THURMONT, Md. -- Loose horses are frequently frustrating Thurmont residents and animal control officers.
Janis O'Connor has been fined $100 several times in the past five years but still hasn't taken steps to corral about a dozen horses, Frederick County Animal Control Director Harold Domer said. The fines have been difficult to collect because O'Connor sometimes doesn't show up in court, Domer said.
Authorities have also had trouble serving notice in person because she's not often on the property. Next-door neighbor Diana Miller told the Frederick News-Post the house burned down years ago and O'Connor sometimes stays on the property in a car or trailer.
The horses are receiving adequate care and, as a result, cannot be confiscated, Domer said.
The horses get out "constantly" and are destroying people's lawns and other property, aggravating her family for a decade, Miller said. She's amazed a horse hasn't been hurt while running wild.
