Horses, Goats – Including Those Seized From a Meriden Home – Will Be Evacuated to Safe Haven

The state is evacuating 16 horses and two goats – including some – from the Second Chance Barn in Niantic in advance of Hurricane Irene, which is expected to hit the state Sunday.

The animals, all of which are at the Second Chance Barn after being seized in animal cruelty cases, will be moved inland today for their safety. State officials said they could not disclose the location of that inland site because of security reasons.

State animal control officers confirmed that some of the animals being moved are from the May 13, 2011 seizure of 11 horses and an array of small animals from . The state took the animals from Bilger Farm and the home of Maureen Kenney, alleging that they were starved and lice-riddled due to neglect. Kenney was subsequently on July 25.

The Second Chance Barn is operated jointly by the state’s Department of Agriculture and Department of Correction on the ground’s of the DOC’s York Correctional Institution in Niantic and cared for by prison inmates under the supervision of the state agriculture officials.

“With the potential threat that this hurricane poses, it is appropriate for their safety, that we put these animals as far out of harm’s way as is possible,” said Kevin Gause, the warden of York Correctional.

“Since 2003, the Second Chance Barn has provided a safe haven and recuperative journey for more than 180 horses.  The success of the program has only been possible because of the commitment and cooperation of the Department of Corrections and its staff at Niantic,” said Dr. Bruce Sherman, Director of the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Regulation and Inspection.