 Horse neglect
Halfmoon, NY (US)Date: Mar 26, 2003
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: John McCadden
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New York State police seized a horse from a Johnson Road farm on March 26, citing its owner, Mechanicville resident John McCadden, for animal cruelty and neglect. Authorities say McCadden will be arraigned in Halfmoon Town Court at 7 p.m. on April 3.
The horse was seized from a Halfmoon farm belonging to McCadden's uncle Edwin Ciepiela. The horse is in the custody of the Capital District Humane Association, a nonprofit organization that shelters unwanted and abused animals.
"I just want my horse back," McCadden said Tuesday.
According to McCadden, the horse is a 26-year-old stallion, retired from Saratoga Race Course. About five years ago, McCadden said he acquired four horses from a family that no longer wanted them. He later sold the two younger horses, but kept the stallion and a 24-year-old mare.
"I made sure they had enough water and feed every day," he said.
The mare was euthanized this winter after police responded to concerned calls of an abandoned dead horse in the field. The mare was not dead, but had fallen into deep snow and was too sick to stand. After euthanizing the mare, McCadden said a veterinarian told him to give the stallion more food.
"I did everything the vet told me to do," McCadden said.
McCadden said he was not able to speak to CDHA President Jennifer Politis or the veterinarian when they decided to have the horse seized because they arrived two hours late for a follow-up visit.
"They legally stole my horse," McCadden said. "They didn't give me a chance."
Politis said state police were willing to press charges earlier, but McCadden was given time to improve his care for the animal.
"That horse is in pretty bad condition," said Politis, noting there may be more charges pertaining to other animals on the farm.
"I would like to know that (the owner) is going to be made responsible for these animals."
Politis said that while people often buy horses cheaply at auctions, they can't afford to properly care for them. McCadden apparently said he can't afford to hire a lawyer to represent him in court. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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