Garrett gives up seized horses

A judge Friday ordered an Afton man to give up all agricultural animals, including dozens of horses and ponies seized by authorities this month for suspected malnourishment and disease.

Tory Allen Garrett, 53, repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in recent weeks and said officials would not find sickly animals on his farm, but capitulated to evidence in court.

Two ponies from Garrett’s Waynesboro pasture have died this month. Most recently, a pony suffering from pneumonia and a heart murmur died in veterinary care — evidence enough, defense attorney Stephen Strosnider conceded, to prevent Garrett’s recovery of 40 other animals seized March 17 by Waynesboro police.

Police raided Garrett’s farm several days after authorities charged him with one count of animal cruelty for the death of another pony. Officials said they found horse skeletons on the property and the farm ill-equipped for the horses he kept. Garrett could face more criminal charges pending physical evaluation, said Waynesboro animal control officer Dee Price.

“He did the right thing today and relinquished ownership,” said Debbie Caywood, director of the Augusta Regional Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “After seeing his reaction the day we were there in the field, I’m really surprised he did turn over custody today. ... I thought we were in for a battle.”

The most recently deceased pony, “Hope,” rated a “1” on the Henneke Body Condition Scoring System, indicating a severely underweight animal, said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney David Ledbetter. The pony was unable to stand for most of its time at Mountain View Equine Hospital, where doctors built a custom sling to accommodate the abnormally small animal, veterinarian Scott Reiners said.

After the hearing, Garrett said he hopes the horses will find a good home.

“I don’t believe the general population was [sickly],” he said.

Among the seized animals, 11 more scored a body condition of “1,” and 24 scored “2” or “3,” Caywood said. Many of the mares are pregnant. Caywood said the next 30 days will be “critical” in monitoring and nursing the animals back to health.

Waynesboro District Court Judge William Heatwole also ordered Garrett to cover the costs of seizure, removal, feed and medical care, which could grow to thousands of dollars, authorities said. And the judge’s order ranges beyond Waynesboro.

Garrett said he has turned over all livestock to the SPCA.

Nelson County residents told The News Virginian that Garrett recently kept animals on property in Afton, but he said those animals are owned by renters.

“I do not have any other horses,” he said.

Waynesboro animal control officer Dee Price said more criminal charges are possible.

“This is just the first step ... in what’s to come,” she said.

Garrett is scheduled to appear April 20 in Waynesboro court on the animal cruelty charge.