Horse neglect
Pompey, NY (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Mar 15, 2007
County: Onondaga
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Joan Gronau
A Pompey woman accused of animal abuse was charged in court on March 21. Joan Gronau was arraigned on eight charges of animal cruelty, including improper confinement, improper sustenance, and unjustifiable injury.
The charges stemmed from a flood on Thursday, March 15, during which the SPCA was alerted to the abuse. SPCA workers and firefighters responded to a call about horses that were trapped in floodwaters when Limestone Creek ran over its bank. The 5 animals were in distress when rescuers showed up, and neighbors told them that this wasn't the first time. Neighbors told rescuers the horses always looked "malnourished and not healthy." The SPCA alerted police and found out Gronau was the owner.
Wednesday's hearing began the first of the official charges. Pompey Court officials declined to give further information and said the District Attorney's office and the judge in the case didn't want to divulge anything further.
At the scene of the flood, rescuers were able to save 4 out of 5 of the horses. A yearling died before workers showed up, and the other disoriented horses didn't want to leave its side. Eventually, the dead horse was brought ashore and then a boatload of hay was taken out as bait to try and entice the other four horses onto land. The horses took the bait and were hauled to shore and placed in a waiting trailer where they were checked by a veterinarian. Hypothermia was a big concern. References« NY State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Onondaga County, NY
|
