ASCENSION PARISH — One of the owners of the three horses stolen from Crissman Arabians along La. 73 and Henry Rd. in Prairieville last month is speaking out about what they call ‘horrific’ abuse the horses endured.
Shannon McNulty Oremland says that Romeo, an older gray Arabian gelding, was so badly abused that veterinarians couldn’t do much for him.
“My childhood horse and my sister’s horse had to be euthanized due the injuries he sustained,” Oremland said in a Facebook video. “He was extremely abused, and he could not survive that abuse.”
Oremland shared graphic photos showing Romeo’s hoof raw and exposed. The injury was too much for the horse to endure.
“Someone purposely inflicted pain on something defenseless,” Oremland’s sister said in a letter posted online. “He was a loving animal with an ending far too cruel. It’s a constant cycle of sadness, confusion and disbelief.”
Her sister, who is now 25, started riding Romeo when she was 14. She says her and Romeo were the same age.
She wrote that they retired Romeo when they were both 17.
New arrests in the case
On Friday, the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed a second arrest in connection with the three horses stolen from Prairieville.
Treyvon Covington, 24, turned himself in and admitted his involvement in the theft, deputies said.
He’s been charged with five counts of simple burglary, three counts of theft of livestock, attempted theft of livestock, felony theft over $25,000, felony property damage, three counts of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, criminal trespassing and animal cruelty.
“There needs to be justice for the animals stolen away from their homes and put in harm’s way – and in Romeo’s case, left to die,” Oremland’s sister posted. “There needs to be justice for Romeo.”
Juvenile suspects
Two juveniles have also been charged in the case, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s deputies say.
They’ve been charged with three counts of theft of livestock, damage to property, five counts of burglary and felony theft. Detectives say they have identified a third juvenile suspect and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Since the suspects are juveniles, their identities have not been made public.
Anyone with information that could help investigators can call Crime Stoppers at 225-344-STOP. You can also anonymously leave a tip online or by texting 847411.
Horse theft ring?
The three horses stolen from Ascension Parish were recovered from a home on Duke St. in Baton Rouge. The horses were discovered along with other horses that were stolen from Brusly.
Detectives with the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office say they received a tip that the horses stolen from Brusly were in Baton Rouge. When detectives arrived at the home, they observed the stolen horses in the yard, a news release said.
Romeo and two other horses were stolen from Prairieville on February 24.
Rhett, an older bay tall gelding half-Saddlebred half-Arabian, and Cajeta, a flaxen chestnut Arabian mare, were also taken. Those horses were not as badly injured as Romeo.
A photo of Rhett — an older bay tall gelding half-Saddlebred half-Arabian horse stolen in Prairieville (Source: Facebook) 
A photo of Romeo — an older gray Arabian gelding all four shod stolen in Prairieville (Source: Facebook) 
A photo of Cajeta — a flaxen chestnut Arabian mare with a braided mane front shod stolen in Prairieville (Source: Facebook)
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