The owner of the horses, however, claims the animals are her whole world.
The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took custody last week of six horses belonging to Tina Dace, 44, of Turnersville, at an undisclosed farm in the township.
“I’ve done a lot of things in my life and made a lot of stupid decisions,” she said in an interview Thursday. “One thing I’ve never done, never contemplated or even fathomed was hurting any kind of animal.”
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| 'Steel Drum' is one horse of six horses found emaciated on a farm in Winslow. |
NJSPCA Capt. Rick Yocum said that four charges against Dace were filed August. 22. Two of those charges were for inflicting unnecessary cruelty against an animal. The other two charges were for depriving animals of necessary sustenance.
“Water was sporadic and it was impossible for the horses to graze because they were on dirt,” Yocum said. “There was no hay there at all on final inspections.”
A picture of 7-year-old “Steel Drum” on the NJSPCA’s website shows an emaciated horse with skin virtually draped over its ribs. There was no date given when the picture was taken.
Authorities were notified in the spring of a possibly cruelty case at the farm.
“This is a long, drawn-out and ongoing investigation, monitoring the condition of the horses,” Yocum said.
Because of existing laws and protocols, because the horses are considered livestock, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture was involved.
That department had to agree that the conditions at the farm and the condition of the animals required charges.
Reports from a certified veterinarian on the conditions of the horses were not available Thursday, however Yocum noted that the horses are being cared for on-site by multiple agencies. Winslow animal control and the NJSPCA are providing hay, grain, feed and other equine necessities.
Dace turned herself in to police in Stratford and was taken to Camden County Jail. She was released early Monday morning and has a court date today in Winslow Municipal Court on the animal cruelty charges.
“It’s not happening,” Dace said of pleading guilty. “Never, ever.”
She flipped through an album of her animals on her camera phone, speaking lovingly of the horses, kittens and dogs she owns. She flipped to a picture taken after the NJSPCA’s initial investigation where Steel Drum appeared to be in better condition. Dace expressed concern that her animals were being cared for — that they were being given proper feed. She’s not allowed to have contact with the horses.
Yocum said donations are being accepted to help offset the costs associated with rehabilitating the horses. In the past four days more than $1,300 has been raised to provide vet care and food. As of Thursday afternoon, 13 people had donated to the effort through the NJSPCA’s website.
(Cherry Hill Courier Post - Sept 28, 2012)
