Aerial view of some of the horses that were alleged to have been neglected. (Photo: WBOC Chopper 16)CENTREVILLE, Md.- The 133 horses taken from Canterbury Farm on Friday and Saturday are being nursed back to health. Officials say the horses were being neglected and in bad shape.
Animal Services in Queen Anne's County says the Polish Arabian horses were malnourished, severely underweight, needed dental work, were infested with lice and had no protection from the elements. As a result, six other horses had to be euthanized.
Officials say the owner of the property, Marsha Parkinson, fell on hard times. But other horse owners in the area say they were appalled to hear what happened.
"It was a tragedy what happened and too many people saw it and no one stepped up and they should have," said Michelle Louis, who owns Halo's Haven horse rescue in St. Michaels.
Earlier this year Louis rescued a pony that was also being neglected on a farm in Talbot County. That pony is now on the road to recovery. Louis has offered to take between 15 and 20 horses seized from the farm in Centreville and give them a home at Halo's Haven.
Animal Services officials said they first learned of the neglect last year and intervened in the case last month. But some people tell WBOC that the neglect on Canterbury Farm has been going on for a couple years and numerous complaints were ignored.
"It makes you really sick to hear about the number of horses and the fact that its gone on for so long," said Stefanie Golebieski, who owns a horse farm in Preston.
The horse neglect case in Queen Anne's county is still under investigation. No charges have been filed yet. WBOC contacted Marsha Parkinson on Tuesday for comment on the matter. She said that on the advice of her lawyer she is not commenting at this time.
