Taffy Lafleur and John Vandenbosch accused of mistreating horses

NEW YORK -- Rensselaer County authorities say two people mistreated horses in Berlin.

 

Taffy Lafleur, 52, and John Vandenbosch, 56, are now facing charges. Authorities received a tip earlier this month about the welfare of two horses on Main Street in Berlin.

After investigating and showing photographs of the animals to a veterinarian, the pair was arrested and the animals were removed.

 

  

Officials say both horses were "extremely emaciated; no fatty tissue on the animal's ribs, spine, withers, hooks and pins."

According to the video clip, the horses had been purchased off of Craigslist.

They have been taken to Little Brook Farm, one of the largest rescue establishments in the northeast.

 

According to experts, the animals will need to be fed small amounts up to 16 times a day to safely increase their weight without causing more health problems.

Lafleur and Vandenbosh surrendered on Monday and were each charged with 2 counts of overdriving; torturing and injuring animals; and failure to provide proper sustenance.

(CBS6 Albany - May 14, 2015)