Shannon Trowbridge, 24, of 77 Cheshire Road, surrendered to state police at Troop I this week on one count of animal cruelty.
Bethany Resident State Trooper David Merriam said Trowbridge is accused of neglecting the horse, which was removed from the residence July 26.
The horse, Cheyenne, was found boarded up in a stall and was “knee deep in a couple of feet of manure,” he said.
“The horse’s hooves were curled up and the horse had not been let out in a year. The horse couldn’t walk.”
“In all of my years, I’ve never seen anyone neglect an animal like this,” said Merriam, who has been a trooper for 15 years. “It’s outrageous to see a horse treated like that … especially in Bethany.”
Trowbridge could not be reached for comment. She was released after posting $500 bail and is due to appear in Superior Court in New Haven Sept. 21.
State police contacted animal control to remove Cheyenne from the residence after receiving a call from someone who visited the residence on a regular basis.
Merriam has said the caller was concerned for the horse as she had not been seen for some time.
When Animal Control Officers Karen Lombardi and Paul Niedmann arrived, they found the mare at the rear of the property, which was completely overgrown. They have said Cheyenne was housed in a dilapidated barn
Her stall, which was nailed shut, had to be dismantled to free her.
In the process of leaving the stall, her legs were wobbly and she fell a number of times trying to walk.
She has been recuperating at a local horse rescue farm. Kathleen Schurman, who is boarding the horse and overseeing her recovery, said Cheyenne continues to improve.
The horse has been under the care of a veterinarian and farrier who has been slowly working to restructure her hooves.
 |
| Isabella Feder, 12, of North Branford has donated her allowance to help "Cheyenne," the now famous horse who is recovering at Lockets Meadow Farm. |
“The horse is getting stronger every day,” Lombardi said Wednesday. “There has been a tremendous outpouring of generosity by people to help out with the medical expenses, and we greatly appreciated that. The horse’s condition certainly reflects the excellent care she is now getting.”
News of Cheyenne’s situation rallied the community. More than $5,000 has been raised to help pay medical bills. In some cases, youths donated their allowance.
Donations can be sent to Woodbridge Animal Control, 135 Bradley Road 06525.
(New Haven Register - September 12, 2012)
