A 27-year-old man has been arrested and charged after a three-month investigation into abusive training
practices.
Mid-Hudson News reported on Friday, October 15 that Dean Eckley of Loda, Illinois has been charged with animal cruelty for allegedly overdriving a horse he was training at the Mount Hope Training Facility.
The report indicates that Eckley overdrove the horse and crashed it into a barn door. The report also states that he proceeded to strike the horse unmercifully until it 'pled while it was unable to get up.'
NYSRWB Yanks Eckley's License
On Monday, October 18, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board announced that it had summarily suspended the occupational license of Dean Eckley, an owner/trainer that has been charged with beating a horse in Orange County, New York.
Eckley, 27, of Loda, Illinois, was arrested on October 8 by the Mount Hope Police Department in Orange County on a charge of cruelty to animals after he allegedly drove a horse into a barn door at Mount Hope Training Facility and then whipped the horse.
After learning of the alleged incident, the NYSRWB took swift action to summarily suspend Eckley’s owner/driver license which had allowed him to compete in harness racing in New York.
The board’s action led to the scratching of three Eckley-trained horses that had been entered to race at Yonkers Raceway on Monday, October 18, 2010, said NYSRWB Chairman John D. Sabini. Mr. Eckley has also trained horses that have competed at Saratoga Raceway and Monticello Raceway.
“This board has zero tolerance for equine abuse or animal cruelty,” Sabini said. “We showed that when we removed prominent trainer Ernest Paragallo from thoroughbred racing and we showed it again today by taking immediate action against Mr. Eckley.”
Chairman Sabini thanked the Hudson Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Mount Hope Police Department and all those who cooperated with the investigation leading to the arrest.
(With files from NYSRWB and Mid-Hudson News)
Did any of you people that
Did any of you people that are so very willing to post your opinions on this site witness what happened?? Or is this another case of "I heard it from so and so" I would be ashamed @ posting something I knew nothing about. Last I knew, defamation of character is also illegal but that doesn't stop from doing it!!!!!!
It is the most sickening
It is the most sickening situation when it comes to cruelty to life of any kind. Those responsible should not be allowed the caretaking of any animal or human. So be it.
To me it's cut and dry. If
To me it's cut and dry. If you can do what this guy did to an animal, imagine the spouse and children he has or may have 1 day. They are subject to the same type of treatment. What a loser !!!
Lets hope he gets punished
Lets hope he gets punished severely by the Illinois jurisdiction.
Hhmmm I wonder what the ORC would do about this....
we may find out soon enough!!!!
And who's taking care of the
And who's taking care of the horse???
I understand that this "so called" trainer had many horses under "his care", based on the investigation... how were the other ones treated??? I'm thrilled that the law is now "taking care" of this guy but my main concern is for the horses, who is looking after the injured horse and all the others unlucky ones??? Have they been removed from his barn??? Where were the ownners while this was going on???
In a perfect world the horse
In a perfect world the horse and trainer changes positions until the tranier cries and begs to get up.
Time behind bars and lifetime suspensions. He should be barred from owning animals of any kind.
That is so Brutal!! I have
That is so Brutal!! I have been a owner for a long time and I can't believe how brave this guy is.This is the problem with these want to be trainers. I think this guy should be barred for life.Ther are so many classy guys in this industry and this guy is certainly not. I feel sick to my stomach!!
William D There are a lot of
William D
There are a lot of people like this around. Because they have no training ability, or ability to hang a Horse up properly so that it is manageable, They take out their frustration over their own shortcomings on the animal. Really sorry to hear this. Certain horses must be disciplined at times, I would think everyone agrees with this, but it should be done humanely and with all consideration to the animals well being.
His career should be over.
His career should be over. No if and or buts.
Punishment MUST fit the
Punishment MUST fit the crime..A life suspension and having no contact with any animals of any kind would still be too soft. Obviously jail time would also be appropriate as well as a stiff fine and 2 years of community work! Did I leave anything out ..if so ..give him that also. Disgusting!!!!!
Unfortunately there is
Unfortunately there is always going to be a certain percentage of bad people in all professions wether it is horse racing or more mainstream ways of making a living. When it comes to animal cruelty the court system is way to soft, the penalties do not fit the crime. We all know the courts are not tough enough but there is no reason the race game cannot send a strong message that animal cruelty is unacceptable and ban this person for life.
There is no penalty large
There is no penalty large enough or suspension long enough for this kind of behaviour. He should get the same treatment he gave the poor defenceless horse. This treatment is totally sickening and certainly a far cry from training.
Let's hope that the
Let's hope that the authorities come down real hard on this person and that he never gets the opportunity to look after a horse in any way ever again! People like this are a huge detriment to our industry but more importantly, they are abusive people who don't deserve to be in the care and control of horses at all. Thank goodness some good person or people must have reported him.
Thank god someone cared
Thank god someone cared enough to report the cruelty and he is now charged with a 'misdemeanor'. I would like to know will he also be banned for life from owning and training horses? People like him we don't need to be associated with and the thoughts of him being able to continue to traumatize horses to make a living makes me sick.
He deserves the maximum
He deserves the maximum penalty. This is uncalled for and is giving the sport a bad name.