missing herd.

The other nine horses, four of them pregnant, were found at a Williamsfield Township farm a few days later, Ashtabula County Humane Society agent Donna Yan said.

Now the Ashtabula County prosecutor's office, backed by the Humane Society and the Ashtabula County Sheriff's Department, is moving toward criminal charges in the case.

Christopher Russell, of Dorset has been charged with obstruction of justice and three counts of animal cruelty for his role in the apparent neglect, Yan said.

Kristy Thomas, who originally claimed ownership of the horses, has not been charged. Russell is believed to be Thomas' boyfriend.

Two of the horses had to be moved from one foster home when Russell and Thomas drove up to the barn and took photos of the property, Yan said.

Russell and Thomas couldn't be reached for comment.

Yan said the condition of the horses and the Loveland Road property is deplorable.

"I believe this wasn't just neglect. These horses were starved, dehydrated and lacked veterinary and farrier care," Yan said. "When they were moved to the farm in Williamsfield, they still had no hay or grain or water. No one had any intention of taking care of these horses," she said.

Thomas denies having neglected the animals and told Cleveland that she believes the animals were poisoned, police reports show.

Yan said Thomas or Russell moved the horses when they were warned the humane agents were coming back to the property. Thomas told the humane agents the horses were taken to a farm in West Virginia, police reports show.

"Sources tell us the horses were most likely going to the Bloomfield auction, where they would have sold for meat for 50 cents a pound," Yan said.

All of the horses are in foster care and have been vetted and vaccinated. Their hooves have been trimmed and they have all been renamed, Yan said.

"Every one of these horses are 200 to 300 pounds underweight. Some have bad skin problems and all of them are dehydrated," Yan said. "But they are in good hands now. Now, they have hay and water all the time and each has an indoor stall," she said.

Source: Star Beacon - March 6, 2007
Update posted on Mar 17, 2007 - 11:52AM

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Horse neglect, two found deadCherry Valley, OH (US)

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Horse neglect, two found dead
Cherry Valley, OH (US)