Orleans County woman convicted of neglecting horses

Perinton, N.Y. — A woman has been convicted of neglecting 10 horses on a property in Orleans County.

Elaine Bute, 69, of Carlton, pleaded to a one-year conditional discharge. She cannot own horses during that time and was ordered to pay restitution to Lollypop Farm, which cared for the horses after they were seized.

Lollypop Farm Humane Law Enforcement officers responded to the property July 26, 2022 after Orleans County Animal Control received reports of horses being kept in poor conditions.

BACKGROUND: Orleans County woman charged with animal cruelty after horses found neglected

Investigators found a thin Palomino with overgrown hooves standing on at least 2 feet of packed manure.

After obtaining a warrant to search the property, investigators returned and found a total of 10 horses living on the property. Multiple horses were found covered in their own feces in stalls packed down with manure and old straw. Several horses had overgrown hooves that made it difficult for them to bear weight. Investigators also found insufficient water in the areas used to house the horses.

“Cases like these can be difficult for our investigators and shelter care staff,” Reno DiDomenico, vice president of law enforcement for Lollypop Farm, said in a statement. “While there is little comfort in that this person will not be able to hurt another horse for a time, it is demonstrative of the need for stronger laws and harsher consequences in the face of animal abuse and neglect.”

Lollypop Farm said three of the horses were euthanized, including two as a result of their neglect. One horse is in foster care, while the rest have been adopted.

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