Manhattan Horse Stable Files Lawsuit

JOLIET, IL - A business on South Cedar Road that breeds, trains, shows and sells Dutch Warm Blood horses has filed a civil lawsuit at the Will County Courthouse against a horse stable in Arcola, IL. The lawsuit against Marvin J. Otto and Double M Dutch Stables surrounds the deaths and illness of several mares affiliated with CZ Driving Horses in Manhattan. The local horse stable here in Will County is operated by Kazimierz Zubek, of the 32100 block of South Cedar Road.

Less than three years ago, CZ Driving Horses allowed the defendant to use a stallion named Ulandro for breeding. In turn, Otto would breed and board numerous mares free of charge for CZ.

Under the arrangement, Otto would get a fee for the sale or auction of any horses. The remaining profits would go to CZ Driving Horses in Manhattan.

On Nov. 17, 2014, 25 mares and one prized Dutch Harness stallion, Ulandro, were delivered to Otto's Double M Dutch Stables "for boarding and breeding," the lawsuit states. A new Amish-made horse carriage was delivered as well.

Then, something awful happened.

"While under the care of Otto and Double M, eleven of the twenty-five mares contracted salmonella and or ... worms," the lawsuit states. "Two foals born under the care of Otto and Double M died within months as a result of poor nutrition and complications from the overwhelming presence of salmonella and parasites in their intestines."

The Manhattan stable contends "the hay fed by Otto and Double M to the mares and foals was nutrient deficient."

In addition, several of CZ's horses were sold or auctioned while the horses were under Otto's care in Arcola, according to the plaintiffs.

"However, Otto and Double M never paid any of the agreed proceeds from the sales. In order to protect their lives and well-being, all of the horses were removed from Otto's and Double M's care and transported away on October 7-8, 2015," the lawsuit notes.

The lawsuit also accused Otto of damaging CZ's horse trailer and failing to return it in its original condition.

Otto and Double M are accused of breaching a contract, causing "direct, consequential and incidental damages in excess of $50,000, no part of which has been paid."

Main photo via Manassas Patch file images