If Stacy Fiebelkorn, 44, of Elgin cannot come up with the security bond within five business days, she will forfeit ownership of the animals now in the possession of the Kane County Animal Control department.
Judge Elizabeth Flood issued her ruling after a hearing Wednesday in which an Animal Control official said it cost his department almost $30,000 in expenses to provide medical care, boarding, feed, staff time and veterinary care for the animals. That total was expected to hit about $43,000 after one month.
Animal Control seized more than 90 animals – including poultry, rabbits, goats, horse, mini-horses – in early March from a farm near Hampshire where Fiebelkorn was leasing space.
Authorities said they found some dead animals and others that were malnourished and did not have access to water. Fiebelkorn, who owned a traveling petting zoo, has been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty.
One 1-year-old’s hooves were so overgrown, Wessel said she believes they were never trimmed. The rear ones curled upward, forcing the horse to walk on the back of his hoofs, which led to leg damage. Wessel said it is unlikely he will ever be able to work, or bear a rider.
Another horse, a teenage miniature called Old Man, is about 150 pounds underweight, according to Wessel. He should weigh about 500 pounds.
Several horses had bedsores, she said, from lying on bony hips. One miniature horse lost the tip of an ear to frostbite.
Last week, she voluntarily relinquished ownership of the poultry and small animals, but contested an attempt by prosecutors who want her to give up about 30 remaining animals, mostly horses, ponies and mini-horses.
The judge ruled that Fiebelkorn only had to forfeit an alpaca and a llama, but could – at least for now -- retain ownership of the other animals.
(Chicago Tribune - Mar 28, 2014)
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