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Woman Charged for Neglecting 16 Horses

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This horse had severe muscle wasting and weak hind quarters, according to Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary.

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This horse had severe muscle wasting and weak hind quarters, according to Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary.

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Published: 11/30/2009 10:26 pm

Updated: 12/01/2009 9:09 pm

Trumbull County Sheriff's Office deputies found 16 horses and other animals living in squalor at a state Route 82 property in Braceville Monday.

"I haven't seen a case like this in a while," Jennifer Sanderson, a Portage County humane officer, said. "This is a really bad case of neglect, and it's very obvious."

Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary officials said they removed 11 horses, a calf, a goat, three chickens and three guinea fowl from the property.

Melissa Giambrone, 28, was arrested Friday and was charged with one count of cruelty to animals and another of cruelty to companion animals. She pleaded not guilty to the charges in Newton Falls Municipal Court Monday.

According to reports, the horses at her property were severely starved, with some even eating wood on the stalls and each other's tails for protein.

"There could be no food or grain found on the entire property for these animals," Sanderson said.

Four of the recovered horses are at the Happy Trails in Ravenna. One is nearly 700 pounds underweight, officials said.

"When this poor guy came in, he couldn't even keep his head up. And his eyes actually had sunk back into its sockets," Annette Fisher, Happy Trails executive director, said.

Trumbull County Sheriff's Deputy Harold Firster said it was one of the worst cases of animal abuse he has seen. He said the animals had not been fed.

"It can't happen overnight,"Rob Willard, Happy Trails board member, said. "Some of these horses, we don't know how long it's been. We have no idea. But it surely didn't happen overnight."

The horses taken to Happy Trails will be kept warm at night with special blankets and though they're finally getting the food they need, skin infections still exist across much of their bodies.

"We are totally non-profit and all volunteer," Willard said. "This money is coming strictly out of our pockets from the day that we remove the horses. So, to see her have to pay full restitution to us, would be phenomenal. And that she's able to not own horses or any other animal for the rest of her life."

Sanderson agreed: "Things like this need to be stopped. Not just a slap on the wrist."

The maximum sentence for the animal cruelty charge is 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.

For more information on Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, click here.

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corncob - 1/9/2010 9:44 AM

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Melissa went around pretending she was a rescue center for animals.One of the officers who always investigated the allegiations had his horses boarded there.He just lost his job.When you called her phone it answered Giambrone Co. which made you think she had a large business ,which is her parents in Hudson.It's called fraudlent conveyance when you run around collecting money pretending you are a charity and you are not.Alot of people have filed reports with the sheriffs department about her scams and it's all starting to catch up with her.I'll say this much she's NOT GONNA GET THE MOTHER OF THE YEAR AWARD.I think you are going to see more charges against her which is what she deserves.

gunzck41 - 12/4/2009 10:21 AM

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Melissa's mother and father are multi-millionaires and own a large construction company in Streetsboro! Could they not have helped her? This is ridiculous. It is this same business that is building the new Ravenna High School. Money was available - no excuse!

thatscraziness - 12/1/2009 8:51 AM

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correction; 16 horses. Its a shame she cant be charged for each individual animal: Cruelty to animals is defined as: “Torture an animal, deprive one of necessary sustenance, unnecessarily or cruelly beat, needlessly mutilate or kill, or impound or confine an animal without supplying it during such confinement with a sufficient quantity of good wholesome food and water; affording it access to shelter; carry or convey an animal in a cruel or inhuman[e] manner.” (Note, there are other provisions which govern the conditions in which production animals are cared for and transported.) Cruelty to animals is a 2nd degree Misdemeanor with a fine up to $750 and/or imprisonment up to 90 days. Cruelty to companion animals is defined as: “knowingly torture, torment, needlessly mutilate or maim, cruelly beat, poison, needlessly kill, or commit an act of cruelty against a companion animal.” The first offense is a 1st degree Misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 and/or imprisonment up to 90 days. A second or subsequent offense is a 5th degree Felony with a fine up to $2500 and/or imprisonment up to 12 months. Any fines collected from this offense shall be paid to the society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals, if there be such in the county, township, or municipal corporation where such violation occurred. Exemptions are made for scientific research, veterinary care, dogs used for hunting or field trials, farming and veterinary care. Abandoning an animal is a minor Misdemeanor with a fine up to $100.

thatscraziness - 12/1/2009 8:25 AM

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With all of the digital technology out today, why didnt the neighbors or passerbys pick up a camera and report it? Or dare I say it, a phone? It kills me to see people comment who knew she was being cruel to animals yet did not react. Obviously, people knew she had a reputation! If complaints were previously made to authorities then officials need to be held accountable. She had eleven horses! To be on the safe side, why dont they find out what kind of person(s) were selling them to her?

momofsix - 12/1/2009 6:18 AM

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Melissa supposedly ran a "rescue" for horses, thank God she has finally been stopped. Now throw the book at her!

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