New York: Arrest warrant issued for Sodus woman, Cindy Denninger, 53, in abused horses case

NEW YORK -- A Sodus woman is being charged with 15 counts of animal cruelty after investigators seized 16 horses, cows and at least 17 birds from her property in Wayne County.

WHAM in Rochester reports that an arrest warrant has been issued for Cindy Denninger, 53, who owned the animals.

Some of the animals had injuries such as serious puncture wounds and one horse couldn't even walk due to a potential broken leg. Starving animals were even eating wood off the sides of the barns to stay alive. Two dead horses were found on the property.

Retired race horses from the Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack in Farmington were among the animals seized.

Authorities said Denninger works at the track or worked there, but is out on workers’ compensation. The Wayne County District Attorney says it appears that Denninger has fled the state and is now in West Virginia.

It is unclear if all of the horses will survive.

Neighbors say they complained many, many times. One of Denninger’s neighbors wrote (WHAM): “I am her neighbor and YES everyone complained every year for years to do something for these poor animals… They came and did NOTHING!!!”

 

And a former neighbor: “I used to live right around the corner 10 years ago. The cops were called quite often way back then about the condition of the animals she had. It was horrible then.”

(CNY Central - April 22, 2014)

Update (April 27, 2014)
Cindy Denninger, 53, of North Centenary Road, was charged by Wayne County Sheriff’s Office investigators with 15 counts of animal cruelty (overdriving, torturing and injuring animals). She was arraigned in Arcadia Town Court and taken to the county jail on $2,000 bail or $4,000 bond.