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Orange County woman faces animal cruelty charges after 20 dead horses found on farm Date published: 8/18/2009
BY ROBIN KNEPPER An Orange County farm owner who had been operating a rescue facility for polo ponies has been charged with animal cruelty and failure to properly dispose of dead animals. Nancy Sorrel Mackall, 55, is scheduled to be in court Friday to face criminal misdemeanor charges, which include 10 counts of animal cruelty and 20 counts of failure to bury or cremate dead animals. Ten horses and three dogs were removed from Mackall's Langley Farm in Mine Run Aug. 6 and placed in foster care. One horse is being cared for at the Orange County Animal Shelter. "It was really nasty out there," said Sheriff's Chief Deputy Tim Murphy. "The animals definitely looked sick." Neighbor Joanie Millward said she found the animals after receiving a call from Mackall asking her to check in on them. "She told me she was in the hospital, so my husband and I went over there," Millward said. "I hadn't seen or heard from her for over a year. She used to run the Polo Pony Retirement Foundation and would occasionally call us to water her horses." Millward said she found horses and dogs without food or water. Two horses in the barn were emaciated, the horses outside had nothing to eat and there was a stallion being kept in a horse trailer, she said. One dog was in the house and two were kept in an outside building, Millward added. The Millwards left food and water and called Animal Control the next morning. Cruelty to horses in Virginia is a misdemeanor because they are considered livestock, not companion animals. Millward, who is caring for one of Mackall's dogs, said she hopes criminal charges are brought over the treatment of the dogs. Mackall was in General District Court last week for a seizure hearing. The civil process brought by Orange County Animal Control resulted in prohibition against Mackall having horses for the next two years, her paying medical and boarding costs for the seized animals and paying the cost of someone caring for the animals remaining on her farm. Robin Knepper: 540/972-5701
Further, most of these ponies either had Jockey Club tattoos or were microchipped. No one even bothered to check! I'm hearing that a judge dispersed the herd before animal control even got involved. The previous owners sent their favorite ponies to retirement believing they would be well cared for for the rest of their lives. Now they can't even find out if they are dead or alive! How is that a good job!?!?!?!
I'm not so sure about that! I just found out about the situation yesterday. We are a polo family and know a majority of the polo community. No one knew about this! As far as we can tell, no effort was made to contact any polo organization to return the ponies to their original owners. As a matter of fact, since we found out and the owners are trying to find their ponies, it seems that a man who has been "given" 10 of the ponies is retusing to return them unless he is paid $1500 to $3500 apiece.!
in rescue work. And I pick up every single stray dog I've ever seen as well. I do know there are many many great rescues out there...people who sacrifice alot to help out animals and those are the good guys. Kudos to all of them. But we all know those kooky rescue people as well---the one who won't let you have a dog, but keep all of them in less than stellar conditions...they exist too. Very sad. But I'm glad for the good guys.
who took these horses in. That is, after, all, where they ended up, isn't it? It's not as if anyone else was standing in line to rehab a bunch of skinny, sickly horses. Great job, Traveller's Rest! And Orange County Sheriff's Dept. did a fine job, as well.
Well she won't get much time. Hey Vick is back in the NFL. What message does that give. These are sad sick individuals.
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