Two horses dead, four seized during investigation in Farmington

(Ontario County Sheriff’s Office)

ROCHESTER, NY (WROC) – Two horses were found dead and four more were recovered from a stable in Farmington during an animal cruelty investigation.

Officials with the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Farmington address on May 26 and found four live horses in a stable on the property, lacking food and water. They said the horses were standing in a horse barn filled with 24 to 30 inches of manure.

Officials said they found another adult horse dead and decomposing in a stall covered with manure, as well as another dead horse, presumably a foal, covered with a tarp.

Deputies also said the stable floor was covered in manure containing bits of plastic that the horses had chewed on, and there was no water or electricity.

The four live horses were seized and removed from the stable. They will be housed at a local livestock station for care.

The 68-year-old owner and keeper, Edward Perdue, has been charged with four counts of cruelty to animals and four counts of failure to provide food and water to a confiscated animal. Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.

Perdue received a summons to appear in Farmington Municipal Court.