Ryan
GOSHEN – Jeanne Ryan, the Goshen woman found guilty of 10 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals including the deaths of nine horses, was sentenced two years in the Orange County Jail.
Ryan was convicted by County Court Judge Robert Freehill of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals. She was sentenced to two years on each of the counts, but as per state law, the sentences will run concurrently.
Judge Freehill also issued an order with a conditional discharge on one of the felony counts which prohibits Ryan from owning, or being in possession of any animals for 15 years.
The district attorney also recommended that one of the equine rescue societies that took possession of the surviving horse receive restitution for expenses incurred for their care of the starving animal. A restitution hearing is scheduled for next month.
Ryan must also register with the Orange County Animal Abuse Registry, which will prevent her from owning animals in Orange County.
On July 29, 2017 investigators from the Hudson Valley SPCA, with assistance from the Goshen Town Police Department, executed a search warrant at the barn located at Ryan’s residence in Goshen. Inside they discovered the severely decomposed remains of five horses, as well as a severely emaciated, though live, horse.
She was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Goshen Town Court for one misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty.
A second search warrant was executed at her farm by Goshen Police, the DA’s office, state Department of Taxation and Finance and Hudson Valley SPCA. Among the items recovered was Ryan’s cellphone. The results of that search and messages between Ryan and her son pertaining to the care of the horses were introduced into evidence at trial.
