Horse neglect - 5 seized
Dickerson, MD (US)Incident Date: Friday, Oct 3, 2008
County: Montgomery
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged: Robert Curry
Montgomery County authorities have raided a farm and seized five abused and neglected horses.
Investigators say it happened on Friday on Martinsburg Road in Dickerson after animal services received a call for horses on the loose and a possible dead horse on the property.
Although five horses were seized in the raid, investigators say 26 others are being monitored and one was found dead-likely of starvation. But while the seized animals are in frightening physical condition at a Howard County rescue farm, rescue workers say they are the lucky ones.
Brooke Brany is the director of programs and emergency services at the Days End Farm in Lisbon, where the animals are being examined. She told FOX 5 she spent the weekend working with the animals after they were found.
"The natures, the dispositions are wonderful," said Brany. "Horses are very forgiving."
One look will tell you there's a lot to forgive. Many of the horses are visibly thin, and show obvious signs of neglect.
Brany says horse neglect is skyrocketing as the economy sinks, and far fewer people have the resources to adopt rescues.
"Not because the horses are not as good or as sweet or as loving, but the homes are not available," said Brany.
But there is another reason to be hopeful for these horses. One horse named Excaliber had injuries to his hooves when he was seized in an abuse case six months ago. But after help from rescue workers and donations, he has recovered.
"It's not our history to back down," said Brany. "We support those who support them, and together we can find justice."
Police have charged 30-year-old Robert Curry of Poolesville with nine counts of animal cruelty in connection to the case. He was released on $25,000 bond, but FOX 5 was unable to reach him for comment.
According to Days End Farm, Marylanders have been prosecuted for the abuse or neglect of 32 horses so far this year. Maryland recently revised the law to make some forms of animal abuse a felony. References« MD State Animal Cruelty Map
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