Humane Society of Washington County, Maryland

Horse Rescue Press Releases

Sharpsburg Horse Rescue Plea Agreement Ends Case
03 Apr 2007

Hagerstown, MD: Barbara Reinken, the Sharpsburg woman whose 75 horses were seized in December 2006, appeared in Washington County Circuit Court on Tuesday April 3, 2007. Ms. Reinken by and through her counsel Edward Button of Washington County and Charles Iannuzzi of Woodbury, NJ, entered a Plea and Sentencing Agreement pursuant to Maryland Rule 4-243.

Trial to Begin in the Sharpsburg Horse Rescue Case
28 Mar 2007

Hagerstown: In the matter of the State of Maryland v. Barbara Reinken the Circuit Court of Washington County has scheduled a trial date of April 3, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. According to the State's Attorney's Office no witnesses are needed for the hearing.

This case attracted national attention when 74 horses were impounded from Ms. Reinken’s 32 acre farm in Sharpsburg, MD in December 2006. She recently entered a prayer to the court for a jury trial.

Open House In Washington County for the Remaining Sharpsburg Horse Rescue Horses to be held on Saturday, October 6th
04 Oct 2007

Hagerstown, MD: An open house will be held on Saturday October 6^th for the remaining Sharpsburg Horse Rescue horses still available for adoption in Washington County. The time will be 12 pm until 4 pm and the location is 17907 Spielman Road, Fairplay, MD 21733.

There are currently 10 horses available although two will be adopted together as they are mother and young colt. For more information on the available horses please visit the Humane Society of Washington County’s website at www.hswcmd.org. Anyone interested in attending the open house may contact the Humane Society of Washington County at 301 733 2060 extension 237 for directions and information.

Open House for Some of the Sharpsburg Horse Rescue Horses
24 Sep 2007

Hagerstown MD: A number of the horses rescued from a farm in rural Maryland in December of 2006 are still looking for homes. Pheasant Hill Equine Foundation, Inc., located in Adamstown, MD is overseeing the adoption of 9 of the horses. They will be holding an open house this Saturday, September 29^th at 4911 Bald Hill Road in Adamstown, MD 21710 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

New Trial in Sharpsburg Horse Rescue Case
14 Mar 2007

Hagerstown, MD: The trial of Barbara Reinken, the Sharpsburg woman whose 74 horses were seized on her property in December 2006, scheduled to begin on March 19, 2007, will be rescheduled. Ms. Reinken entered a prayer to the court for a jury trial. This transfers the case to the Circuit Court and a new trial date will be assigned.

New Trial date set for the Sharpsburg Horse Rescue Case
27 Feb 2007

Hagerstown, MD: Barbara Reinken, the Sharpsburg woman whose 74 horses were seized in December 2006, appeared in Washington County District Court on Thursday February 22nd. The State requested the matter be rapidly set for its trial date and Judge Mark D. Thomas granted the Stare’s request, setting a court date of March 19th at 1:00 pm for the beginning of the criminal trial. Ms. Reinken was informed of her rights and since the potential imprisonment exceeds 90 days she was informed she is permitted to request a jury trial. Her counsel was not present.

Trial in Sharpsburg Horse Rescue Case
07 Feb 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.

Charges Filed in the Sharpsburg Horse Rescue Case
22 Dec 2006

Sharpsburg, MD: The civil hearing involving a petition brought by Ms. Barbara Reinken, owner of the Sharpsburg MD farm where 74 horses were seized on December 2nd, was given a continuance. The court date has not been established at this time.

Sharpsburg Horse Seizure Update
21 Dec 2006

Sharpsburg, MD: On December 17th, 2006 the Humane Society of Washington County removed the remaining 22 horses impounded on the Mills Road farm in Sharpsburg, Maryland.

The owner of the farm, Barbara Reinken, has petitioned the Washington County District courts for the return of all of her horses. She will appear in Washington County District court on Friday December 22nd at 1:30 pm.

Sharpsburg Horse Property
06 Dec 2006

Hagerstown, MD: At 6:00 pm on Tuesday December 5th the warrant served at the property at 4040 Mills Road, Sharpsburg MD was completed. The owner is free to return to her property. Of the horses impounded 22 horses remain on the property at this time. The horses are still under the oversight of the Humane Society of Washington County.

Horse Property Seized
03 Dec 2006

Hagerstown, MD-At 3:00 pm on Saturday December 2nd a warrant was served at 4040 Mills Road in Sharpsburg, MD by the Humane Society of Washington County (HSWC) and the Washington County Sherriff's department. The property has been seized and is being treated as a crime scene.