Ranch Owner Faces 21 Counts Of Animal Cruelty
- Details
- Created on Monday, 05 May 2014 18:07
- Written by Tyler Dumont
LYNDONVILLE - A Northeast Kingdom ranch owner who police say failed to properly care for nearly two dozen horses told a Caledonia judge Monday that he is facing many more charges than he expected.
Bruce Bona, 64, of 792 Back Center Road in Lyndonville, is facing 21 counts of animal cruelty charges.
Standing before a judge without an attorney by his side at Caledonia Superior Court today, Bona asked for more time to review his charges. He was granted an extension under Vermont's "24-hour rule".
"I was given a summons to come here for what I thought was one charge and now I find that it's been upgraded to twenty-one," Bona said to Judge Robert Bent. "So what I'd like to do is get a little more time to look it over and think about what I want to do."
According to court documents, investigators first visited the Bona Ranch in early February after receiving an anonymous complaint about "improper care and feeding" of the horses.
Deputy Adam Bergeron of the Caledonia County Sheriff's Office, who wrote that he played hockey with Bona's son in his affidavit, said during his visit he saw horses that "were all emaciated as one could clearly see ribs showing and the hind quarters were pronounced, indicating lack of feed."
Bona, who told police he did his own veterinarian work, said "the horses were all thin because they don't get enough water in the winter," Bergeron wrote.
During a search executed at the ranch on March 1, Bona gave up custody to all of the living 21 horses. As humane society volunteers were moving them to area foster farms, police found 3 additional dead horses that had been covered with debris, including grain bags, near a quonset hut.
Police said Bona told humane society volunteers that another horse was also dead and had fallen into the Passumpsic River. The total number of dead horses found at the ranch is not yet clear.
In an earlier visit to the ranch, Bergeron said he saw three horses in the barn that had "visible skin problems and sores" and others standing in 18"-24" of horse feces.
When questioned about the condition of the animals, Bona reportedly told police "the animals appeared in fine shape" and that "he has been in the horse industry for over 40 years."
Bona also told police he suffered a heart attack last year and that it has prevented him from being as active in caring for his animals.
Deputy Bergeron wrote that Bona agreed to relinquish custody of some of the horses in an attempt to negotiate a plan so that he could avoid going to court. But, that's where he'll be again tomorrow morning - as ordered by the court.
Under conditions of his release, he cannot possess or care for any animals and he must show up at court when scheduled.
Bona's wife, Shari, has not been charged - but police said she was also aware of the needs of the horses.
Bruce Bona's father, Fred, is the late owner of the White Market grocery chain. His brother, Brian, now manages the store.
Follow Tyler Dumont on Twitter @VCCJ_Tyler.
News 7 reporter Cody Gage contributed to this story. He can be followed on Twitter @VCCJ_Cody.