Ruth Ann Chasse, 54, of Spencer, was booked into the Monroe County Jail at 7:39 p.m. by corrections officers on a warrant on one felony charge of improper disposal of a dead animal and two misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty. Chasse was released from the jail less than an hour later after posting a $5,000 surety, $500 cash bond.
On July 3, two women contacted Monroe County animal control officers with concerns about a white horse that appeared injured on Chasse's property on the 3100 block of North Thomas Road.
The women reported a dead horse was also on the property.
"Both of these witnesses have provided credible information in the past with regards to poor care and treatment of the animals," a probable-cause affidavit on the case states.
Animal control officer Amber Zike found two bones in the southeastern portion of the field. In Zike's assessment, the animal had died recently and was most likely a foal born this year, the report states.
Officials also checked on the white horse, which walked with a limp at his right rear leg.
The horse had overgrown hooves that could cause discomfort, but did not have life-threatening injuries or apparent broken bones.
Officials found a young foal that did not appear to be healthy, had a hard time keeping up with her mother and appeared to be underweight.
"Poor health at a young age may require milk substitute or special feed to ensure continued life," according to the report.
In early March, Chasse was arrested on two felony counts of failure to properly dispose of a dead animal, two horses, and five misdemeanor charges of cruelty to an animal due to the neglect of three mares and two foals.
At that time, investigators contacted a state veterinarian to assess 34 horses on the 3100 block of North Thomas Road property.
(Herald Times - July 26, 2013)
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