HANOVER COUNTY, VA WOMAN CONVICTED ON 11 COUNTS OF ANIMAL CRUELTY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RICHMOND, VA, May 21, 2010- A Hanover County woman was convicted yesterday on eleven counts of animal cruelty after one horse was found dead on the property and ten others were found suffering from neglect and starvation. The horses, located in western Hanover County, were seized January 12, 2010 by Hanover County Animal Control assisted by volunteers from the United States Equine Rescue League. Hale had failed to follow care and feeding recommendations given her by a local veterinarian and Hanover County Animal Control on a previous visit. Besides starvation, the horses suffered from lice, skin infections, open sores, severely long hooves and most were encrusted with feces.
Calling the case a perfect definition of animal cruelty, Circuit Court Judge, The Honorable Peter L. Trible, admonished the owner, Karyn Hale of Mechanicsville, for neglecting and starving the horses. He sentenced Hale to 110 days active jail time. Hale was also ordered not to own or care for any horses or other livestock for 24 months and after that time can approach the court for permission. She also lost ownership of the 9 horses owned by her. The 10th horse, boarded by Hale, was returned to its owner a few weeks after seizure.
The nine horses are still being cared for and rehabilitated by the United States Equine Rescue League in the Richmond area. It is expected the horses will be released into the permanent custody of the USERL within the next several days.
USERL, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was created in 1997 to educate the public about proper care of their equines and to rehabilitate and eventually find approved permanent homes for neglected and abused horses.
United States Equine Rescue League (USERL)
P.O. Box 28378
Richmond, VA 23228
Susan White
Director – Richmond Region
United States Equine Rescue League
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