Animal league gets horse aid
NORTHFIELD: The Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and Northfield Park race track have donated about $1,000 worth of money and supplies to help the Portage County Animal Protective League, following the discovery last week of dead and malnourished horses at a farm in Brimfield Township.
The association donated 500 pounds of specialized grain feed, blankets and hoods requested by the animal group.
”I spoke with our horsemen and we decided to take the money from our emergency fund to purchase the specific items the APL requested,” association representative Amy Hollar said.
Track management also donated money to help cover emergency veterinary work. Northfield Park is a financial supporter of New Vocations, which specializes in retraining retired pacers and trotters as pleasure horses.
”At the core of this business is a respect and love for these animals,” Northfield Chief Operating Officer Tom Aldrich said.
Diane Silbaugh, operator of the Never Rest Ranch, has been charged by Brimfield police with nine misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.
She is scheduled to appear in Kent Municipal Court on Feb. 11.
Six horses were found dead at the boarding facility last week.
The Animal Protective League and Rescue Village are working to save other horses found at the farm.
After 30 days, several of those horses will be sent to the Happy Trails Farm Sanctuary, which will coordinate their adoptions. The Animal Protective League is in need of hay and is accepting contributions.
The APL is located at 8122 Infirmary Road, Ravenna, OH 44266. Checks should be made out to Horse Fund.
