Pennsylvania: Daniel Troyer arrested, accused of starving and overworking his emaciated horse

PENNSYLVANIA -- A Reynoldsville man has been charged for allegedly driving a disabled horse, as well as other animal cruelty charges.

Daniel Troyer, of 374 Shin Bone Road, was charged by Jefferson County’s humane officer with non-traffic summary citations for using a disabled horse, animal cruelty, and animal neglect.

The citations, which were filed with District Judge David Inzana, stem from a concerned call which led to an animal welfare check on Oct. 7 and an emergency seizure of the standardbred horse due to starvation.

Court documents say Troyer was seen driving and overloading the horse while it was emaciated.

The animal has since been taken to Willow Run Animal Sanctuary in Brookville, where it will remain in custody until the case is resolved.

Its president and founder Margo Stefanic said the horse, now named “Merlin,” hasn’t stopped eating. She added that veterinarians have said the horse is likely to “bounce back.”

“It looks like he was seriously deprived of food. I have a very good feeling the owner that had him wasn’t a very responsible owner,” Stefanic added. “He’s a good boy and he seems in better spirits now.”

She added the sanctuary is accepting financial donations or donations of hay to help care for the horse until the charges are resolved.

Humane officer Debbie McAndrew is asking for Troyer to forfeit the horse and for a prohibition of animal ownership for a time to be determined by the court.

In each citation she also asked for up to 90 days in jail and a fine between $50-750.

(thecourierexpress.com - Oct 19, 2017)

Horse pulled from ditch by firefighters in Casco Twp.

MICHIGAN -- Firefighters responded to the 4700 block of Meldrum Road in Casco Township this morning to a report of a horse in a ravine.

Jennifer Wejroch, the horse owner, said her nearly 35-year-old Standardbred gelding named Barron got out of his pasture Thursday night.

Wejroch, who lives on Lindsay Road, searched all night for the horse, until she found him this morning in the ditch between two fields.

Richmond firefighters responded to the scene and worked to free the horse. First Lt. Rob Treend said the horse was exhausted from being in the ditch all night, which made the task more challenging.

The property owner, Bernie Teltow, used his excavator to help lift the horse from the ditch and walk it home.

Wejorch said she was relived the former race horse she's owned for two decades was rescued.

Treend said the responding crews handled the situation well.

"It's kind of a unique situation we don't train for," he said. "It worked out pretty well."

(Times Herald - Dec 18, 2015)

Harness trainer charged with animal cruelty

NEW YORK -- A Clifton Park man who trains Standardbred horses for harness racing was arrested Saturday after police say he dangerously overworked one of his horses and injured him, town police said.

Joseph DeCarlo, 46, caused one of his geldings to suffer severe mouth and internal injuries when DeCarlo "did maliciously and cruelly overdrive and abuse" the horse, police said.

The horse, who needed urgent care from a veterinarian, is recovering, police said.

DeCarlo was arrested after a weeklong investigation into his horse farm.

What triggered the investigation was unclear. Both DeCarlo and Stillwater police could not be reached for comment Sunday.

DeCarlo was charged with overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, a misdemeanor. He was arraigned in Stillwater Town Court and released.

(Times Union - Aug 25 2013)