WARMINGTON: Woman charged with animal cruelty for alleged horse abuse

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A woman has been charged after a vile video surfaced online that investigators say shows the sickening torture of a horse.

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But the horse’s condition and whereabouts remain cloudy and unclear. The mystery, intrigue and disturbing nature of this story of alleged animal cruelty continues.

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So far, there has been no independent verification of a claim in an online crowdfunding effort that the animal was rescued and returned to its original owner.

At this time, no one has provided any evidence or documents to show that the horse is alive and safe.

The health of this beautiful horse is the top priority for the thousands who responded The Toronto Sun’s Sunday’s front page story about the video showing this poor animal with ropes around its head and neck being dragged awkwardly along a road behind a moving vehicle.

The second part of the video, which shows pools of blood next to the horse’s bandaged hooves, disgusted people from all walks of life. They are also horrified by the creepy way a mysterious female was speaking to the horse, calling it “retarded”.

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The OPP and animal welfare agencies have been investigating and on Monday, the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General announced that police have charged a 23-year-old woman in connection with the sordid case.

“The Ministry can confirm that Solstice Pecile, aged 23, of Cavan Monaghan, has been charged with causing suffering to an animal under Sec. 15 (1) of the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act,” ministry spokesman Brent Ross said. “The accused is expected to appear in court on January 11, 2023 at Cobourg Provincial Criminal Court. Given that this matter is now before the court, it would be inappropriate to provide further details.”

(CAUTION: graphic images)

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Although the charges have not been tested in court, if Pecile is convicted of the charge, she faces a sentence of “to a fine of not more than $130,000, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.” In addition, Sgt. OPP. Robert Simpson told him Sun, officers are continuing their investigation.

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Could others be charged? Who was driving the vehicle?

The details of this twisted nightmare did not come easily.

Pecile is well known in the equine community as a champion competitor and trainer and is part of the family that operates Wishing Stone Farms, north of Port Hope near the town of Bailieboro.

While Pecile or her family have yet to return requests for comment, the farm’s website indicates that “has been around horses all his life’ and ‘has been riding long distance for over 10 years’ and ‘has been very successful’.

In a comment attributed to Pecile on the site, she said: “All my life I have worked with many different animals. I grew up on a horse farm, owning my own horses; this assured me that I am responsible and a good problem solver.”

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Pecile is also quoted as saying that she runs “my family’s farm, I teach riding lessons in a fun and positive way and I look after all the animals on my farm to make sure their health and care is the top priority” .

The Wishing Stone Farms website offers an “echine boot camp program,” which offers “a complete conditioning program for horses to be ready for competition.”

In light of the allegations, the Canadian Pony Club issued a statement saying that no “we condone or condone the mistreatment of any animal and take allegations seriously” and “suspend their membership in the Pony Club pending the outcome of an impartial, third-party investigation”.