Kentucky Trainer Cited for Cruelty to Horses

From the Bloodhorse;

Trainer Pleads Guilty to Cruelty Charges

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by Blood-Horse Staff
Date Posted: September 12, 2008
Last Updated: September 12, 2008

A Kentucky-based trainer has pleaded guilty to 16 counts of second-degree cruelty to animals charges resulting from an October 2007 incident in Nelson County, Ky.

Joseph D. “J.D.” Crescini, who signed the guilty plea Sept. 9, faces a recommended sentence of one year in jail, with 11 months suspended, and court costs. His sentencing in Nelson County District Court is scheduled for Oct. 21.

The charges stemmed from an Oct. 12, 2007 investigation by Nelson County Animal Control and local law authorities, who claim they found two dead horses and 12 “severely” undernourished horses – most believed to be Thoroughbreds -- at a property on Plum Run Road.

Crescini claimed to own the horses, according to a Nelson County Sheriff Department report, but denied they were neglected. The report claims Crescini told deputies Thoroughbreds are “supposed to be skinny,” and that they “used to be on steroids, and now that they aren’t, they are withering away.”

When contacted by telephone Sept. 12, Crescini declined comment to The Blood-Horse. Attempts to reach county attorneys affiliated with the case weren’t immediately successful.

Of the two horses found dead, one was found in a stall, and another outside the stall. The sheriff’s report said both appeared “to have been there awhile, and the second one had lime put on it.”

It is believed Crescini has been training in and around the Midwest since the early 1970s. Since 1980, Crescini is credited with 29 wins in 293 career starts, including one win in 18 starts in 2008, according to equinline.com.