Suffield Man Charged With Animal Cruelty Over Care of Horses

Suffield police have arrested a local man after an investigation into the care of three horses on his property. 

Police said they started investigating 56-year-old Robert Sumner, whose last known address was on South Street in Suffield, after receiving complaints and Suffield animal control officers conducted 22 spot check inspections. 

During those inspections, they found the three horses did not have sufficient, if any, food and water was either not provided to the horses or it was frozen over, police said. 

After a month-long investigation, police arrested Sumner around 6 p.m. on Jan. 4. He has been charged with animal cruelty and was released on a promise to appear in court on Jan. 16. 

Animal control officers are monitoring the horses’ well-being.

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