Racehorse breeder found guilty of animal cruelty

The verdict follows the seizing of 177 horses in a raid on Paragallo's upstate New York farm last April. Many of the horses were emaciated and had lice.

The trial did not involve a jury, and was held before Greene County Court Judge George J. Pulver Jr, in Greene County Court, in Catskill, 30km from Albany.

"The evidence is overwhelming that the horses were neglected," Greene County District Attorney Terry Wilhelm told Hudson-Catskill Newspapers. "Justice has been served."

Paragallo, 52, a Long Island resident, 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 at the time that he had not visited the farm in nine months.

Paragallo now faces a maximum fine of $33,000 ($1000 for each of the 33 counts) and up to two years in prison. He is out on bail of $5000 and is due back in court for sentencing on May 18.