Thoroughbred breeder indicted on cruelty charges

The charges followed the seizure of 177 horses, many of whom were malnourished, from a farm in Green County, south of Albany, in April.

The charges faced by 51-year-old are misdemeanours which carry a penalty of a year in jail. He will be arraigned in county court on August 18.

The grand jury added 13 more counts of animal cruelty to the 22 counts he faced in the Coxsackie Town Court.

Paragallo had blamed mismanagement for the lack of feed given to the horses. He said the amount of winter feed had been miscalculated, but there had been no deliberate neglect or abuse. He told media in April he had not visited the farm in nine months.

New York's Racing and Wagering Board also conducted an inquiry, exploring, among other things, the operation of Paraneck Stable and questions relating to the ownership of its horses.

Paraneck Stable was reportedly founded by Paragallo but turned over to other family members four years after the state revoked his owner's license.