SPCA seizes eight horses, four charged

FRANKLINVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) - Several Cattaraugus County residents are under arrest, accused of trying to block an animal cruelty investigation.

Sheriff's deputies and the SPCA had come to a farm on Hilltop Lane in Franklinville last Saturday to look into accusations horses were mistreated. Deputies say one suspect untied a horse, and another rode away on a horse to keep it from being seized. Two others are accused of resisting arrest. All four were arrested, and eight horses were seized.

Deputy Eric Butler said, "The SPCA found sufficient evidence to levy the charge of failure to provide proper sustenance to the horses. That's a charge that they levied."

The suspects are identified as Tanya Wooden, Randy Caswell, Jillian Caswell, and Deborah Caswell. Sheriff's investigators have only charged one man with animal cruelty. All of the suspects are out on bail.