November 2021 Issue

Page 6 November 2021 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN By Amy Worden A former Lancaster Coun- ty horse rescue operator has been sentenced to seven years’ probation after pleading guilty to 25 counts of animal cruelty involving the death of a foal and the suffering of scores of other animals. Joanna Fleming, 45, who now lives in Fleetwood (Berks County), PA pleaded guilty in Oc- tober to the charges including five felony charges for aggravated cruelty causing significant bodily injury or death, according to the Pennsylvania SPCA. In October 2020 humane officers removed a two-month- old foal, Baby, suffering from an infection from an untreated wound. Baby was taken to the New Bolton Center where veteri- narians determined they could not save her and she was humanely euthanized Fleming also pleaded guilty to 10 misdemeanor charges for lack of veterinary care and 10 summary charges for lack of vet- erinary care, lack of shelter and cruelty to animals. “We are pleased that the judge saw the seriousness of the offenses,” said Nicole Wilson, director of Humane Law Enforce- ment at the PSPCA. Fleming is spending the first six months of her seven-year probation on house arrest. She was ordered to forfeit all ani- mals related to the cases and is prohibited from owning animals for seven years. Fleming also was ordered to pay full restitution to the PSPCA, and is subject to ran- dom inspections by humane law enforcement, the PSPCA said. The charges resulted from a year-long investigation by PSP- CA humane officers of proper- ties in Peach Bottom where she housed close to 100 animals in 2020. Fleming operated Red Rock Horse Rescue Rehab and Blue Starr Horse Rescue Barn, which promoted itself on Facebook for rescuing horses from auction kill pens and giving them a “second chance at life.” But conditions on Flem- ing’s property as reported by the PSPCA were grim, with too many horses crowded into small outdoor paddocks containing dangerous debris. In July 2020, Fleming surrendered three ema- ciated horses and six additional horses, also underweight, with infected wounds and overgrown hooves were removed. In November, humane officers seized nine Doberman Pinschers, including seven two- week-old puppies. Additionally, 44 chickens, 23 cats, two pigs, two ducks, three dogs and two more horses were removed. Rescuer Charged with Cruelty Gets Seven Years’ Probation (Continued on page 26)