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April 11, 2008
Owner refuses to have ailing horse euthanized, faces cruelty charges
Full Story at the Boston Herald
An equine right-to-die struggle over an elderly, arthritic horse is being fought on the Internet and in court, where the old bay mare’s owner is facing cruelty charges.
The case for euthanasia for Quincy, a 29-year-old bay mare who is plagued with sores and can barely stand, is being championed by animal-welfare advocates, who have given the horse her own MySpace [website] page detailing her plight.
“She’s taken a group of divergent people and managed to galvanize them,” said Jane Belleville, a Mendon horse trainer who boarded Quincy nine years ago. “No animal should suffer like this animal is suffering.”
But Quincy’s owner, Elliot S. Saffran, 57, of Milford, refuses to have the old horse put down. Saffran is due in Uxbridge District Court May 6 to answer one count of animal cruelty. He could face up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine.
Posted by sue at April 11, 2008 09:50 AM