Police arrested a woman after officials found more than a dozen dead or severely malnourished horses on her Jasper County farm.
Seven of the horses were dead, highway workers had to use heavy machinery to remove the carcasses because some were frozen to the ground, stated authorities.
Deborah Turosi, 52, was arrested on charges of cruelty to animals and failure to dispose of dead animals. If convicted, she could face from six months to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
She was released from jail on $5,000 bond. A hearing was scheduled to be held March 2004 to determine if she should regain custody of the surviving animals.
Police searched Turosi's farm near Wheatfield, about 60 miles north of Lafayette, on Friday after receiving complaints from neighbors.
Officials had ordered Turosi to bury or remove six dead horses a week earlier and to properly care for the others. But Risner said Turosi made no effort to dispose of the dead animals and allowed a 7-month-old colt to die without euthanasia.
The surviving horses were taken to an undisclosed animal rescue shelter, where veterinarians believe the animals can be saved.
Some of the dead horses had been left unburied for months and posed a public health risk.
Veterinarians from the State Board of Health have inspected the farm at least four times since 1992 because of complaints of poor feeding and care.
Turosi lived in the house alone except for about 20 cats, police said. She also kept five dogs. Risner said the dogs were not fed properly and one had apparently eaten part of one of the horse carcasses. Case Updates| Posted on Aug 9, 2004 - 8:10PM | | A judge has sentenced Turoci to one year on probation. Turoci was also ordered by Jasper Circuit Court Duane Daughtery on Tuesday not to own or keep horses for one year. Turoci pleaded guilty to failure to dispose of a dead animal. | | Source: The Times |
| Posted on Jun 28, 2004 - 1:25PM | The Jasper County Sheriff�s Department found new homes for eight horses removed from the property of Deborah Turoci.
Turoci's trial on charges of cruelty to animals and failure to dispose of dead animals is scheduled for June 29. If convicted, she could face from six months to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. |
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