A Canadian man, Frederick Bourgault, 27, was found guilty in Orange County Court on Monday, April 7th, for his involvement in the 2023 death of a horse named “Finish Line.” The incident occurred at the Pine Bush Training Facility in the Town of Crawford, as announced by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Evidence presented by prosecutors revealed that Bourgault struck “Finish Line” with a hard object, inflicting a linear depressed skull fracture. The severity of the injury necessitated the horse’s euthanasia.
Following a trial, Bourgault was convicted of second-degree criminal mischief and felony interference with or injury to certain domestic animals, a violation of New York’s Agriculture and Markets Law.
The conviction was the culmination of an extensive investigation conducted by the New York State Police and the New York State Gaming Commission, with crucial support from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation included the exhumation of the horse’s remains, which were subsequently examined by specialists at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler stated on Monday, “The beautiful horse that was the victim of this defendant’s senseless act of violence deserved the justice that was delivered on his behalf.”
Bourgault is scheduled to receive his sentence on Monday, July 7th.
