Starved weanlings recovering; court date set

            Nearly two months after they were seized from a farm in Littlestown, Pa. by the Adams County SPCA, 18 thoroughbred weanlings who had been close to death are slowly but surely returning to health.
            Acting on a tip, officials with the Adams County SPCA found the starving weanlings on November 16 at a farm leased to James W. Houseman, 44, at 135 Fesser Road. Houseman, of Littlestown, has since been charged with 22 counts of animal cruelty, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
            Of the original group of 21 weanlings, three were very weak from malnutrition and died shortly after being brought to the SPCA’s facilities in Gettysburg, but the remaining 18 have responded to veterinary care and the loving attention of a legion of volunteers, who have offered their services to the SPCA after learning about their plight through local television stations, newspapers and web sites.
            “They are doing much, much better,” said arresting officer Abigail Avery, who was one of the first on the scene in Littlestown after the SPCA was alerted to the situation by the owners of the Fesser Road farm, Fred L. and Denise Dutterer. “They are starting to act like normal young horses again, and it’s wonderful to watch them finally start running around and playing. They’ve put on weight, and now we’re working on treating their rain rot. All of them are covered with pretty severe rain rot, but the first thing we wanted to do when they arrived here was to address their malnutrition and get them stabilized.”
            Here's how the weanlings look now:

(Photos of the weanlings courtesy of the Adams County SPCA web site)

            According to Denise Dutterer in a published report, Houseman began leasing the farm in mid-October, and the couple became suspicious when they were unable to communicate with him. She said she was “shocked” when she saw the condition of the horses.

            Houseman’s court date is set for Tuesday, Feb. 14 in Adams County, where he will face Magesterial District Judge Daniel S. Bowman in Bonneauville (phone 717-334-7810). Houseman’s attorney is Steve Rice, Esq., in Gettysburg (phone 717-339-0011). The District Attorney in Adams County is Fawn Elizabeth Smith, Esq., in Gettyburg (phone 717-337-9840).
            You can read Houseman’s court information, including the date, time, charges and attorney information, here: http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.aspx?district=MDJ-51-3-02&docketNumber=MJ-51302-NT-0000654-2011
            Avery said of the 18 weanlings, four are owned by a person in Florida, who wants them returned, while two more are owned by a father and daughter in Kentucky, who also wants them back.
            The remaining 12 came from Star Barn Thoroughbreds in Grantville, Pa., but Avery said the Adams Co. SPCA intends to ask Judge Bowman for custody of them, as “we do not want them going back to Star Barn,” she said.
            Avery described the scene at the farm on Fesser Road the day the weanlings were seized.
            “There was a smell of death as soon as you walked in the barn,” recalled Avery. “Two of the weanlings were down, and there was a dead mare lying underneath some hay. Unfortunately, we lost those two weanlings shortly after seizing them.
            “There was a very eerie feeling in that barn,” she continued. “Usually, when you have a group of that many weanlings, there is a lot of movement and sound. These weanlings were very lethargic, and even though they were all trying to crowd around us, looking for food, there was no noise. When we first brought them here (to the SPCA), they were very calm, and all you could hear was the sound of them eating and chomping on hay.”
            Houseman had also been under investigation by officials in Frederick County, Md., for suspected neglect of 34 horses, primarily broodmares, in Thurmont.
            Avery said the Adams County SPCA is “very, very blessed” for the financial support from the community, as well as the daily help from many volunteers.
            As for Star Barn Thoroughbreds, whose principals are Paul Truitt, DVM and Dr. Robert S. Barr, Avery said any charges brought against them would have to be made by SPCA officials in Lebanon County. It is unknown at this writing whether any animal cruelty charges have been brought. Star Barn is currently up for sale with Suburban Realty in Annville, Pa.
            For more information on the weanlings and the Adams County SPCA, here are some links:
            http://meyersshelter.org/
            http://www.abc27.com/story/16228054/caretaker-of-seized-horses-charged-with-animal-cruelty
            http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/ce/emmitsburg/2011/horse_abuse.htm