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Charges of Horse Cruelty in Poolesville
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According to The Washington Post, Montgomery County police have charged a local horse owner with nine counts of animal neglect and two counts of cruelty to animals, facing a potential $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail per each count. Marcia Brody, of Edward Ferry Road in Poolesville, allegedly abused 11 horses by failing to provide adequate food, water, and medical care in accordance with Maryland State law.
On November 17, a neighbor placed a call to Animal Control after noting that a foal had been lying in a field, unable to stand, for two days. When Animal Control officers arrived on the scene, they immediately summoned veterinary assistance. Upon examination, the veterinarian determined that the foal was “suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition.” He also had bruises about his head and face as a result of repeatedly falling when trying to rise. According the officers, the foal “had sores across its belly and back, and could not stand or roll over on its side.” Though the veterinarian administered fluids intravenously and moved him to the office for better care, the young horse died the following day.
The Animal Control officers had also noticed other horses that appeared to be similarly suffering from dehydration and malnutrition, and they returned to the farm on November 24 with a search warrant. Of the 17 remaining horses on the farm, officers removed 10 of those horses from the site. Six of them went to the Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Howard County, and the remaining four were paired off and sent to private farms of local horse enthusiasts. All are recovering well – receiving feed and treatment – though it will take months for one of them to return to a healthy condition.
A well-respected member of the Potomac Hunt Club, Brody apparently has had years of experience caring for horses. These charges sent waves of shock and indignation throughout the local horse community. Despite being considered “an experienced horsewoman,” others had growing concerns that things were not going well on the farm. According to the report, one boarder from Canada, who had left three Belgian thoroughbreds with Brody for training in June, had begun to question his decision by August. When calls made to Brody to check on the horses went unreturned, he asked a neighbor to check on them. He was told that two were underfed and sickly, and one couldn’t be found.
According to the local Gazette, Brody is scheduled to appear in District Court January 8, in Rockville, Maryland. Neither the Post nor the Gazette has been able to reach Brody for comment – all calls have not been returned. The future of these horses also remains uncertain. Captain Wayne Fryer, director of the Animal Services Division of the Montgomery County Police, points out that Brody, like others who have faced similar charges, could attempt to retain custody through appeals.
MDhorse.com will provide updates as the situation warrants.
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