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i <br /> earlier that morning by Dr. Jonathan Leach, DVM. Officer Perry stated that Dr. Ernst <br /> examined the body of the horse and noted that the left side of the head was badly swollen, <br /> with a yellowish/green discharge emanating from the horse's nostrils. The head of the horse <br /> was taken for testing of communicable diseases (West Dile virus, EEE, and rabies)with <br /> negative results. <br /> Officer Perry summarized his remarks by stating that in his opinion, the result of Guthrie's <br /> worsening condition was negligence, but not intentional negligence, on the part of Ms. <br /> Stastny, due to her lack of knowledge and inexperience in the proper care and feeding of <br /> horses. <br /> Deborah Bell introduced herself to the Board as manager of the stable in East Bridgewater <br /> that regularly rehabilitates horses, stating that she had rescued Guthrie from a horse auction. <br /> . Bell stated that at the time Ms. Stastny adopted Guthrie, the horse had recuperated and <br /> was in good health. {Ills. Bell stated that an email had been sent to Sandra Stastny at the <br /> time of her adoption of Guthrie in June, 2010 regarding the details of proper food a nd food <br /> preparation for the horse, which !Ills. Stastny stated she never received. <br /> Walter Silva, an employee at the East Bridgewater stable, introduced himself to the Board, <br /> and stated that Guthrie had put on weight during his stay at the East Bridgewater stable, and <br /> was in very good health at the time he was adopted by Ms. Stastny in June 2010. Mr. Silva <br /> stated that he visited Guthrie five weeks after Illi . Stastny had adopted the horse, and <br /> learned that [Ills. Stastny was giving the.horse half the amount of feed that was required for a <br /> horse of Guthrie's age and health. - illllr. Silva stated that he said nothing to Ms. Stastny but <br /> reported the information to one of the supervisors at the East Bridgewater stable. <br /> J acq uel1 ne Brito, Vetednarian Doctor who worked-with Guthrie at the rehabilitation stables <br /> in East Bridgewater, introduced herself to the Board. She reported that the horse was on <br /> special food diet for a horse his age, from the time he arrived at the stables. According to <br /> Ms. Stastny, information about special feeding for Guthrie was not conveyed to her. <br /> Dr. Ernst, a graduate of Tufts Veterinary School, introduced himself to the Board. Dr. <br /> Ernst's evaluation of the horse's condition at that time was that there was gross infection of <br /> tissue, that the horse had been unable to swallow his feed, infection had occurred, and the <br /> horse probably had choked to death. Dr. Ernst stated that the horse was emaciated, his feet <br /> were poorly cared for and the condition of the horse was abominable. Dr. Ernst's opinion <br /> was that the animal had not been properly cared for. <br /> Sandra Stastny introduced herself to the Board. Ms. Stastny stated that she had followed <br /> the instructions given to her from the East Bridgewater stables at the time she adopted <br /> Guthrie, regarding the proper care and feeding of Guthrie, including having provided a salt <br /> lick for the summer, water buckets both inside and outside his stable, and having made an <br /> effort to purchase the recommended type of grain and hay for his feed. <br /> As Guthrie's condition worsened over the summer, !Ills. Stastny stated that she was in <br /> constant touch with Veterinarian Dr. Leach, who-was unable to diagnose the medicaI <br /> problem with Guthrie. Ms. Stastny stated that ultimately, Dr. Leach recommended either <br /> sending Guthrie to Tufts Veterinary Clinic for evaluation, or euthani ation, and because III1s. <br /> Stastny could not afford the cost of the Tufts Clinic, she opted for euthani ation. <br /> 4 <br />