Horse rescuer to be sentenced
Mona Kanciper, 48, who operates a horse farm at 15 South St. in Manorville, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty for euthanizing dogs improperly and without a veterinarian's license, the Suffolk SPCA said. (Aug. 26, 2010) Credit: Suffolk County SPCA
A Manorville horse rescuer is scheduled to be sentenced for child endangerment Tuesday in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead.
Mona Kanciper was acquitted in October of felony aggravated animal cruelty charges after a bench trial. She was convicted only of misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child for euthanizing a dog while a horse riding student was present.
The conviction carries a maximum sentence of 1 year in jail.
Her attorney, Paul Gianelli of Central Islip, said Monday he has asked County Court Judge James Hudson to throw out the conviction. Hudson is expected to rule Tuesday on the motion.
"She's upset about this entire case," Gianelli said of Kanciper, owner of Butler Farms and New York Horse Rescue. "She's upset about being convicted for giving an injection in front of a child."
Prosecutors had accused Kanciper of cruelty for allegedly euthanizing three dogs. Hudson, in his decision, said evidence indicated there was justification to do so.
