Danville's investigation began with a visit to Damato's barn, where authorities found 3 horses without food or water.  A 2-year-old quarter horse was found laying in the middle of the barn.  It was so emaciated that it had to be euthanized with the owners permission.  The other 2 horses, a 12-year-old quarter horse and a 7-year-old pinto gelding were removed from the property and returned to their owners.  Damato was leasing the horses.  The horses are still being treated, but are expected to recover.

Damato, age 45 of 272 Main St. was initially charged with cruelty to horses but is now being charged with cruelty to a dog, a Rottweiler named Boss and for making a false report to law enforcement.

Police found Boss, 20 pounds underweight and with worms, in the care of an unnamed third party.  Damato claimed she hadn't had Boss for 2 months but police traced the animal's whereabouts by following an ad Damato had posted on the Internet, where the dog was offered "free to a good home".

Boss has been doing well in the care of the SPCA in Stratham.  The dog is slowly putting on weight.

Damato (DOB 5/10/62) was released on $500 personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to appear in Plaistow District Court on May 5th on the additional charges.

Damato is also scheduled to appear in Plaistow District Court on April 14th on the horse cruelty charges.

If convicted, she could face up to a year in jail and/or a $2000 fine on each charge.  Boss will be put up for adoption by the SPCA .

Damato's arrest follows an investigation by the Danville Police and Animal Control, Hampstead Animal Control, the NHSPCA and TNT Equine, an equine veterinary practice.

Update 4/5/08:  Damato also was charged with making a false report to law enforcement.

In the aftermath of her arrest on the cruelty to horses charges, Damato claimed she hadn't had Boss for two months, Danville police Chief Wade Parsons said. Police do not believe Damato's contention, the chief said.

About two weeks ago, police found Boss, 20 pounds underweight and with worms, in the care of an unnamed third party.

Police traced the animal's whereabouts by following an ad Damato had allegedly posted on the Internet, where the dog was offered "free to a good home," Parsons said.

Damato was released on $500 personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to answer to the charges in Plaistow District Court at 8 a.m. on May 5.

Update 11/4/08:  Damato, now of Plaistow, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges and awaits a judge's decision on her penalty.

Yesterday, the prosecution offered testimony from law enforcement, while the defense supplied a character witness.  The judge took the testimony under advisement.

Update 3/12/10:  Damato was sentenced yesterday to 45 days in jail in an animal cruelty case that included a horse's death by starvation.

Damato, now 47, will serve her sentence on weekends, from 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday at 5 p.m.

Damato entered not guilty pleas, but accepted a guilty finding on them. She has appealed each conviction.

Yesterday's sentencing agreement followed a pre-trial sentence investigation report.  The sentence was ordered after the court took into consideration the apparent "extreme" cruelty, withholding food and water, resulting in the death of one of the horses, as well as stresses in the Damato's life, her lack of a criminal record and her successful care of animals in the past.

Damato made a brief statement "I'm glad it is over and I feel like I've done the right thing," she said.

Sheila Johannesen, Danville's animal control officer, said she was happy with the court's decision.  "I'm happy that justice is finally going to be served," Johannesen said. "Animals don't have any voice."

Conditions tied to the sentence include two years of probation and a mental health evaluation, and Damato cannot own any animals, except her dog and two cats, according to the court sentencing order.

She also was found guilty of filing a false report to law enforcement.

Reference:

The Eagle Tribune

Heaven's Here Farm