Susan Marie O’Neill

Neglected horse rescued from front yard pen

Middleburg, FL

August 4, 2006

Clay County Animal Control officers found a horse penned in the front yard of the home of Susan O’Neill in Clay County, with no food or water.  Officials stated the horse, named Sugar, suffered from worms, abscesses on her feet and bad teeth.

O’Neill told authorities that she had owned the horse for 22 years and did not remember ever taking her to a vet.  O’Neill has now been charged with cruelty to animals.

Sugar is now up for adoption at Animal Control, but a vet states that she may recover from malnourishment, she can never be ridden again.

Update 10/11/06:

O’Neill, age 53, plead guilty to failing to properly feed and see medical help for a horse she owned for 22 years.

O’Neill was sentenced to 2 years probation and cannot own any animals while on probation.  She must also complete 50 hours of community service work.

Reference:

WAWS Fox30

Florida Times-Union