Pair Sentenced in Horse-Selling Charity Scam

A Tarzana woman who sold horses donated by people who thought they would be used at a riding academy for needy children was sentenced Thursday to six months in county jail.

Renae Lynn Ferguson, 28, and her mother, Darlene Craig, 49, were each convicted last month on two counts of animal cruelty, six counts of failing to have a city horse license and one count of operating a horse market business without a city license.

West Los Angeles Municipal Judge Keith Groneman ordered Ferguson to stay away from animals for three years. Craig was ordered to spend 60 days in jail.

During the four-week trial, Deputy City Atty. Robert Ferber told a jury that the defendants persuaded people to donate horses, telling them the animals would be used for their nonprofit West Coast Riding Academy for disadvantaged children.

But Ferber said the organization was a sham that covered up a scheme to sell donated horses for $200 to $1,000.

“While the animals were being held by the defendants for sale, they were denied food or care to the point they were suffering and emaciated,” Ferber said. “They exploited these animals and their owners for a quick buck.”

The case first came to light last year when Los Angeles Animal Regulation officials received reports that the defendants were neglecting five horses at a Sun Valley stable.

After further investigation, animal regulation officials determined the neglect of the horses was part of the charity scam and alerted police.