Farm owner charged with 10 felony counts of cruelty to animals

GOSHEN — An Orange County grand jury handed up an indictment charging Jeanne Ryan, 51, of Goshen with ten felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals in connection with the death of nine horses, and the mistreatment of a tenth horse, which survived.
District Attorney David Hoovler made the announcement on Monday, Oct. 30.
The indictment also charges Ryan with ten misdemeanor counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals.
On July 29, investigators from the Hudson Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with the assistance of the Town of Goshen Police Department, executed a search warrant at the barn located at Ryan’s residence in the Town of Goshen. Inside of the barn they discovered the severely decomposed remains of five horses, as well as a severely emaciated horse. Ryan was issued an appearance ticket made returnable in the Town of Goshen Court on Sept. 13 in connection with misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.
When Ryan appeared in town court, the district attorney’s office announced that it would be presenting the case to a grand jury to consider additional charges. Following its investigation, the grand jury issued a 20-count indictment that alleges that between March 1, 2016, and July 29, 2017, Ryan subjected ten horses to “aggravated cruelty.” “Aggravated cruelty” is defined under the law as conduct that either caused the horses extreme physical pain or was carried out in an especially depraved or sadistic manner. The case against Ryan will now be transferred to Orange County Court.
Hoovler thanked the Hudson Valley SPCA and the Town of Goshen Police Department for their work on the case and their investigation. The investigation into the treatment of the horses at Ryan’s farm continues.
“As a society we cannot tolerate the mistreatment of horses, and other companion animals, who cannot protect themselves,” said Hoovler. “My office will continue to work with the SPCA and our other partners in law enforcement to protect animals from neglect and abuse. When appropriate, we will ask the grand jury to consider felony charges.”