New Holland police issued five citations against Phillip S. Price, 65, of East Providence, Rhode Island.
Price is charged with animal cruelty for transporting the horse to the New Holland Sales Stables for auction, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's office.
Two other cruelty charges stem from neglect of the animal and her being offered for sale in the condition in which she was found — extremely thin and in pain.
The pony was found abandoned in a back stall at the New Holland Sales Stable March 15, said Sue Martin, director of the Lancaster County SPCA. Named Lily for a flower that blooms at Easter, the large, nearly white pony was transferred to New Bolton Center in Kennett Square for treatment of pain and problems with her eyes.
She continues to convalesce at that facility.
New Holland police Detective Lt. Jonathan Heisse filed the charges, which will be mailed to Price, after consultation with and approval by Assistant District Attorney Christine L. Wilson.
The investigation is continuing into how Lily received paint markings on her body.
It is not the first time Price has been charged with cruelty.
On July 22 of last year, Price pleaded no contest to eight counts of animal cruelty in Rhode Island where he lives. The charges stemmed from the "conditions of filth" that the eight horses were kept in, according to Rhode Island SPCA enforcement officer, Joe Warzycha.
State authorities charged Price with a single count of dealing animals without a license, according to Warzycha. Price received 11 months of probation and had to pay a fine on the state charge.
In the Lancaster County case, Price is also charged with a single count of dealing and handling animals without a license, and a single count of importing animals without an interstate health certificate.
The horse was transported from a location in New Jersey to the auction site.
Each summary citation carries a maximum fine of $750, plus additional court costs, which will be ordered by District Judge Rodney Hartman, if Price is proven guilty. At that point, restitution for the horse’s care will also be ordered.
Lily continues to improve and gain weight at the New Bolton Center. Veterinarians put her on pain medication for the hits from the paintballs and removed one of her eyes that had become blind and painful.
The reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone involved in the incident reached $10,000 after the Humane Society of the United States contributed $5,000 and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals chipped in $4,000 to the original $1,000 reward contributed anonymously, according to Omega Horse Rescue, which is managing donations for the horse's care.
(Lancaster Online - March 30, 2016)
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