NORTH CAROLINA -- The owner of a Winston-Salem farm where 35 hackney ponies were seized last summer has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of animal cruelty.
Renan Carter pleaded guilty to one felony count and three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty in the Forsyth County Hall of Justice on Wednesday.
Carter faces three days in jail–one day for each of the three horses that died–18 months probation and more than $8,000 in fines.
A judge also told Carter he can no longer own horses, except for an old, blind horse that only he has cared for. Animal control is allowed to check on the horse periodically.
Carter owns Renn-Brook Farms, where animal control officers seized 35 hackney ponies last July. Animal control officials said they consulted with Carter weeks before the seizure, but he did nothing after the consultation.
Officers found one horse dead during the seizure, and two others died while they were being cared for after the seizure. Most of the horses were starving and in need of grooming and hoof care, animal control officers said.
David Freedman, Carter’s attorney, said Carter has accepted responsibility for his actions and never intended for things to get out of hand.
“We are pleased it is over, and Mr. Carter has been held accountable,” said Tim Jennings with Forsyth County Animal Control.
Jennings said the county has spent $25,000 caring for the horses since the seizure. That cost is despite the help of more than 25 volunteers and foster farms in four different counties.
“We didn’t spend some money we planned to on other programs and cut out any training and that sort of thing we had planned,” Jennings said.
All but four of the horses have been adopted. Anyone who wants to adopt the remaining horses is asked to call Forsyth County Animal Control at (336) 703-3647.
(WGHP - March 7, 2012)
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