top of page

ALL POSTS

Search

MARGARET FRANCES HORNBERGER and SAMUEL AARON RICHARDS accused of leaving animals in cages to die

Updated: Oct 19, 2022

- Florida, USA -


The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that an animal cruelty investigation conducted by Sgt. Bailey, Sgt. Proudfit, Cpl. Buck, and Det. Friend, led them to a property on 8789 SW Hampshire Avenue in Arcadia.


Inside the residence, officers found multiple deceased animals along with animals who were malnourished and some who later “needed to be euthanized,” stated the release.


Officers also found multiple bags of animal food and referring to 21-years-old SAMUEL AARON RICHARDS and 21-years-old MARGARET FRANCES HORNBERGER (both pictured), the sheriff’s office said: “…but these two individuals decided to leave the animals in their cages and not feed them.”


The sheriff’s office said the residence was in complete disarray and was littered with animal feces and urine.


HORNBERGER and RICHARDS were arrested on Thursday, October 13, 2022, and each charged with eight counts of keeping animals in an enclosure without exercise or air, and two counts of animal cruelty and causing torment or death to an animal.


The pair were booked into the DeSoto County Jail on $8,000 total bond.

Online arrest records show that HORNBERGER was released while RICHARDS is still in custody.


Court records show that both HORNBERGER and RICHARDS are scheduled to be arraigned on November 28, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Don Thomas Hall.


DeSoto County Animal Control took custody of the surviving animals who will be in their care until they have been medically cleared.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.




Additional Source:




Many dead animals found on an Erie County farm and more than two hundred live ones removed

Updated: Feb 18, 2023

- Pennsylvania, USA -



~ Update: February 18, 2023


On Friday, February 10, 2023, GREGORY SCOTT HAVICAN (pictured), appeared before Magisterial District Judge Brian McGowan for a preliminary hearing in which 27 of the 163 charges were dismissed.


HAVICAN was held for court on:


65 summary counts of neglect of animal shelter/protection.

63 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals causing serious bodily injury or death; 15 other counts were dismissed.

8 misdemeanor counts of neglect of animal veterinary care; 11 other counts were dismissed.

1 felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals torture was dismissed.


No new court date has been set at this time.





~ Update: November 29, 2022


Erie News Now reports that in connection with this case, Pennsylvania State Police have arrested 49-years-old GREGORY SCOTT HAVICAN, owner of Liz and George Farm.


HAVICAN, of Erie, is being charged with the following:


78 Felony Counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals causing serious Bodily Injury or Death.

65 Summary Counts of Neglect of Animals for Shelter/Protection.

19 Misdemeanor Counts of Misdemeanor Neglect of Animals for Veterinary Car.

1 Felony Count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals Torture.


HAVICAN’s preliminary hearing is set to take place on December 7, 2022, 10:45 a.m.

His bail is currently set at $150,000.





~ Original story:


On Saturday, October 8, 2022, Troopers with the Pennsylvania State Police began investigating animal cruelty allegations after receiving video showing the living conditions of numerous animals at Liz and George Farm on 7671 Edinboro Road in Summit Township.


While walking through the property, police found a burn pile with the remains of numerous dead animals.


Troopers then obtained a search warrant and went back to the farm to remove more than two hundred animals, including cats, chickens, dogs, ducks, geese, pigeons, and pigs.


The ANNA Shelter, who assisted police, wrote in a Facebook post that they seized two hundred and twenty-three animals and specified that among them were fifty-seven dogs, most of them puppies. The nonprofit said: “ALL OF THE ANIMALS are now safe with us and are receiving the necessary medical care under by our wonderful veterinarians.”


Ms. Ruth Thompson, founder and director of ANNA Shelter, told WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com: “It’s been in the works for a long time. We’ve had numerous complaints about this place, but never had the actual evidence that we got on Saturday afternoon. So that was really the catalyst, that was what we needed to get definitive proof that this was going on there.”


State Police have not filed any charges at this time. The investigation is open and ongoing.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



Pictures shared from ANNA Shelter.



Additional Source:




KATHERINA L. CASSATA arrested – Dead and malnourished animals found on her farm

- New York, USA -


Otsego County Sheriff Richard J. Devlin, Jr. announced the arrest of 42-years-old KATHERINA L. CASSATA (pictured), who is now facing nine counts of animal cruelty under New York’s agriculture and markets law.


In a news release Sheriff Devlin said that the arrest is the result of a search warrant executed on September 16, 2022, on a farm in the Town of Butternuts.


An investigation was launched after receiving reports about deceased and maltreated and malnourished animals on the farm.


According to the release, “Assistance for the animals through various agencies to include to Susquehanna SPCA were offered to the defendant over the course of several months in an attempt for the defendant to remedy the concerns on her own.”


On September 12, 2022, the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint regarding a deceased alpaca on the property. This led to the execution of the aforementioned search warrant, and officials removed nineteen horses, two pigs, a cat, a donkey, and a llama.

Officials also found the deceased alpaca.


The animals who were removed from the farm were evaluated by two different veterinarians.


Sheriff Devlin said that based on the veterinary reports and the conditions of the farm, CASSATA was arrested on September 20, 2022, and charged with nine counts of overdriving/abuse of animals/failure to provide sustenance.


CASSATA, of Gilbertsville, was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Butternuts Court at a later date.


The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Susquehanna SPCA, Otsego County Office of Emergency Services and private citizens.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



CASSATA’s booking photograph provided by the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office.



Additional Source:




Subscribe Form

© 2025 Voice For Us

Privacy Policy

FAQ

bottom of page