A Rhode Island man is charged with animal cruelty for transporting a lame horse to the New Holland Sales Stables for auction.
On Wednesday, Phillip S. Price, 65, was charged with five summary citations, regarding his handling of Lily, a pony mare now receiving treatment in Kennett Square.
New Holland police Detective Lt. Jonathan Heisse filed the charges, which will be mailed to Price.
Lancaster County SPCA investigated the case. Police, after consultation with and approval by Assistant District Attorney Christine L. Wilson, filed charges.
The injured horse was very thin and blind when it was dropped off March 14 at the New Holland Sales Stables on West Fulton Street.
Price, of East Providence, R.I., is charged with 3 counts of animal cruelty, 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 $300, 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.
The three cruelty charges regard Price’s neglect of Lily, the transport of the horse, and her being offered for sale.
The investigation continues into how Lily received paint markings on her body.
Lily is being cared for at Penn Vet New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, where she continues to improve and gain weight.
Her progress is updated on the center’s Facebook page.
(Photo courtesy of New Bolton Center's Facebook page.)
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright