A Telford woman is facing charges after a Bucks County animal welfare agency alleges she ignored orders to provide proper shelter and veterinary care.
Heather Baum, 46, was charged with three summary counts of animal neglect last month, according to the Bucks County SPCA. She had no attorney representation listed on the docket, which stated the court was awaiting a plea.
Autopsy results are also pending for a mini horse found dead on the property, but it was not immediately clear Thursday if those results could result in additional criminal charges.
Bucks County SPCA recently rescued a horse named Wyatt and four goats from a property in West Rockhill Township.
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Humane officers had been to the West Rockhill property previously and ordered Baum make corrections to ensure her two horses and four goats were living in safe conditions, according to the SPCA.
A local animal control officer also cited Baum in September with summary neglect for failing to provide her animals proper food and water, according to the court docket.
SPCA officers made follow-up visits to the property in December, and learned about the death of the horse. They obtained a warrant to remove the remaining animals, who lived unsheltered and in unsanitary conditions, the agency alleges.
The goats are receiving medical treatment and they remain in the SPCA’s care. When they recover, they will be available for adoption.
Also rescued was an 8-year-old quarter horse named Wyatt, who had largely gone unhandled, the release said. Once medical staff confirmed that Wyatt was in good condition, the SPCA coordinated placement for him with the Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Maryland.
Wyatt made the trip south on Jan. 12 and he’s settling in well, the release said.
Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Goats, horse removed from Bucks County owner after warnings ignored