Charles City woman found guilty in animal cruelty case

A Charles City County woman who was responsible for the care of several horses on rental property will now be barred from any interaction with horses for the next two years.

Rhiannan Vitiello, 27, of 9500 Sturgeon Point Road, was found guilty on four misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty in Charles City Circuit Court on Tuesday afternoon.

During opening testimony, Charles City animal control officer Frank Bates said that he reported to the residence of Harrison Ruffin on The Glebe Lane on Oct. 5, 2011, in response to complaints from passersby and neighbors on the poor condition of the horses. While Ruffin no longer lives in the county, Bates would occasionally stop by to check on the land. According to testimony, Vitiello had rented the fields there to breed and raise her horses.

Bates approached the residence with veterinarian Dr. Courtney Beldon to inspect the horses and survey the living conditions. Beldon’s testimony painted bleak conditions of the fields.

“There was no water source for the horses,” she said. “There was no grass for them to eat, as well as some of them having scars and multiple injuries.”

Beldon would get into more graphic detail about the physical appearance of the animals and said that conditions on the premises were not ideal for living.

“On a scale of from one to nine with one being malnourished to nine being overweight, most of these horses were either ones or twos,” she continued. “There was also barbed wire on the ground, presenting a health hazard.”

Judge William Andrews would next hear testimony from Vitiello, who said she would never mistreat any horse.

“I have been around horses all my life,” said Vitiello. “I train them and breed them because they are my life.”

Speaking about the day of the incident, Vitiello claimed there was plenty of grass on the property, as well as fresh water for the horses.

“I move the horses around from field to field so that grass can grow there,” she said. “I personally have walked every inch of that field and can tell you that there is grass there and fresh water.”

However, commonwealth’s attorney Rob Tyler questioned Vitiello about her caretaking abilities, her income from racing horses, and time away from the horses while she traveled up and down the East Coast. Vitiello’s response was that she moved horses around on a weekly basis, which led to Andrews questioning the practice.

“Why are you moving the horses around?” the judge asked.

“We move them around from place to place for better pastures, a change of scenery, if they are sick, and for buyers who are interested in purchasing them,” Vitiello responded.

“Wouldn’t it make more sense for the buyer to come see you at the farm instead of you lugging these horses everywhere?” Andrews retorted.

Defense attorney Richard Collins asked Vitiello to explain some of her past experiences with the transport of horses.

“Both my mother and step-father own land,” said Vitiello. “We often transport horses back and forth to each other, which is a common practice.”

Collins argued in his closing statement that Vitiello did not neglect the animals and that she maintained the care of the horses and was not responsible for the shape they were in prior to her arrival. However, Tyler pointed to earlier testimony from Robin Vince, the defendant’s mother, whose story did not match her daughter’s.

“We heard from the mother that the water tanks were working, but the defendant said they weren’t,” said Tyler. “We also heard that the grass was as high as her waist, but the pictures taken by the defense clearly showed otherwise.”

Andrews agreed with Tyler, referencing county code in regards to animal cruelty.

“I know Ms. Vitiello had good intentions, but I don’t know what happened here,” he said. “I don’t’ know if it was financial or what, but the county code clearly states that neglect of food, water, or emergency care is animal cruelty, and that is what we had here.

“The vet was called specifically [by the county] to look for these things,” he continued. “She obviously has the experience and expertise to make the judgment on the conditions and the commonwealth has proved his case.”

Before sentencing, Vitiello made a final statement, expressing her shock and disbelief over the verdict.

“I never had anything like this,” she said. “This is how I make a living; this is what I love to do and know how to do.”

Vitiello was sentenced to four years in jail with all but one month suspended. She also has to pay a $1,000 fine and $1,367 in restitution. She is barred from caring for, training, raising, and breeding horses for two years in the state of Virginia.

“She has time hanging over her head,” said Andrews. “I want her to know I’m serious if she comes back in front of me.”