More Details About the Animals Seized in Vermont

According to the attorney for the couple whose animals were seized last week, any neglect of the animals was "not intentional."

Cristina Kumka of the Rutland Herald reported yesterday that criminal defense attorney Peter Langrock, who has been retained by the Hegarty family, said, "This isn't a case where you have a woman who doesn't care about her animals." The Hegartys operate La Chandolaine Farms in Brandon, VT.

Thirty-two "house pets" belonging to the Hegartys are currently in the care of the Rutland County Humane Society in Pittsford, while 60 horses, ponies, and donkeys are being housed and fed by the Spring Hill Horse Rescue in Clarendon.

More Than 110 Neglected Animals Seized from VT Farms

According to reports in the Rutland Herald, WCAX, and on Pet-Abuse.com, more than 110 neglected, malnourished, and physically compromised animals were seized from farms in Hubbardton and Brandon VT on Friday, December 5th, after what the Rutland County Sheriff's Department termed as "the largest animal cruelty investigation in years."

The animals included dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, chickens, a dove, horses, ponies, donkeys, sheep, and goats.

The small animals have been placed in the care of the Rutland County Humane Society in Pittsford, VT, which had announced last month that it could no longer accept stray or owned cats or kittens because its facilities were already strained beyond capacity.

The approximately 50 equines that were removed from the farms are currently being cared for by the Spring Hill Horse Rescue in Clarendon, which was also housing more horses than its facility could properly handle before the emergency seizure last Friday.

Both rescues are in immediate need of contributions and supplies, and each will be seeking foster homes for the animals in its care as soon as they can safely and legally be moved to temporary placements.