Rescue neglect-25 horses surrendered
Glenville, PA (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Aug 30, 2011
County: York

Charges: Summary
Disposition: Civil penalty imposed

Alleged: Frances Ruth Langrall

York County SPCA officials are caring for more than two dozen horses from a Codorus Township animal rescue and have cited the rescue's owner.

Three counts of summary animal cruelty were filed Tuesday against Frances R. Langrall, 58, of 3885 Winding Lane, by Humane Police Officer Nicole Boyer, according to court records.

Langrall is listed as president of Happy Ending Farms Inc., a corporation registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State, according to state records.

Melissa Smith, executive director of the York County SPCA, said Langrall is not accused of physically abusing any of the horses.

"It was neglect that arose from untreated medical ailments," she said.

According to one citation, a thoroughbred mare was suffering from an open wound that required several months of medical care, including the removal of dead tissue.

Another citation alleges a thoroughbred mare suffered bandage sores from improper wound care. The third citation states that two other thoroughbreds were underweight and had rain rot, which is a skin infection.

Langrall willingly relinquished ownership of 25 horses to the SPCA in May, Smith said; since then, two of the mares have given birth to foals.

The majority are thoroughbreds, but also include a Clydesdale, a Haflinger and paints, Boyer said.

'Overall neglect': Boyer said she saw overall neglect of the horses at Langrall's farm, including hoof problems, feeding schedules and a lack of hay. Many of the horses were in poor physical condition, but not serious enough to warrant charges or seizure of the animals, she said.

"There wasn't any medical neglect," Langrall told The York Dispatch, saying she had provided the animals with medical care. "I love my horses."

SPCA officials don't dispute she loves the horses.

"It's my opinion that ... people start out with the best of intentions when they want to rescue animals," Smith said. "But they can easily become overwhelmed by the volume of animals, and the cost and labor of their medical needs."

The care and upkeep of horses can be expensive, difficult and time-consuming, Boyer said.

Personal issues: Langrall agreed she'd begun to feel overwhelmed, and said she has been struggling with family and health issues.

"I'm not a bad person," she said.

Langrall, who still has 20 horses on her property, said she will not fight the citations against her.

Boyer said Langrall has been working with the SPCA.

"She's made improvements all around," Boyer said. "There's no reason at this point to remove any more animals. She just felt she could do more for these horses than she is capable of."

Homes needed: The horses are in temporary foster care and will be available for adoption.

"But that won't happen until their medical needs are completely resolved and their abilities are assessed, so that we may place them in appropriate homes," Smith said. "Our hope is to expedite that process because we can't continue to maintain them, financially and labor-wise. ... They really need to be moved to different locations before the winter."

Boyer said a few of the young horses have socialization issues, but the adult horses have good, docile dispositions and tend to be gentle.

"Some of them are rideable, and some will be trained to be rideable," Boyer said. "They will make great companions. ... At this point, they're looking better and they're feeling better."

Some of the horses might not be good for riding, but they still could be great "pasture pets," Smith said.

Equine fund: So far, the SPCA has spent several thousand dollars on the horses for board fees, feeding costs and veterinary care, Smith said.

It's depleted the organization's Equine Care Fund, which Smith said is a special fund for horse enthusiasts who want to donate money that goes only to horses. Smith is asking the public to consider donating to the fund, or even donating feed or hay.

For more information on the Equine Care Fund, or on adopting a horse or any pet, go to

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