The Bethlehem Police Department has received a grant to help care for the horses seized in an animal neglect case last November.
The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, awarded $4,000 to the police department after they applied for the funds earlier this year. The town accepted the money at the last town board meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
“These types of investigations can be very expensive for us,” said police Chief Louis Corsi. “While the case is going through the courts, we have to temporarily house the animals through volunteers or adopt them out.”
Corsi said the department pays a certain rate per day toward the care of the animals. The grant money will be used to restore funds that have already been paid toward their care.
Bethlehem police executed a search warrant at 80 Waldenmaier Road last November as a result of a multi-week investigation into complaints of animal cruelty and neglect of horses.
Police said upon arrival, 33 horses were found on the property. After an investigation, some horses were allegedly found to be in various stages of neglect and malnourishment. Others were allegedly found to be without water. All of the horses were examined by licensed veterinarians, and as a result of the examinations eight horses were seized to undergo further evaluation, treatment and care.
Karen A. Burrows, 49, was arrested on Nov. 18, following the execution of the search warrant at her farm. She was charged with eight counts of failure to provide sustenance, a Class A misdemeanor under the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law. Arrested on the same charges was William J. Trianni, 25, Burrows’ employee.
Court documents indicated Burrows told police she was having trouble taking care of physical aspects of the farm due to an injury. In March 2013, she hired Trianni, who had experience with horses, to help care for the animals.
“When I started, the horses were in worse physical condition than now,” Trianni told police, according to the court documents. “Over the last six months, I have made efforts to improve the horses’ care.”
Trianni told police he had several veterinarians out to visit the property and provided a notebook with some medical records. He was then able to get a hold of a veterinarian who provided some receipts. Trianni also said he added a weight supplement to the horse’s feed.
“I had been pushing Karen to get rid of as many of her horses and ponies as possible because the fewer we have on the property, the better care, attention and training we can provide,” Trianni told police.
The police report indicated many of the horse’s water buckets were dry, and there was limited hay on the property. Some horses allegedly had open wounds and scars, while others had lice, missing teeth and internal parasites.
Court documents indicate animal control was notified of the situation after two people visited the property to look at a horse Trianni was trying to sell.
Detective Sgt. Adam Hornick previously said police had received complaints about the farm in the past, but no arrests were made. For now the farm, which allows people to pay to go horseback riding, is still allowed to operate because no court order has been issued.
Corsi said any animals seized as part of an investigation ultimately become the obligation of the town until the case is resolved.
“They’re in our care, so they’re our responsibility,” said Corsi.
The case against Burrows and Trianni is still pending. The horses continue to be cared for by volunteers.
