EPHRATA, Pa. (WHTM) – A Lancaster County man is facing charges for his alleged treatment of a horse that died.
Marvin M. Sensenig, 20, of Ephrata, unreasonably struck a horse that was overburdened with a heavy load, borough police said.
He is charged with two counts of cruelty to animals, one for excessively beating the horse and the other because it was pulling too much weight.
The investigation began after a viral Facebook post that claims bystanders saw an Amish man beating the horse until it collapsed.
Police said the horse became exhausted Tuesday while pulling a wagon with two people and a load of watermelons on Bethany Road near Brossman Road.
They said the prosecution was reviewed by the Lancaster County district attorney’s Office and is the fullest extent available under state law.
Sensenig faces a maximum penalty of a $1,500 fine or 180 days in jail.