3 Horses, Pony Found In 'Poor Condition, Malnourished': Middletown PD

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Middletown Police say three men were charged with animal cruelty after animal control unit officers received a tip from a concerned citizen.

Ricardo, Javier Castellano, 25, Erik Hernandez, 19, and Luis Xavier Ortiz-Santiago, 20, all three of them from Springfield, MA., were charged with animal cruelty, police said.

Middletown Police Animal Control Officers (ACO) were called to 205 Middle St. for the well-being check of three horses and a pony.

When ACO arrived, they determined the horses and the pony did not have sufficient food and supplies, police said. The owners of the animals were identified as out-of-state residents who were not affiliated with the property. They initially complied with care instructions, but animal control officers continued to monitor the well-being of the animals periodically, police said.

Animal control officers received a tip on Wednesday, April 26, that no one had been on the property to care for the animals for at least three days, and the horses and the pony were outside the entire time, police said.

When ACO arrived, they discovered the three horses and the pony were left outside and had no access to food or water for at least three days, police said.

They were in poor condition and malnourished, police said.

Officers determined no food was on the animals' property, and the barn's condition was unsanitary, police said. ACO provided the animals with water and cleaned their stalls with the resident's assistance, police said.

Animal control officers also had hay donated from multiple sources in the community to feed the animals. The investigation continued, and animal control regularly checked on the animals.

On Friday, April 28, an ACO and a Middletown Patrol Officer responded to the property to check on the animals.

When the officers arrived, they said they determined the lack of care continued, and no one had been on the property to provide for them. While on the scene, three men arrived at the property who claimed to be responsible for the care of the animals.

Based on the conditions of the animals before ACO intervention and the unsanitary conditions of the property, all three men were charged with five counts of animal cruelty, police said.

They were transported to Middletown Police Headquarters for processing.

Castellano, Hernandez and Ortiz-Santiago were released on a $25,000 non-surety bond, police said. They are scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court on May 12.

The investigation remains ongoing.

For now, Middletown Police Animal Control Officers will care for the horses and the pony with the assistance of residents.