In Maryland starving horses case, owner indicted on animal cruelty, abuse

A woman who owns a Wicomico County farm where several dead horses were found and many more in poor condition has been indicted, prosecutors said.

May 21, the Grand Jury for Wicomico County indicted Barbara Pilchard on 16 felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 48 misdemeanor counts of animal abuse and neglect, according to the Wicomico State's Attorney's Office.

A call to the Pilchard residence was not returned Friday morning.

Pilchard had her first appearance in the Circuit Court for Wicomico County on Friday, June 8. The charges arise from an investigation conducted by both the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office and Wicomico County Animal Control into allegations of animal abuse and neglect received March 16.

Ultimately, 98 live horses were discovered in March on Pilchard’s Cherry Walk Road farm in unlivable conditions, according to prosecutors, along with 20-25 carcasses in various stages of decomposition.

Based on the allegations, evidence was collected and the surviving horses were seized.  The horses have now been surrendered and are in the care and custody of rescue organizations.

Court records indicate Sheriff's Office personnel visited the property at least 81 times in recent years but until March 16, had not found sufficient evidence to take action. In 1995, more than 200 cats had been removed from the same property, which resulted in charges including 100 counts of animal neglect.

Those charges were placed on the stet docket and never prosecuted. 

More recently, Pilchard was charged four different times with illegal dumping after neighbors had complained about horses wandering onto their property and leaving feces in their yards. One of those cases resulted in a guilty plea, a 30-day suspended sentence and a period of probation.

One 2014 visit by Sheriff's Office personnel, accompanied by representatives from the Humane Society and an equine expert, resulted in a consensus nothing they observed would support charges against Pilchard.

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Wicomico County Humane Society Executive Director Aaron Balsamo released the following statement Friday: “Since removal of the horses, their overall condition has improved. They are at various rescue locations, where they are receiving all appropriate and necessary veterinary care. The Wicomico County Humane Society continues to  monitor their progress and appreciates all the community’s support and concern.”

The state's attorney's office asked the the public's patience in this case.

"The Office of the State’s Attorney takes all allegations of animal neglect and abuse seriously," according to a Friday statement. "We ask for the public’s patience as the case proceeds through the criminal justice system."

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, who was one of the first on the scene on March 16 when the story broke, said it was a lengthy investigation that culminated in many charges. 

"I'm proud of all the investigators and the diligence they used in preparing the charges," said Lewis. "I am confident the charges are applicable, and I know we've all done the best we possibly can to bring this case to trial.

Lewis said there's still a lot of work to do before the case goes to court. 

"We'll continue to work with the State's Attorney's Office," he said, "and the Circuit Court judge will decide based on the testimony of witnesses."

But Lewis said he sees a silver lining in everything that has transpired since St. Patrick's Day weekend. 

"Those horses that were rescued are now doing well," he said. "They're being properly cared for and hopefully will never again have to live in conditions like that." 

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This report will be updated.