Former Calverton Farm Owner Charged With Animal Cruelty

The former owner of Abbess Farms in Calverton was charged with three counts of animal cruelty after from the farm at the end of April.

Marie Guerrera, also known as Marie Tooker, was found in Flanders after living in three places over the past two and a half months and "ducking" authorities, according to the nimals.

Tooker, 46, was charged with not caring for two horses and a Palomino pony at the farm, located at 3581 Route 25. All charges are misdemeanors, each carrying up to a year imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine. She was given a field appearance ticket with a return date of July 27 at the Southampton Town Justice Court.

"Until we had enough facts, we couldn't charge her," said Suffolk SPCA Chief Gross, who said Tooker was present when the SCSPCA entered the property to rescue the horses in late April. He added that because the charges are misdemeanors, a search warrant was not available to find her.

The definition of animal cruelty, Gross said, is "failure to provide proper sustenance. Sustenance being the ability to sustain life."

Tooker was found at what the SCSPCA said was her current address at 1040 Route 24 in Flanders.

Tooker had entered into foreclosure on the Calverton property before the SCSPCA rescued the animals. 

Gross said at the time that in his 27 years with the SPCA, he had "never seen a volume of horses at one time" such as he did at the Calverton farm. In addition, he said sheep, goats, and a pig were also found on the premises.

All the animals, Gross said, have been fostered or adopted since they were rescued.

Of the three animals in the worst shape, the Palomino pony , for which the organization is seeking donations. Gross said on Wednesday the SCSPCA is seeking a second opinion.