Poor shelter, medical care lead to 77 charges

A woman who allegedly neglected dozens of horses on her western Maryland farm was charged Friday (Dec. 22) with 73 misdemeanor counts of animal abuse and four felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

Defendant Barbara P. Reinken, 61, declined to comment on the charges, which came nearly three weeks after the Humane Society of Washington County and the county sheriff’s office carried out a search-and-seizure warrant at her farm near Sharpsburg, about 60 miles west of Baltimore. Reinken previously denied mistreating the animals.

Reinken’s lawyer, Edward N. Button, also declined to comment on the charges, which carry maximum penalties totaling 21 years in prison and $93,000 in fines