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Case #14970 Rating: 3.0 out of 5
Horse tied out without shelter, entangled in rope
Kingston, NH (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Nov 6, 2008
County: Rockingham
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Joseph Sholomith
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Thanks to the cooperation of the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (N.H. SPCA) and an equine veterinarian, an injured horse name Bubba is finally in safe hands and on the mend.
In early November, Kingston police received a report from a homeowner at 100 New Boston Road that a tenant who rented a room at her residence had left a 10-year-old Percheron horse named Bubba "tied off to a post with a rope and left there with no shelter."
It was reported that the horse had become "entangled in the rope," thus limiting his movement.
On Nov. 6, Officer John Ventura informed the renter, Joseph Sholomith, 50, that he had "until the end of the week" to find adequate shelter for the horse. At the time, Sholomith was also informed of New Hampshire laws for the proper keeping of horses.
By Nov. 10, the horse "had become lame and had two severe lacerations on the hind feet above the hoof," authorities said, noting that "the wound appeared to have been from the rope Bubba was tied to earlier in the week."
According to police "the wounds were severe in nature and did not allow the horse to put pressure on the right hind leg." Police Chief Donald Briggs Jr. said the horse was in "obvious discomfort" and noted that the "foot was cut all the way to the tendon."
SPCA's cruelty investigator, Steven Sprowl, was notified and advised that the "horse needed to be put into protective custody," Briggs said.
Bubba was seized and brought for treatment at TNT Equine Veterinary Clinic in Dover where he is under the care of veterinarian Staci Kehir.
"What I can comment on is we did assist the police department in removing a horse from a residence," Sprowl said, noting that the horse is "still there for medical issues and is still being treated by the vet and staff at the SPCA."
Authorities have charged Sholomith with three counts of animal cruelty, including failure to provide necessary shelter, suffering from the wounds, and failure to provide veterinary services to an animal.
"This was a horrific situation," Briggs said. "This animal was suffering severely and needed immediate medical care from a veterinarian."
Briggs praised Ventura who "was able to put this case together in a timely manner."
Sprowl said anyone with information on possible animal-abuse cases can call their area police department or the SPCA, located in Stratham, directly.
"It doesn't matter," Sprowl said, "as long as they call somebody and don't allow the ...; (animal) ...; to suffer."
To contact the SPCA call 772-2921 or Kingston Police at 642-5742.
Case UpdatesJoseph M. Sholomith was convicted of two counts of animal cruelty on Monday in Plaistow District Court for mistreating his horse.
Sholomith, whose age and address were not released, was arrested by Kingston police on Nov. 20 of last year.
Police said the horse was left tied to a post without shelter and became tangled up in the rope, developing severe lacerations on its hind feet that prevented it from putting pressure on its right hind leg.
Police Chief Don Briggs said his departmenty has never had a case quite like this one.
"Over the years, we've had a few cases of animal cruelty where the individuals have been prosecuted, but this is the first case where we've charged someone with animal cruelty to a horse," the chief said.
When Sholomith was arrested, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took custody of the horse.
Plaistow District Court Judge Peter G. Hurd ruled Monday that Sholomith will have no visitation rights until the SPCA consents.
Plaistow District Court Clerk Jan LaRhette said Sholomith must pay a $1,000 fine and is not to possess horses until a further order from the court states otherwise.
Restitution is to be determined by Aug. 10, LaRhette said. | | Update posted on Aug 10, 2009 - 3:06PM |
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