Horses Returned To Oakland County Farm Owner After Seizure, No Charges To Be Filed

MILFORD, MI — Prosecutors will not file charges against the owner of an Oakland County trail riding company after 38 horses were taken from the property last month.

Oakland County animal control officers seized the horses from the High Vibes Trail Rides in Milford on Aug. 13 after officials said they received complaints about inappropriate treatment and inadequate care of the horses.

High Vibe owner Lucille Ptasznik demanded the horses be returned to her in a lawsuit, which called the harsh treatment claims bogus.

Ptasznik's attorney Todd Flood said she maintained the horses were well cared for, adding county officials inspected the horses on July 16 and gave them a clean bill of health.

"Why wasn't a charge issued? Answer: No law was broken. That's as simple as that," Flood said.

On Wednesday, Oakland County officials returned the horses after they "determined that no criminal charges should be authorized at this time."

Veterinary records obtained by WDIV showed a veterinarian who examined the horses after they were seized found some of the horses were underweight, had gaps in deworming and showed saddle fit injuries.

WXYZ reports one of the seized horses was euthanized after experiencing colic. Ptasznik told the news station that county officials did not tell her.

"We’ve had two horses colic, and we saved both of them. We didn’t have to put those horses down," she said.

Ptasznik said veterinarians would examine each horse to determine if any treatment is needed before she resumes trail rides and other community events.

Flood said his team will continue looking into the case and has not ruled out further legal action.