February 7, 2007

Hagerstown, MD:  The Sharpsburg woman, Barbara Reinken, whose 74 horses were seized on her property in December 2006 is scheduled to appear in Washington County District Court on Feb 22, 2007 at 1pm.  Due to the number of cases set on the docket that day, and the unlikelihood of the court reaching the lengthy Reinken matter, the State has elected to not summons its volunteers and veterinarians on that day because of the likelihood of continuance.  The State discourages any attendees from suffering any inconvenience by attending this trial date.  The State will ask that the matter be rapidly set for its own trial date so it can be reached without undue inconvenience to its witnesses, and without undue delay. A date will be set by the court at a later time. 

Ms. Reinken was charged with 72 misdemeanor counts of abuse or neglect of animal and 4 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals on December 22nd, 2006.  If convicted on the misdemeanor charges, she faces imprisonment not to exceed 90 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000, or both, for each misdemeanor offense.  If convicted of the felony charges she faces imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding $5,000, or both.  

The horse rescue effort that began on December 2nd, 2006 has now become an extensive medical and rehabilitative effort.  “We continue to provide for the veterinary, rehabilitative and daily needs of the 70 live horses remaining in our care,” stated Paul Miller, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Washington County.  He added, “The Humane Society of Washington County is dedicated to overseeing the welfare of these horses.  With the likelihood that the trial date will be pushed back, these animals continue to require the assistance of the public in the forms of donations of hay and monetary contributions.”  

For those wishing to contribute to the ongoing veterinary care and rehabilitation of the seized horses, contributions can be made out to the Humane Society of Washington County, Attention: The Sharpsburg Horse Rescue Medical and Rehabilitation Fund, 13011 Maugansville Road, Hagerstown MD  21740.