Condition of horse, dog bring charges
By EMILY SCOTT, For The Weirton Daily TimesNEW CUMBERLAND - The Hancock County Sheriff's Office has taken Fernando Mastrantoni, 44, of Weirton, into custody because of the condition of two animals on the man's farm.
Sheriff Mike White said Mastrantoni has been charged with two counts of cruelty to animals following an investigation by the Hancock County Dog Warden.
White said Mastrantoni neglected to get medical care for his horse, which has a large open wound on its right upper shoulder. Veterinarians had to cut away a large area of dead flesh from the horse, according to reports. White said the animal may not recover from his injuries.
"It's just a big raw area now," White said of the wound. "There's a good chance it might not be OK. It's in pretty bad shape."
As to how the horse became wounded, White said, "We don't know if (the owner) inflicted it," or if it was caused by another animal."
Authorities also removed a dog from Mastrantoni's property. White said the dog had suffered sores on its neck because it was being chained up with a lock chain and no collar. The dog also had no free access to food or water. White said there was a five-gallon container of water nearby, but the water was muddy and the dog is not tall enough to reach it.
White said the dog should recover fully from its injuries.
The horse, an older palomino mare, is currently at a veterinary clinic in Pennsylvania, and the dog, a collie mix, is being housed at the Hancock County Animal Shelter.
White said the dog warden's office had received several complaints from neighbors and conducted an investigation, which resulted in a search warrant. Mastrantoni has several other animals on his property, including horses, dogs, and cattle. White said his office will be returning to the property with a veterinarian to check the condition of the other animals to determine whether they have been properly cared for.
White said Mastrantoni previously has been charged on more than one occasion with allowing his cattle to run loose.
Mastrantoni, who was unable to post bond, remains in custody at Northern Regional Jail. The other animals on his farm are in the custody of Mastrantoni's wife.
(Scott can be contacted at escott@reviewonline.com)
