Horse neglect Weirton, WV (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jul 11, 2008 County: Hancock
Disposition: Alleged Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged: Fernando Mastrantoni
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
The Hancock County Sheriff's Office is investigating animal abuse allegations involving several horses found on Rolling Acres Lane just off Route 8 near New Cumberland.
Mike White, the Hancock County sheriff, is at the scene right now and he said there is one horse in bad condition, saying it's suffering from a one-foot-long cut.
White said the land is privately owned and this isn't the first time they've had a problem there.
Friday morning White said the sheriff's department got a warrant to search the property after receiving several complaints.
Right now the horses and the livestock are being transported to a veterinarian hospital.
White said charges will be filed against the property owner.
Case UpdatesA local horse owner is in police custody, facing animal cruelty charges. Fernando Mastrantoni, 44, of Weirton, is accused of neglecting his horses. Deputies said one horse has a large open wound on its shoulder, so bad a veterinarian will decide if it must be euthanized.
Hancock County Sheriff Mike White said the animal cruelty charges came after a two-month investigation by the dog warden.
"It's sickening. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't care. They think they're caring for animals. This case was horrendous. No horse should suffer like this horse did," said Nicole Busick, Hancock County Dog Warden.
The sheriff said that when Mastrantoni turned himself in, he didn't understand why he was in trouble. The sheriff said other horses are still in Mastrantoni's care and a vet will decide whether to remove them. | Source: WTOV - July 14, 2008 Update posted on Jul 14, 2008 - 4:57PM |
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