By LOHR McKINSTRY
Staff Writer
TICONDEROGA — Police here are looking for whoever shot and wounded three horses at local farms.
Ticonderoga Town Police Chief Mark Johns said Thursday they believe the same person is responsible.
"There are a total of three horses that have suffered gunshot wounds. All three horses are still alive and are being treated by veterinarians."
The first animal shot was a Belgian draft horse at the farm of Bruce E. Crammond, 62, of Race Track Road, Ticonderoga.
Unrelated to the shooting, Crammond was cited for not taking proper care of that horse. He was issued an appearance ticket for misdemeanor failure to provide proper sustenance for an animal, a violation of the State Agriculture and Markets Law.
Crammond has pleaded not guilty in Ticonderoga Town Court, and the prosecution is proceeding, Johns said.
He said police are not releasing the names of the other owners whose horses were shot, but he said all live in the same section of town.
"It's an active investigation."
Police allegedly found the 20-year-old horse at the Crammond farm on May 19 with a 3-inch-diameter bullet wound in the withers section of its neck.
Johns said the horse "was in an emaciated condition" and was 600 pounds underweight, according to a veterinarian called to treat the animal. That prompted the charge of failure to provide proper sustenance.
The animal was taken to Crane Mountain Valley Horse Rescue in Westport, where it is being cared for.
Johns said that anyone with information about the horse shootings should call Ticonderoga Police at 585-2205.
E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
