Massachusetts: Animal control officer testifies she found emaciated horse on Richardson's farm

MASSACHUSETTS -- After receiving a tip about a "skinny" horse at Dracut Selectman Cathy Richardson's farm last March, retired Animal Control Officer Virginia Courtenay testified Wednesday she visited the farm and found an emaciated horse.

The 29-year-old mare, Remy, had always been on the "thin side," Courtenay testified on Wednesday, "but never like this."

During Richardson's animal-cruelty trial in Lowell District Court, Courtney described seeing Remy's hip, spine and rib bones clearly showing under a heavy winter fur.

An investigation continued throughout March 2015 and involved the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention Against Cruelty to Animals. Officials accused Richardson of failing to provide adequate food, water, shelter, veterinary care and sanitary conditions for her four horses -- Remy, Blake, Bailey and Baboo -- and a mule named Lucy.

By March 23, Richardson voluntarily surrendered Remy, Blake and Bailey to the MSPCA, which has since adopted out the animals. Baboo went to a neighbor's home. Lucy remained at Richardson Farm.

The 55-year-old Dracut official is facing five counts of animal cruelty.

In his opening statement to the jury, prosecutor Matthew Bailey explained that Courtenay contacted the MSPCA due to the "alarming conditions" she saw at the farm. Courtenay testified she felt there was the possibility of animal cruelty because Remy was so thin.

Courtenay testified that after her initial visit to the farm, she bumped into Richardson at Town Hall. Richardson allegedly said she hadn't been able to get down to the barn to care for the horses due to the 10-foot snowdrifts caused by the brutal winter last year, Courtney testified.

Attorney Erich Bryant, who represents Richardson with attorney Debra Dewitt, agreed that the animals were thin but said Richardson did not neglect them. Instead, Bryant said the horse in the worst condition, Remy, was elderly and struggled to maintain weight despite Richardson's attempt to change food.

"She does everything she can to make sure the horses don't lose any more weight," Bryant told the jury.

Veterinarian Dr. Bryan Parrott

Prosecutors introduced the veterinarian's report which noted:

* "Remy," a 29-year-old standard-bred mare was emaciated (with a body score of '1' out of a scoring range of 1-9, with 4-5 being ideal), with an infected wound, sores on both hips, an injured left eye and untreated corneal ulcer. She has very long hooves that were long overdue to be trimmed.

* "Bailey," a 16-year-old thoroughbred gelding bordered on being emaciated. Lame on both front legs due to severe arthritis in the right knee and a severely diseased left front hoof.

Remy, or Flora as the mare was renamed by the MSPCA, as she 
appeared the day she was surrendered by Dracut Selectman 
Cathy Richardson. Courtesy MSPCA

* "Blake," a 10-year-old Appaloosa was listed as "thin." With only one viable testicle, the horse should have been castrated for health and behavioral reasons. This horse caused open wounds to Remy by repeatedly trying to mate with her because they were kept in the same enclosure.

* "Baboo," an Arabian mare of unknown age. She was described as "thin" with very long hooves.

* "Lucy," a mule-cross mare of unknown age. She couldn't be examined because she couldn't be handled and was deemed dangerous.

Richardson voluntarily surrendered her three horses to the MSPCA because "she didn't want any harm to come to them," Bryant told the jury as Richardson wiped away tears.

"There is no question the horses were thin," Bryant said, "but was it her (Richardson's) fault?"

(Lowell Sun - Feb 3, 2016)

Earlier:

• Ex-owner of Flora the horse, Cathy Richardson, denies animal cruelty charges