Chuck Borell Charged With Animal Cruelty
The latest development in the ongoing Borell neglect saga broke this afternoon, when Chuck Borell was arrested and charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty in Mercer County, Kentucky.
Chuck Borell, father of Maria Borell, has been charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty as of this afternoon. Borell attempted to access the farm where he and his daughter had apparently abandoned over 40 Thoroughbreds and other horses; however, the farm gate was locked and he was shortly taken into custody. The determination was made that the horses on the farm belonged to Chuck Borell; Chuck and Maria had reportedly been “pointing fingers” at each other for months with neither individual taking responsibility as owner of the animals or to provide adequate care.
In Kentucky, second-degree animal cruelty is considered a misdemeanor.
As of yet, there is no word if Maria Borell will be charged with animal cruelty or whether or not there is a warrant for her arrest. [UPDATE 6:25 PM: a warrant has been issued for Maria Borrel’s arrest.]
For readers new to the Borell neglect story, the unfolding situation in Kentucky is just the latest development in Maria Borell’s ongoing drama: the trainer of 2015 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Runhappy was fired just a day after the horse’s championship victory, with many fans of horse racing as well as personalities within the racing world coming to Maria’s defense. Her story took a darker turn when she parted ways with her next employer for not paying bills. Now that this abuse case in Kentucky has come to light, other witnesses have come forward to state that the trainer has a history of bouncing checks, trashing properties and providing inadequate care for her horses.
The horses in question on the farm in Mercer County have been receiving care since early June, according to Rusty Ford of the Kentucky state veterinary department. On Monday, a veterinary team assessed the horses on the property and made arrangements for six horses in the worst condition to be removed to safety. Those horses were taken to the Blackburn facility of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation where they continue to receive care.
Leave a Comment