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Photos: 86-Yr-Old Man Accused Of Dragging Horse Tied To Back Of His Truck


By

Jen Chung

Published Apr 24, 2012

Modified Apr 24, 2012


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By

Jen Chung

Published Apr 24, 2012

Modified Apr 24, 2012


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Connecticut State Police are investigating an incident where a horse was tied to the back of a pickup truck—and then the 86-year-old owner started the engine and dragged the poor animal. A concerned neighbor took photographs and screamed to Culver Modisette, "Stop, you're killing your horse, cut the rope!"

According to WFSB, neighbor Helen Kelley was distressed by the scene in Stafford Springs and took "several photographs appearing to show the horse stumbling and then falling to its side on the ground." Modisette claims the horse is fine and that she only fell to the ground. He explained that the horse had been in heat and threw him earlier, "What else was I going to do? I've got to bring her down, I can't leave her up there.... I was just trying to get her down in her stable for her breakfast and apples and so forth. No malicious intent." But Kelly said, "Really, he could've broken her neck. It was a sad thing to watch."

And in remarks today, Modisette doubled down with his defense, "My 86 year old heart was complaining and I needed another method of leading her. I recalled photos of horses, tied to the rear of wagons, in past years, a seemingly normal occurrence. It seemed a logical thing to do, particularly as the Kelley's failed to offer any assistance." Another neighbor told NBC Connecticut that the Kelleys were meddling, "It's very apparent that someone is trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill and all of this could have been avoided if they brought the horse home they're experienced horse people."

The State Police say a veterinarian only found minor skin wounds on the horse.

Tagged

animal cruelty

connecticut

culver modisette

horse


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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