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A Bailieboro-area horse trainer has been charged under Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services Act following an investigation into a disturbing video posted online of a horse being dragged into the back of a vehicle.
Solstice Pecile, 23, of Cavan-Monaghan, was charged with causing suffering to an animal under the Animal Welfare Services Act, according to Ministry of the Attorney General spokesman Brent Ross.
The video, which was allegedly posted by the accused on Facebook last week, shows a horse’s hooves sliding along the pavement while tied to the back of a vehicle with a rope.
In a second video, also posted by the accused, the horse is bleeding from the hooves and is called “retarded”.
On Friday, Nov. 25, Northumberland OPP sent out a press release saying they were “investigating a possible incident of animal cruelty” after receiving information regarding a video posted online of a horse. As of Monday morning (Nov. 28), OPP Sgt. Robert Simpson did not have an update on possible criminal charges.
“Yesterday was my worst nightmare but this sweet and beautiful girl is back with me,” Emily Reardon, the horse’s owner, wrote on Facebook.
“Although my heart hurts, it’s also so full and I’m so grateful to everyone for their help that made it possible to get my girl back.”
According to Reardon, the horse is five-year-old Ezra. In a GoFundMe post, Reardon explains that he bought Ezra as a former four-year-old, out-of-control horse.
“It took a lot of work just to be able to touch it for the first time. We went through every major stage with this horse’s first experience with humans,” she explains.
Because of a previous head injury and a scare that shook his confidence, Reardon says he sent Ezra to a trainer. However, the trainer was injured and Ezra was returned to her owner.
Reardon says he began a casual search to find a new informed home that could bring out Ezra’s incredible potential, and that’s when he found Wishing Stone Farm located near Bailieboro.
According to Wishing Stone Farm’s website, the family-owned and operated farm offers a wide range of services, including boarding, training, basic lessons and endurance lessons.
“I thought we had found him a forever home with a reputable trainer who had the skills and ability to bring him as he needed because he is a very sensitive horse,” she explains on the GoFundMe page.
“I thought I was handling her and giving her the best chance at an amazing life, I was wrong.”
Pecile is scheduled to appear in court on January 11, 2023 at Cobourg Provincial Criminal Court.