Verdict expected in NY thoroughbred breeder’s trial on animal cruelty charges

Verdict expected in NY horse breeder cruelty trial

CATSKILL, N.Y. — A judge is set to announce a verdict in the nonjury trial of a prominent New York thoroughbred breeder and trainer charged with mistreating dozens of horses.

Ernie Paragallo is due in Greene County Court on Wednesday morning for the ruling.

The 52-year-old Long Island resident was charged with 34 counts of animal cruelty after state police and animal welfare investigators raided the 500-acre farm in Coxsackie (kuk-SAHK’-ee) in April and seized 177 horses.

Paragallo testified last week that he didn’t know some of the horses weren’t being fed enough.

Paragallo’s racing license is currently suspended. He has started more than 4,500 horses and earned more than $20 million in purses.