Charged horse farm owner sues Suffolk SPCA
Mona Kanciper, 48, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty for euthanizing dogs improperly and without a veterinarian's license, the Suffolk County SPCA said. (Aug. 26, 2010) Credit: Suffolk County SPCA
A Manorville horse farm owner who faces animal cruelty charges filed a $25 million lawsuit against Suffolk's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and others, claiming the case they brought was rife with "fraud and misrepresentations" that resulted in "intentional infliction of emotional distress."
Mona Kanciper's lawsuit names Suffolk SPCA Chief Roy Gross as a defendant as well as Suffolk SPCA employees and others who she said made false statements about New York Horse Rescue and Butler Farm. The farm is located in Manorville and was run by Kanciper and her husband, Judson Butler, who died in 2009 before the charges were filed.
The agency began its yearlong investigation of the farm on allegations of cruelty to horses, but no such charges were filed. Instead, Kanciper is charged with animal cruelty for euthanizing three dogs improperly and without a veterinarian's license.
She was arrested in August 2010 and prosecutors also charged her with endangering the welfare of children by destroying at least one animal in the presence of two minors. Kanciper denied the criminal charges and says the probe was a "witch hunt."
Gross declined to comment on the matter Monday.
"Plaintiffs' property and businesses have been damaged, plaintiffs' reputation and livelihood have been irreparably harmed, Ms. Kanciper has been forced to defend herself in a baseless criminal action, and has been subject to, among other things, shame, aversion and ridicule," court papers say.
Suffolk authorities said Kanciper choked one dog to death when euthanasia drugs failed, and that she killed two others with the drugs despite not having a license to do so.
During the Suffolk SPCA's investigation, though, Butler, a veterinarian, told an officer that he had authorized the euthanasia, the lawsuit said. It added that the legal battles have virtually shut down a firm once known as a respected home for horses rescued from slaughter and made available for adoption. The criminal case is due in court Sept. 22.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 25: Wrestling and hockey state championships On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay recap all the state wrestling action from Albany this past weekend, plus Jared Valluzzi has the ice hockey championship results from Binghamton.
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