2 Charged With Animal Cruelty After Starving Horses Euthanized

Stamford police have arrested two people after two starving horses had to be euthanized and other horses were found in deplorable conditions, police said.

The Stamford police department started investigating after receiving a complaint on January 25 about the possible neglect of horses at Rock Spring Farms, located at 405-421 Old Long Ridge Road.

New England Equine reached out to police after caring the day before for Muppet, a 3-year-old Appaloosa mare that was dehydrated and malnourished, police said.

When officers arrived at Rock Spring Farms, they found the barn in a deplorable state. The barn walls had holes, wires were exposed, doors were unsecured and stalls were filled with a large amount of manure left for the animals to lie on, police said. There was little food for the horses and any water left out was frozen.

Five horses were there, including Lacey, a 4-year-old Appaloosa mare, that was on the ground and gasping for air, police said.

At that point, more police, including the animal control unit, were called in.

Police said Muppet and Lacey had open sores, matted and wet fur and showed signs of malnutrition.

A veterinarian was also called in and determined that Lacey and Muppet were extremely emaciated, dehydrated and would have to be euthanized, police said. Necropsies later showed that both horses suffered from emaciation and severe dehydration.

The owner of the barn, identified as Eileen Lenihan, 57, said she owned several of the horses and believed Jose Dejesus Rodriquez, 37, who owned others, was caring for the stable and all the horses on the property.

When Rodriquez arrived, he told investigators he believed the horses might have been poisoned and said he notified Lenihan the day before.

According to police, Lenihan nor Rodriguez had a reasonable explanation for why the stable was in such a deplorable state or why there was a lack of food and water for the horses.

Police noted that animal control had investigated past neglect complaints at the farm and the remaining horses have been placed with an equine rescue after being examined by veterinarians.

Lenihan and Rodriquez have been charged with cruelty to animals.

Rodriquez was arrested on Thursday and he posted a $10,000 bond. Lenihan turned herself in on Friday and was released after posting a $10,000 bond.

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