Case Details

Starving horses and pony seized
Staunton, VA (US)

Incident Date: Friday, May 12, 2006
County: Staunton City
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted

Abusers/Suspects:
» Ronald Rexrode
» Denise Rexrode - Dismissed
» Ronald W Rexrode, Jr - Dismissed

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 8635
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: horse
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A�black mare, still and quiet, watches people walking back and forth outside her stall. Her lower lip droops as though in a pout. A closer look reveals prominent rib bones. Her hip bones protrude grotesquely. Her movements appear sluggish. The Tennessee Walking horse was among seven other horses and a pony confiscated Friday by Staunton police from a farm at 1200 Stuart St.

Police arrested Ronald Rexrode, 44, of Staunton on one charge of cruelty to animals. Denise Rexrode, 40, and Ronald Wayne Rexrode Jr., 19, both of 416 F St. in Staunton, also have been charged with one count each of animal cruelty.

During a search of the property, the animals were found to be "extremely emaciated" by Charlotte Robinson, a retired state veterinarian and director of veterinary services for Code 3 Associates, according to a police report. The nonprofit trains people for animal related law enforcement. Debbie Caywood, director of the Augusta Regional SPCA, was with police when the horses were seized. The SPCA is caring for the animals at an undisclosed farm in the area until they can be adopted out. Caywood and authorities found a mostly eaten round bale of hay and a few bags of grain on the Stuart Street property, Caywood said. "We had been receiving calls from people going by Stuart Street and seeing the horses," Caywood said. "When we saw them, we knew immediately they were in urgent need of care."

Under the SPCA's care, the horses and pony have been getting a carefully apportioned diet of hay, grains and fresh pasture. Because they have had so little food over several months, their digestive systems have to be treated delicately. "You can't just throw food at them, and they're better overnight," Caywood said.

The Tennessee Walking horse is nursing a foal, estimated to be 3 to 4 months old. She was so malnourished that her milk had nearly dried up. But her foal nursed happily Tuesday, Caywood said, thanks to the food and water his mother has been getting over the last several days. "All of them are doing so much better," she said. "They were so nervous and anxious when we first found them in that field. They're much more relaxed and content. It's as though they know they're out of danger."

Case Updates

Ronald Wayne Rexrode was convicted of one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty on July 21, 2006. He was sentenced to a 12-month suspended sentence and a fine of $196.00. Charges against his wife and son were dismissed.
Source: Staunton District Court #GC06002992-00
Update posted on Mar 10, 2007 - 5:04PM 

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References

The News Leader - May 17, 2006
3WHSV-TV/DT - May 19, 2006

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