Target: Mary Pat Donnelly, District Attorney of Rensselaer County, New York
Goal: Prosecute the man allegedly responsible for leaving eleven horses and a cow without food, water, or hoof care in manure piled up to six feet deep.
Law enforcement responded to reports of horses and a cow being kept in unsafe conditions and discovered animals allegedly trapped in manure buildup measuring between two and six feet deep. According to authorities, the 11 horses and one cow found at the property had been left without sufficient food, water, or hoof care. The manure accumulation was seemingly so severe that firefighters from a local fire department had to be called in to help physically remove the animals from their stalls.
A 35-year-old man has been charged with 12 counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals for allegedly failing to provide proper sustenance to the horses and cow. Authorities say they determined he was responsible for the animals’ care despite not living at the residence where they were found — raising serious questions about the duration and extent of the alleged neglect. All 12 animals were subsequently transferred to the care of four separate rescue organisations across multiple states, a logistical undertaking that underscores the sheer scale of the recovery effort required.
The 12 charges filed in this case reflect the seriousness of the alleged neglect — but a mere appearance ticket and release does not yet reflect the gravity of what these animals apparently endured. Demand the District Attorney of Rensselaer County prosecutes this case to the fullest extent of the law and seeks a sentence that includes a permanent prohibition on animal ownership.
PETITION LETTER:
DA Mary Pat Donnelly,
We are writing in urgent response to a deeply troubling case in which 11 horses and a cow were reportedly trapped in manure piled between two and six feet deep, allegedly without adequate food, water, or hoof care. The conditions were reportedly so severe that firefighters had to assist in removing the animals from their stalls. A 35-year-old man has been charged with 12 counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals after investigators determined he was responsible for the animals’ care — despite not residing at the property where they were found.
We are gravely concerned that the accused was released on an appearance ticket following arraignment. The scale of this suspected neglect — twelve animals reportedly suffering in filth, deprivation, and physical deterioration — demands a prosecutorial response commensurate with its severity. Horses left standing in manure up to six feet deep suffer serious and painful physical consequences, including hoof disease and leg damage, that can cause lasting harm or death.
We respectfully demand that your office pursue the maximum available penalties on all 12 counts, and that any sentencing outcome include a permanent or long-term ban on animal ownership and care. These twelve animals allegedly endured prolonged suffering at the hands of someone entrusted with their welfare — we ask that your office ensure they receive the justice they deserve.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Michael Garlick
