NEWS
N.Y. officials hope to strengthen abuse laws in light of Paragallo arrest
Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009 2:42 PM
by Paul Post
Officials monitoring Ernest Paragallo’s Center Brook Farm, where 177 starved, diseased Thoroughbreds were discovered last April, are working with New York lawmakers to make sure such incidents are subject to more stringent penalties.
On August 6, Paragallo was indicted on 35 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals. He remains free on $5,000 bail facing up to $35,000 in fines—$1,000 for each offense—and two years in jail, the maximum penalty allowable under law. A trial, barring an unexpected settlement, is expected to start next spring in Greene County Court.
Under current state law, equine abuse may only be treated as a misdemeanor while cruelty to domestic pets such as cats and dogs is considered a felony.
Paragallo is subject to the law at the time of his alleged offenses, but officials hope to prevent similar situations in the future by upgrading similar crimes to felony status.
“We’ve met with [New York State Senator Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) who chares the Senate’s Racing and Wagering Committee] to get these laws toughened,” said Ron Perez of the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, which is responsible for oversight at Paragallo’s farm in Climax, New York.
Republican Senator Roy J. McDonald and Assemblyman Tony Jordan, both of whom represent Saratoga County, have called for similar action.
Perez said that he and Jerry Bilinski, D.V.M., last visited Paragallo’s farm in mid-October, where the 60-plus remaining horses are all in good shape. “There’s four workers there now,” he said. “With this many horses things are a lot more manageable. They’re getting all the hay and feed they need.”
Nursing horses back to health has cost the humane society more than $80,000 in feed, medical supplies and veterinary expense. Much of the tab has been paid for through donations. New York Racing Association donated a considerable sum.
Perez said he hopes prosecutors will seek the maximum punishment allowable, including fines. “We’ll be seeking restitution,” he said.
Paul Post is a New York-based correspondent for Thoroughbred Times
