The new owner of Calverton farm purchased at a foreclosure sale was startled to find 15 apparently abandoned horses on the property after he took possession of the 134-acre site Tuesday.
David DeRosa called Riverhead Town Police when he made the discovery shortly after noon. He then went to work filling containers of water for the horses, some of whom appeared emaciated.
The horses immediately came trotting over to him when they saw water.
Police called in the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The farm, located on Middle Country Road in Calverton, was the same site from which the SCPA seized two dozen horses and ponies, along with numerous goats, a pig and a sheep in May 2011. At that time, SCPA had been tipped off to the animals by a court-appointed receiver in the foreclosure action.
Suffolk SCPA Chief Roy Gross said today his agency had no information as to the owner of the horses DeRosa discovered today.
SCPA officer Regina Benfante was on the scene this afternoon to commence an investigation.
“From the amount of manure, it looks like these horses have been out here all winter,” Benfante said. She speculated that the horses had been living off the grass in the field and whatever water they could find. “I’ve never seen horses go after water like that,” Benfante said.
Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Gianna Volpe
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