Neglected Horses, Dogs, Chickens, Rabbits Seized From Local Farm: Report

For the 32 horses and other animals at Fairy Tail Equine Facility in East Hampton, a state Department of Agriculture report alleges their experience there was anything but magical.

According to the report, animals were seized from the Daniel Street property as part of an animal cruelty investigation. The investigation determined the animals were malnourished, not receiving proper veterinary care and kept in unhealthy conditions.

The facility is owned by Thomas and Melanie Olajos, who breed Friesian, Andalusian, and Gypsy Vanner horses. In addition to the 32 horses, the department seized:

• Two dogs
• Several rabbits
• More than 80 chickens

“The horses were taken under a search-and-seizure warrant signed by a Superior Court judge and brought to the department’s Second Chance large animal rehabilitation facility in Niantic, where they will be cared for as the investigation continues,” according to a report from Steve Jensen.

How the Investigation Began

In September 2015, East Hampton’s animal control officer received a complaint from a woman who had leased four horses to the breeder. The woman said the animals were emaciated when she picked them up a few days earlier.

“Those horses were subsequently hospitalized after being diagnosed with malnutrition and parasites,” Jensen wrote in the press release. “The East Hampton officer went to the facility on Sept. 9, but was denied access to the animals.”

On Sept. 10, animal control officers from the Department of Agriculture visited the farm and found Thomas Olajos on the property, with no hay or grain available for the horses to eat, Jensen said.

“The initial assessment found that nearly half of the horses on the property were underweight and exhibiting signs of malnutrition including muscle wasting, protruding hip bones and visible ribs and spines,” the Department noted. “Olajos was instructed to have hay and clean water available for the horses at all times, and to obtain veterinary care for numerous horses that had untrimmed or cracked hooves. A subsequent evaluation of the horses by a veterinarian hired by Olajos found that several had anemia related to malnutrition.”

“Our Goal Was to Work With the Owner”

The veterinarian reportedly advised Olajos to double the amount of hay given to the horses to 200 bales a week, and made a list of other detailed feeding and treatment suggestions for him to follow.

When the Department of Agriculture’s animal control officers made regular visits to the property, they observed that some had gained weight while others had not.

“Olajos, however, admitted that he did not follow through on most of the recommendations made by the officers and the veterinarian, including supplying copies of receipts for the purchase of hay and grain,” Jensen said. “On Dec. 4, state animal control officers returned to the farm and again found the horses with no hay available to eat, and two in a barn with no food or water.”

Officers gave the two horses water and said the horses drank several gallons immediately, “indicating that they had been without water for some time,” according to the report.

Olajos eventually arrived at the farm with a load of hay he had just picked up, they said.

“Today [Feb. 2, 2016] each of the 32 horses was evaluated by Dr. Bruce Sherman, a veterinarian with the Dept. of Agriculture, who determined that all were to be removed from the property to ensure they were properly treated in a healthy environment.

“Our goal was to work with the owner to rehabilitate the horses on site,” said Sherman, Director of the agency’s Bureau of Regulation and Inspection. “Unfortunately, our best efforts to bring the owner into compliance did not result in all of the horses being cared for to the degree that we required.”

The dogs, chickens and rabbits were taken to municipal animal shelters in nearby towns. The Dept. of Agriculture will continue the investigation to determine if criminal charges are warranted.

Photo Information:

• Dept. of Agriculture Animal Control Supervisor Ray Connors with one of the seized horses
• Veterinarian Dr. Bruce Sherman taking a blood sample from one of the seized horses
• A malnourished Great Dane seized from the property
• Some of the 32 horses seized from the property