Vermont: David Buzzell, 59, and Helen Buzzell, 48, charged with animal cruelty starving their horses

VERMONT -- Two Vermont residents are facing multiple charges of animal cruelty after several horses in varying stages of emaciation were found on their farm recently, according to the Vermont State Police.

The six horses were found in a fenced in pasture at the farm off Kendall Hill Road in Pittsford. All of the horse were showing signs of malnutrition and exposure to the elements. The pasture had a lack of proper shelter for the horses, police said.

Police were notified by the Rutland Humane Society and Spring Hill Horse Rescue.

 

Two of the horses, both mares, were taken from the property for emergency treatment. They were housed in a nearby barn where they were given food, water and medical attention.

One of the horses had to be euthanized because it had a severe heart murmur that a veterinarian told police was likely the result of prolonged starvation and dehydration.

 

 

Some photos from Helen Buzzell's Facebook. Unknown
if these are any of the horses involved in the case.

David Buzzell, 59, and Helen Buzzell, 48, were each charged with two counts of aggravated animal cruelty and four counts of animal cruelty. Each is expected to appear in Rutland Court on Feb. 29.

State police said the two mares were each considered rescue animals. They were taken from a neglectful owner and acquired by the Buzzells in 2015.

The remaining four horses were allowed to remain at the Buzzell property but each is under the care of a local physician. They conditions were described as ranging from moderately thin to extremely emaciated, police said.

(MassLive.com - ‎Jan 20, 2016‎)