N.Y. Thoroughbred Breeder arrested for 35 counts of Animal Cruelty
50,292 Supporters of "STOP the Animal Neglect in Columbia County, New York" would like to know when Paul Czajka, District Attorney, County of Columbia, N.Y. and James Carlucci, ADA are going to prosecute Andrea Nussinow, owner/operator of Blue Star Thoroughbred Breeding Farm ( BS Farm ) for 35 criminal acts of Animal Cruelty ?
Timeline: as we understand it according to public records.
2014-2017: Multiple complaints of Animal Cruelty and multiple investigations by Columbia Greene Humane Society ( CGHS). No warning, tickets, or arrests made despite live and dead evidence, and credible witnesses. Ron Perez and Lee DeLisle, Animal Cruelty Investigators from CGHS.
7/4/17 New York State Police Troopers arrested Nussinow for eleven counts (11) of Animal Cruelty "failing to provide sustenance" to forty (40) horses. A licensed Veterinarian determined eight (8) horses HORSE/COUNT # 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 were THIN, VERY THIN, and in EXTREME EMACIATION and 32 Thoroughbreds and other horses were without any water COUNT 9,10,11.
7/8/17 Court issued "SEIZE IN PLACE" order. No horses or animals in/out without written prior approval, and Nussinow must properly care for all the animals until the case is adjudicated. NYSP/CGHS given 24/7 access without notice, or approval by Nussinow because the farm has been "seized" by the Court.
CGHS given the responsibility of "oversight" of the farm to make sure the animals were being properly cared for. Ron Perez and Lee DeLisle.
8/21/17: four ( 4) rescues HORSE # 3,4,5,094 removed with a court order. ALL four horses were neglected, malnourished, feet untrimmed, and HORSE # 3 had mucus dripping from her nose, nearly blind from untreated uveitis, head shy, and scared to death. Documentation given to NYSP, CGHS, DA's Office, and NY Attorney General's Office re: additional animal neglect after the arrest and during the "seize in place" order. A complaint was lodged with Perez, CGHS.
10/17/17 Nussinow buys four Thoroughbred broodmares at the Saratoga Fasig Tipton Thoroughbred Fall sale for $ 6,900 and brings all 4 horses to BS Farm during the "seize in place" order in "Contempt of Court". CGHS/DA's Office alerted, but DA/CGHS fail to additionally charge, or re-arrest Nussinow for "Contempt of Court".
Ron Perez, CGHS personally notified of the "Contempt of Court" violation by Nussinow.
Why bother having laws and court orders if nobody follows them, and the Authorities do not enforce the laws which only enables the criminals, and disrespects the Court ? or is it considered hindering a criminal investigation, and aiding and abetting felony crimes ?
12/16/17 Paul Czajka, DA convenes a Grand Jury Hearing to review the 11 counts of Animal Cruelty for probable cause for an indictment.
The Prosecution and Animal Expert dismissed 7 Counts, or 36 neglected and emaciated horses personally owned by Nussinow and a private boarder. The 36 neglected horses included 7 Thoroughbred mares, and 3 foals without any water in a hot barn on a 90 degree day COUNT 9,10,11.
Prosecution presents four (4) horses HORSE # 2,3,4,5 Nussinow obtained custody of 45 days earlier by misrepresenting the care they would be provided. All information re: animal neglect of the rescues HORSE # 3,4,5,094, expert reports, testimony, photos were omitted from the prosecutions evidence which "tricked" the Grand Jurors into voting NO BILL based on a fake "rescue defense". According to Nussinow, Perez assisted with the prosecution, and Perez and DeLisle testified at the Grand Jury Hearing.
3/18/18 Nussinow/attorneys put the County of Columbia, CGHS, Ron Perez, and Lee DeLisle on NOTICE: Pending lawsuit for False arrest.
1/1/18 to 1/1/20: the Public continues to complain of Animal Cruelty to NYSP and CGHS complete with evidence, photos, testimony of credible witnesses. Perez, CGHS "personally" completed an Animal Cruelty Investigation and closes the case....again.
3/18/19: Nussinow files a 15 million dollar lawsuit against the County of Columbia, CGHS, Perez, Delisle for false arrest and malicious prosecution as the animals continue to starve.
12/19 More complaints of Animal Cruelty by the Public and a search warrant is issued to NYSP.
1/2/20: New York State Police seized 38 emaciated and neglected animals from Blue Star Thoroughbred Breeding Farm with the help of Godspeed Horse Hostel from DUTCHESS COUNTY. 6 animals were in such poor health they needed to be humanely euthanized. The Thoroughbred mares purchased in "Contempt of Court" and their young by their sides are now amongst the emaciated and neglected horses just seized by the Police. These 4 Thoroughbred mares NEVER should have been allowed at BS farm to begin with, unless of course Nussinow knew CGHS/DA would not additionally charge, or re-arrest her from past experience.
3/17/20 New York State Police Troopers arrest Nussinow for the 2nd time for Animal Cruelty 35 counts of " injuring, torturing, and starving" the animals.
12/30/20 Still no prosecution by Paul Czajka, DA, or James Carlucci, ADA for the serious Animal Cruelty case involving racehorses, and other animals. 12 animals dead, and others permanently damaged.
How do the 50,292 Supporters of " STOP the Animal Neglect in Columbia County, New York" want to proceed ?
So far the Town of Clermont, the County of Columbia, District Attorney's Office, CGHS, NY Attorney General's Office, and the Honorable Governor Andrew Cuomo have failed to protect the racehorses/animals, or prosecute this criminal Animal Cruelty case.