LANCASTER COUNTY, PA- A Rhode Island man was convicted Friday of all counts regarding transportation of a lame horse to the New Holland Sales Stables for auction.
Following a trial in New Holland, 65-year-old Philip Price Jr. was convicted of 5 summary counts regarding his handling of Lily, a pony mare who received extensive treatment.
Hartman was ordered to pay $3,056 in fines and $10,178 in restitution for Lily’s recovery-care costs.
Price is prohibited from doing future business at New Holland Sales Stables, the judge ordered.
Assistant District Attorney Christine L. Wilson presented witnesses and evidence that Lily was very thin and blind when dropped off March 14 at the New Holland Sales Stables on West Fulton Street.
Wilson called to testify doctors who cared for Lily, Susan Martin of Lancaster County SPCA, and a manager from the auction. Also, Wilson played a surveillance video from the auction that shows Price dropping off the horse.
“The Commonwealth is satisfied that justice was served and the defendant was held accountable for his inhumane conduct regarding the horse,” Wilson said afterward.
Lancaster County SPCA investigated the case. New Holland police Detective Lt. Jonathan Heisse filed the charges and testified Friday.
Price, of East Providence, R.I., was convicted of 3 counts of animal cruelty, a single count of dealing and handling animals without a license, and a single count of importing animals without an interstate health certificate.
The horse was transported from a location in New Jersey to the auction site.
The three cruelty charges regard Price’s neglect of Lily, the transport of the horse, and her being offered for sale.
Lily also had paint markings all over her body. It hasn’t been determined how those markings were made.
Lily was cared for at Penn Vet New Bolton Center in Kennett Square. Her condition has improved and she has gained weight.
Jon Stewart’s wife, Tracey McShane, a former veterinary technician and animal advocate, came to visit Lily in April according to the Lancaster County SPCA.
The couple then decided to adopt Lily and bring her to their farm sanctuary for abused animals in New Jersey.
