The Sun of Lowell reports that Cathy Richardson was released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty to five counts of animal cruelty on Wednesday in Lowell District Court.
Prosecutors and animal welfare officials allege that the 55-year-old Richardson failed to provide food, water and shelter to several horses and a mule on her family's farm last winter.
Richardson voluntarily surrendered three horses last month.
One of the horses, Flora, has captured the attention of many people at the MSPCA's Nevins Farm in Methuen, including an 11-year-old Methuen boy, Aiden Mackey, who has started a fund to help pay for her care.
Richardson told investigators that snow drifts were so high this winter that she couldn't see the animals and could not get to their barn to care for them.
Richardson has stepped down as board chairwoman.
(Eagle Tribune - May 7, 2015)
No comments:
Post a Comment