Copyright © United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. All rights reserved.
Guidestar us!
Find out more about our programs, plus financial information at:
Find out more about our programs, plus financial information at:
33 Horses seized in cruelty case in Virginia
July 16, 2010. Richmond , Virginia
The King and Queen County Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the United States Equine Rescue League, Virginia Animal Control Association Task Force, Hanover County Animal Control, King William Sheriff's Department, Virginia State Police, and Orange County Sheriff's Department, conducted a search warrant at the farm of Elizabeth Newsome Amos and Robert Amos, 5172 Powcan Road in Bruington, Virginia on June 29, 2010 and removed 33 horses from the property. Three equine veterinarians were also on the property to examine the horses. The 33 horses, in various stages of neglect and starvation, were transported by volunteers of the United States Equine Rescue League to undisclosed rehabilitation facilities and foster homes.
Concerns were reported to the King and Queen County Sheriff's office in regards to animal cruelty, unsanitary conditions, lack of adequate food and water sources, lack of medical care, lack of farrier care, lack of general care and improper disposal of remains.
On July 8, in a plea bargain agreed to minutes prior to the seizure hearing in King and Queen County General District Court, the owners agreed to surrender the 33 horses, pay $15,000 restitution in monthly payments to the USERL for the first 10 days of care, no future ownership of horses and to sell or surrender the 20 remaining horses with the new owners approved by the Sheriff's Department. King and Queen County officials and the USERL are pleased with this result.
The 33 horses, now in the permanent custody of the United States Equine Rescue League, have been placed on a carefully monitored rehabilitation program, including proper nutrition for the age and condition of the horse, veterinary and farrier care.
The matter is still under investigation by the Sheriff's office and charges are pending against the owners, awaiting veterinarian reports and lab results.
Newly appointed King and Queen Sheriff, John Charboneau, stated, "The Sheriff's Department takes the complaint of animal cruelty as seriously as a complaint of human cruelty." Susan White, Regional Director of the United States Equine Rescue League, stated "this was a huge undertaking for all involved due to the large number of horses on the property. It is expected it will take up to 12 months or more for all of the horses to regain their health."
A BIG Thank You to the King and Queen County Sheriff's Department, Virginia Animal Control Association Task Force, Hanover County Animal Control, King William Sheriff's Department, Virginia State Police, and Orange County Sheriff's Department for their work on this case.
And also a BIG Thank You to the Virginia - Richmond Region, Virginia - Tidewater Region and North Carolina - Northeast Region for a great teamwork effort to quarantine all 33 horses!
The King and Queen County Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the United States Equine Rescue League, Virginia Animal Control Association Task Force, Hanover County Animal Control, King William Sheriff's Department, Virginia State Police, and Orange County Sheriff's Department, conducted a search warrant at the farm of Elizabeth Newsome Amos and Robert Amos, 5172 Powcan Road in Bruington, Virginia on June 29, 2010 and removed 33 horses from the property. Three equine veterinarians were also on the property to examine the horses. The 33 horses, in various stages of neglect and starvation, were transported by volunteers of the United States Equine Rescue League to undisclosed rehabilitation facilities and foster homes.
Concerns were reported to the King and Queen County Sheriff's office in regards to animal cruelty, unsanitary conditions, lack of adequate food and water sources, lack of medical care, lack of farrier care, lack of general care and improper disposal of remains.
On July 8, in a plea bargain agreed to minutes prior to the seizure hearing in King and Queen County General District Court, the owners agreed to surrender the 33 horses, pay $15,000 restitution in monthly payments to the USERL for the first 10 days of care, no future ownership of horses and to sell or surrender the 20 remaining horses with the new owners approved by the Sheriff's Department. King and Queen County officials and the USERL are pleased with this result.
The 33 horses, now in the permanent custody of the United States Equine Rescue League, have been placed on a carefully monitored rehabilitation program, including proper nutrition for the age and condition of the horse, veterinary and farrier care.
The matter is still under investigation by the Sheriff's office and charges are pending against the owners, awaiting veterinarian reports and lab results.
Newly appointed King and Queen Sheriff, John Charboneau, stated, "The Sheriff's Department takes the complaint of animal cruelty as seriously as a complaint of human cruelty." Susan White, Regional Director of the United States Equine Rescue League, stated "this was a huge undertaking for all involved due to the large number of horses on the property. It is expected it will take up to 12 months or more for all of the horses to regain their health."
A BIG Thank You to the King and Queen County Sheriff's Department, Virginia Animal Control Association Task Force, Hanover County Animal Control, King William Sheriff's Department, Virginia State Police, and Orange County Sheriff's Department for their work on this case.
And also a BIG Thank You to the Virginia - Richmond Region, Virginia - Tidewater Region and North Carolina - Northeast Region for a great teamwork effort to quarantine all 33 horses!
Video newsclip from WRIC Channel 8 News in Richmond, VA.
[Home] [About USERL] [Regions] [NC Horses] [VA Horses] [IN Horses] [KY Horses] [IA Horses] [Foster] [Adoption] [Volunteer] [Equine Neglect] [Donate!] [USERL Store] [Contact]
[Home] [About USERL] [Regions] [NC Horses] [VA Horses] [IN Horses] [KY Horses] [IA Horses] [Foster] [Adoption] [Volunteer] [Equine Neglect] [Donate!] [USERL Store] [Contact]
King and Queen County Couple indicted on 20 counts of animal cruelty
March 13, 2011
Richmond, VA
A grand jury in King and Queen County, Virginia indicted Robert H. Amos and Elizabeth B. Newsome-Amos on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 on 20 counts each of animal cruelty. The indictments were handed up after evidence of animal cruelty was brought before the grand jury regarding the seizure of 33 horses from the couples’ property on June 29, 2010. The King and Queen County Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the United States Equine Rescue League, Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force, Hanover County Animal Control, King William Sheriff's Department, Virginia State Police and Orange County Sheriff's Department seized the horses after serving a search warrant at the couple’s property at 5172 Powcan Road, Bruington, Virginia on June 29, 2010. The horses were allegedly found in varying stages of neglect and starvation, infested with lice and without adequate food, clean water, veterinary or farrier care and some living in filthy enclosures with several inches of accumulated feces and urine.
On July 8, 2010 the horses were surrendered to the permanent custody of the United States Equine Rescue League, Inc.
The trial date is anticipated to be set for July 13, 2011 at the King and Queen Court House.
Susan White
Director - Richmond Region
Lead State Cruelty Investigator - Virginia
United States Equine Rescue League, Inc.
804 402 2490
March 13, 2011
Richmond, VA
A grand jury in King and Queen County, Virginia indicted Robert H. Amos and Elizabeth B. Newsome-Amos on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 on 20 counts each of animal cruelty. The indictments were handed up after evidence of animal cruelty was brought before the grand jury regarding the seizure of 33 horses from the couples’ property on June 29, 2010. The King and Queen County Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the United States Equine Rescue League, Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force, Hanover County Animal Control, King William Sheriff's Department, Virginia State Police and Orange County Sheriff's Department seized the horses after serving a search warrant at the couple’s property at 5172 Powcan Road, Bruington, Virginia on June 29, 2010. The horses were allegedly found in varying stages of neglect and starvation, infested with lice and without adequate food, clean water, veterinary or farrier care and some living in filthy enclosures with several inches of accumulated feces and urine.
On July 8, 2010 the horses were surrendered to the permanent custody of the United States Equine Rescue League, Inc.
The trial date is anticipated to be set for July 13, 2011 at the King and Queen Court House.
Susan White
Director - Richmond Region
Lead State Cruelty Investigator - Virginia
United States Equine Rescue League, Inc.
804 402 2490
King and Queen County Couple Sentenced to Jail for Animal Cruelty
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2011. Richmond, Virginia.
Robert H. Amos and Elizabeth B. Newsome-Amos will spend six months in jail after pleading guilty in King and Queen Circuit Court yesterday on 10 counts each of animal cruelty stemming from the seizure of 33 horses from the couple’s property last year.
The King and Queen County Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the United States Equine Rescue League, Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force, Hanover County Animal Control, King William Sheriff's Department, Virginia State Police and Orange County Sheriff's Department seized the horses after conducting a search warrant at the couple’s property at 5172 Powcan Road, Bruington, Virginia on June 29, 2010. The horses were found in varying stages of neglect and starvation, with lack of adequate food and clean water sources, lack of veterinary and farrier care and some living in filthy enclosures with several inches of accumulated feces and urine. Several skeletons of dead horses were also found scattered on the property.
All 33 horses were surrendered to the permanent custody of the United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. after a seizure hearing on July 8, 2010.
The couple was sentenced to 1 year of jail time on each of the 10 counts with all but 6 months suspended and placed on probation for 5 years. Any infraction of federal, state or county laws within the 5 year period by the couple could result in reinstatement of the remaining 10 year sentence.
According to Susan White, Director of the Richmond Region of the USERL, most of the horses recovered from their neglect; however, one was humanely euthanized after the seizure and one will most likely suffer permanent damage due to the severe neglect of her hooves.
The USERL would like to thank the King and Queen Sheriff's Department and the Commonwealth Attorney, Charles Adkins, for the professional manner in which this case was handled.
Susan White, Director
United States Equine Rescue League, Inc.
804 402 2490
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2011. Richmond, Virginia.
Robert H. Amos and Elizabeth B. Newsome-Amos will spend six months in jail after pleading guilty in King and Queen Circuit Court yesterday on 10 counts each of animal cruelty stemming from the seizure of 33 horses from the couple’s property last year.
The King and Queen County Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the United States Equine Rescue League, Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force, Hanover County Animal Control, King William Sheriff's Department, Virginia State Police and Orange County Sheriff's Department seized the horses after conducting a search warrant at the couple’s property at 5172 Powcan Road, Bruington, Virginia on June 29, 2010. The horses were found in varying stages of neglect and starvation, with lack of adequate food and clean water sources, lack of veterinary and farrier care and some living in filthy enclosures with several inches of accumulated feces and urine. Several skeletons of dead horses were also found scattered on the property.
All 33 horses were surrendered to the permanent custody of the United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. after a seizure hearing on July 8, 2010.
The couple was sentenced to 1 year of jail time on each of the 10 counts with all but 6 months suspended and placed on probation for 5 years. Any infraction of federal, state or county laws within the 5 year period by the couple could result in reinstatement of the remaining 10 year sentence.
According to Susan White, Director of the Richmond Region of the USERL, most of the horses recovered from their neglect; however, one was humanely euthanized after the seizure and one will most likely suffer permanent damage due to the severe neglect of her hooves.
The USERL would like to thank the King and Queen Sheriff's Department and the Commonwealth Attorney, Charles Adkins, for the professional manner in which this case was handled.
Susan White, Director
United States Equine Rescue League, Inc.
804 402 2490