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Frederick Bourgault, 27, of Canada, was convicted in Orange County Court on Monday, April 7, in connection with the 2023 death of a horse named “Finish Line” at the Pine Bush Training Facility in the Town of Crawford, the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced.
Prosecutors said Bourgault struck the horse with a hard object, causing a linear depressed skull fracture. The injury was so severe that the horse had to be euthanized.
Bourgault was found guilty of second-degree criminal mischief and felony interference with or injury to certain domestic animals under New York's Agriculture and Markets Law.
His conviction followed a lengthy investigation by the New York State Police and the New York State Gaming Commission, with support from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. The probe included the exhumation of the horse’s remains, which were examined by experts at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
"The beautiful horse that was the victim of this defendant’s senseless act of violence deserved the justice that was delivered on his behalf,” Orange County DA David Hoovler said in a statement on Monday.
Bourgault is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, July 7.
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