Kelly Pfeifer of Bayville was charged with the animal cruelty for abusing her two horses in Glen Cove City Court.
Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals worked with the Nassau County District Attorney’s office to compile the necessary information and documentation that was presented to the court at the arraignment were the defendant had to answer for violating New York State Agricultural Market Law 353.
According to Stan Feinman, a volunteer from the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NCSPCA), “The Nassau County SPCA received complaint that horses were not being treated properly at 93 Crescent Beach Rd in Glen Cove. An investigator found that a horse and pony were being kept in conditions that were unsatisfactory in regards to food, water and housing.” He continued, “A notice to reply was left with the owner. The next day there was a call from the owner stating that the conditions would be corrected immediately.” However when an investigator followed up a few days later and found that the conditions were still unacceptable.
Arrangements were made to have Dr. Pam Corey, an equine veterinarian from Muttontown, accompany NCSPCA officers to the location. Using the Henneke Body Condition Scoring Chart, the vet determined that the pony had a body scale rating of one and a half and the horse rated a body scale of two and a half. The doctor confirmed the condition of the animals, which were then seized immediately.
The Chart rates the horses on a scale of 1 to 9. A score of 1 is considered poor or emaciated with no body fat. A 9 is extremely fat or obese. Horse veterinarians consider a body score of between 4 and 7 as acceptable. A 5 is considered ideal.
Feinman stated, “The pony’s teeth were so bad that it could not eat hay and was very underweight.”
The conditions the horses were being kept in were unacceptable. They were housed in a two-car garage that was converted into a stable.
Feinman went on to explain, “The animals were seized and placed in a stable where they have been receiving medical care. The pony has had to have its teeth worked on and some teeth could not be saved. Since being seized the pony has gained 40 pounds. The animals have been treated for worms, for other conditions as well as given the required vaccinations also being treated for parasites and other problems.”
Further investigation found that the horses were not being fed or given water adequately and receiving the proper maintenance and were not kept in the proper environment for horses.
Pfeifer was released on $5000 bail. Animal cruelty is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $1000 and/or up to one year in jail.
Since Jan.1 of 2008 the NCSPCA has responded to over 1000 calls regarding animal abuse, neglect and abandonment. Over 350 cases have resulted in investigations some resulting in prosecution. Feinman admitted that the number for incidents have gone up but credits the notion that, “More people are aware of us and are aware that the calls are followed up, investigated and when necessary prosecuted. The public is more aware of animal abuse and are letting us know.”
NCSPCA, which covers the jurisdiction of the entire county of Nassau, is made up of all volunteers and is funded solely by donations.
Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals worked with the Nassau County District Attorney’s office to compile the necessary information and documentation that was presented to the court at the arraignment were the defendant had to answer for violating New York State Agricultural Market Law 353.
According to Stan Feinman, a volunteer from the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NCSPCA), “The Nassau County SPCA received complaint that horses were not being treated properly at 93 Crescent Beach Rd in Glen Cove. An investigator found that a horse and pony were being kept in conditions that were unsatisfactory in regards to food, water and housing.” He continued, “A notice to reply was left with the owner. The next day there was a call from the owner stating that the conditions would be corrected immediately.” However when an investigator followed up a few days later and found that the conditions were still unacceptable.
Arrangements were made to have Dr. Pam Corey, an equine veterinarian from Muttontown, accompany NCSPCA officers to the location. Using the Henneke Body Condition Scoring Chart, the vet determined that the pony had a body scale rating of one and a half and the horse rated a body scale of two and a half. The doctor confirmed the condition of the animals, which were then seized immediately.
The Chart rates the horses on a scale of 1 to 9. A score of 1 is considered poor or emaciated with no body fat. A 9 is extremely fat or obese. Horse veterinarians consider a body score of between 4 and 7 as acceptable. A 5 is considered ideal.
Feinman stated, “The pony’s teeth were so bad that it could not eat hay and was very underweight.”
The conditions the horses were being kept in were unacceptable. They were housed in a two-car garage that was converted into a stable.
Feinman went on to explain, “The animals were seized and placed in a stable where they have been receiving medical care. The pony has had to have its teeth worked on and some teeth could not be saved. Since being seized the pony has gained 40 pounds. The animals have been treated for worms, for other conditions as well as given the required vaccinations also being treated for parasites and other problems.”
Further investigation found that the horses were not being fed or given water adequately and receiving the proper maintenance and were not kept in the proper environment for horses.
Pfeifer was released on $5000 bail. Animal cruelty is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $1000 and/or up to one year in jail.
Since Jan.1 of 2008 the NCSPCA has responded to over 1000 calls regarding animal abuse, neglect and abandonment. Over 350 cases have resulted in investigations some resulting in prosecution. Feinman admitted that the number for incidents have gone up but credits the notion that, “More people are aware of us and are aware that the calls are followed up, investigated and when necessary prosecuted. The public is more aware of animal abuse and are letting us know.”
NCSPCA, which covers the jurisdiction of the entire county of Nassau, is made up of all volunteers and is funded solely by donations.
-Faith Rackoff reprinted from 5/16 issue of Oyster Bay Guardian
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