Forsyth County Animal Control Director Tim Jennings said the horses were two of the sickest taken from Renn-Brook Farm off Griffith Road on July 7.
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| Forsyth County Animal Control Officer Ricky Beeson handles two mares at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds that were among the 35 rescued from Renn-Brook Farm last week. |
"These were two that had been identified by the veterinarian for special care," Jennings said.
One was euthanized Sunday, the other one Tuesday, Jennings said.
The owner of the horses, Renan L. Carter, 66, has been charged with 35 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and one felony count. The felony count is in connection with the death of one horse at the farm that died before the others were seized.
Jennings said necropsies will be done on the two dead animals to determine the cause of death. Those results will be sent to the district attorney's office and prosecutors will decide if the charges against Carter will be changed because two more horses have now died, he said.
Carter's attorney, David Freedman, said his client would never intentionally hurt an animal.
"All of this is devastating to him," he said. "His life has been horses. He loves horses."
One of the horses died Sunday at the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds, where they were taken after being removed from the farm.
The one that died Tuesday was euthanized in a quarantine barn run by the Horse Education and Rescue Organization.
Lesley Hunt, president of the organization, said both horses that died were sweet-natured.
"They were lovely ponies," she said.
The female horse that died at the barn seemed to be improving but could not overcome her health problems, Hunt said.
"She seemed to be coming along," she said. "Obviously she was just too far gone."
Jennings said all the horses have been removed from the fairgrounds and placed in foster settings pending the outcome of the court case.
Carter's next court date is scheduled for July 29.
(Winston-Salem Journal - July 16, 2011)
