32 Abused Horses and Animals Awarded New Home

EAST HAMPTON, CT - The 32 abused and neglected horses and other animals seized from Fairy Tail Equine in East Hampton have been awarded to the state Department of Agriculture.

Hartford Superior Court Judge Nina Elgo made the decision earlier this week. In addition to the horses, also removed from facility were two dogs, 19 rabbits and 78 chickens, according to officials.

Fairy Tail Equine owners Thomas Olajos, 36, and his wife Melanie Olajos, 37, have each been charged with 35 counts of cruelty to animals, 32 counts for each of the horses seized and three counts stemming from the alleged mistreatment of the dogs, rabbits and chickens.

The horses, mainly Friesians, Andalusians and Gypsy Vanners, are being cared for at the department’s large animal rehabilitation facility in Niantic. The other animals are being cared for at various municipal shelters throughout the state, and officials are working to "determine what steps will be taken to find new homes for the animals."

A GoFundMe crowdfunding page has been established, and more than $17,000 toward a goal of $20,000 has been raised. Donations also can be made to a state page. Donations of feed, equipment or supplies cannot be accepted because the animals require special nutritional and dietary items and other equipment. So officials request that donations be made to the web pages.

"[The Olajos] arrest came after an investigation that found they failed to provide proper food, water, veterinary care and shelter to the animals, despite the efforts of state animal control officers to allow the couple to voluntarily improve the animals’ treatment," said the agricultural department in a statement. "In court on Tuesday, an attorney for the Olajos said while they were 'cash-strapped' and unable to properly care for the animals, their emotional attachment to the animals prevented them from selling or otherwise dispersing them to others."

Photo: One of the rescued horses recently being treated by equine veterinarian Dr. Thor Hyyppa in Niantic. Photo credit: Connecticut Department of Agriculture/Steve Jensen