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Orange animal-cruelty case heads to court
(by Sali McSherry - August 04, 2010)
Orange animal-cruelty case heads to court
By SALI McSHERRY
Oral hearings are scheduled for Aug. 13 in Bedford Municipal Court in an animal-cruelty case involing 10 horses in Orange Village. But one of the defendants was arrested early Tuesday on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear for a previous court date.
Sandra Plato, 48, of Parma, was charged with eight counts of cruelty to animals following a May 8 incident in which a renter living on the Brainard Road farm property told Orange police she saw a horse repeatedly fall in the mud and that it appeared the 10 horses had not been fed in a long time.
Orange police arrested Ms. Plato at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Thistledown Race Track in North Randall. She posted a $10,000 bond Tuesday and released from the Bedford Heights Jail.
Ms. Plato has pleaded not guilty to the charges. She is represented by attorney Caryn Groedel. Her case has been assigned to Judge Harry J. Jacob III.
James Eafford, 68, of Parma, who identified himself to police as a caretaker, also was charged with second-degree misdemeanor animal cruelty, police said. He pleaded not guilty to two charges, one for each horse under his care, according to court records. His attorney is Michael Anthony Sanson.
Each suspect could face up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 per charge, one for each horse either owned and/or was responsible for caring for, Orange police Lt. Patrick O'Callahan said.
Several horses' ribs were showing, there were no signs of food or water for the animals inside or outside the barn, and there were piles of horse manure ranging from a least 1 foot deep to 3 feet, according to the police report. The conditions were deplorable, police said.
Orange police said they have statements from witnesses and a report from veterinarian Ray Hephner, who donated his medical expertise and time, along with a rehabilitation plan.
Volunteers who helped with taking care of the horses are circulating a petition, because they said they are concerned about the charges being dropped.
"It is important to us that Eafford and Plato not only make restitution for their crimes against animals, but that they are discouraged or prevented from doing so again," according to the petition that was sent to Orange Village Prosecutor Blair Melling, village officials, Bedford Court Magistrate Joseph Pfundstein and Judge Jacob, among others.
David Elsworth, of Thistledown Race Track in North Randall, and his crew were instrumental in the care of the horses following the incident, Orange Police Chief Christopher Kostura has said.
Happy Trails Animal Sanctuary, of Ravenna, has worked to help place the horses with proper care.
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