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Motion To Return Neglected Horses To Owner Denied

CENTREVILLE, Md. (WJZ)—It was the largest horse seizure in Maryland history. Nearly 150 neglected and emaciated horses were seized from a farm near Centreville in Queen Anne's County. 

Derek Valcourt explains the horse owner was in court trying to get her horses back.

The owner of Canterbury Farms tried to argue in court that her horses were unfairly taken from her and that she should get them back.  But a judge wasn't having it.

There was no comment from Marcia Parkinson as she walked out of the Queen Anne's County court defeated.

WJZ was there in late April when Animal Control officers and a team of horse rescuers raided Canterbury Farms in Centreville, where Parkinson was breeding Polish Arabian horses.

In all, 146 animals in poor physical health--at least six of them so bad they had to be immediately euthanized.

"All the animals needed hoof work," said Dave MacGlashen, Queen Anne's County Animal Control. "They needed dental care. They were severely malnourished, most of them."

MacGlashen runs Animal Control, which originally made a deal to allow Parkinson 30 days to get her horses in better condition. She argued in court that Animal Control reneged on that deal after only two weeks.

"It comes back to the welfare of the horses, and when we saw that not happening we couldn't afford to wait the additional two weeks and take the chance of maybe additional damages happening," MacGlashen said.

Days End Horse Rescue Farm in Howard County is working with the Humane Society of the United States and several foster farms to help rehabilitate all of the confiscated horses.

"Every horse is making progress," said Brooke Vrany, Days End Horse Rescue. "Certainly, some horses we have grave concerns for because they were in worse condition. The ones that were admitted into intensive care are doing well. Their conditions improving but still guarded."

Parkinson may still face criminal charges of animal neglect.

Days End Horse Rescue Farm is still seeking financial help to care for the horses.  For more information on how you can help, click here.

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