The trial of Thoroughbred owner and breeder Ernie Paragallo on animal cruelty charges began Feb. 23 in Greene County Court in Catskill, N.Y., about 20 miles south of Albany.

According to the Associated Press, Paragallo faces up to two years in jail and $35,000 fines if found guilty of the misdemeanor charges in the non-jury trial.

Paragallo was indicted Aug. 6, 2009, on 35 counts of animal cruelty as a result of an April 2009 raid on his Center Brook Farm by New York State Police and animal protection officers from the Columbia-Greene County Humane Society. Paragallo denied that the horses had been abused.

Paragallo’s license to race was suspended by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board following the raid and most of his horses were turned over to equine relief organizations