Horse Owner Faces 77 Charges

HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- A woman accused of neglecting dozens of horses on her farm was charged Friday with 73 misdemeanor counts of animal abuse and four felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

Barbara P. Reinken, 61, declined to comment on the charges, which came nearly three weeks after the Humane Society of Washington County and the sheriff's office searched at her farm about 60 miles west of Baltimore. Reinken previously denied mistreating the animals.

Reinken's lawyer, Edward N. Button, also declined to comment on the charges, which carry up to 21 years in prison and $93,000 in fines.

Trial is set for Feb. 22.

Virtually all the 75 horses taken alive from Reinken's property were infected with parasites, and many had diseased teeth, skin and feet, according to court papers. One was found dead in a pasture, one died in transit and two were euthanized.

The felony charges were for the four deaths, prosecutors said. One misdemeanor charge is over cat neglect.