Harness Trainer Convicted Of Two Felonies After Fracturing Horse's Skull
On April 7, harness racing trainer Frederick Bourgault was convicted of all charges against him in connection with the beating death of a Standardbred racehorse on July 17, 2023, at the Pine Bush Training Facility in the Town of Crawford, N.Y. Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced the convictions after a bench trial.The indictment charged Bourgault with Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree for having 'damaged' a racehorse named 'Finish Line,' that had an estimated value of at least five thousand dollars.Criminal mischief in the second degree is a class D felony, which carries a possible prison sentence between three to seven years.
It was alleged that Bourgault struck the horse with a hard object causing a linear depressed skull fracture, which resulted in the horse having to be euthanized. The indictment also charged Bourgault with Interference with or Injury to Certain Domestic Animals, a felony under the New York State Agriculture and Markets Act, for willfully and unjustifiably injuring or destroying a racehorse. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2025.Bourgault, a native of Canada, has a history of mistreatment charges against him in the NYSGC database, dating from 2021 through 2023. Three rulings state that Bourgault kicked his horse in the stretch or after the wire, while two additional rulings are for whipping violations, including one after finish line.
The New York State Police, aided by the Orange County District Attorney's Office and New York State Gaming Commission, engaged in an investigation into the death of the 2012 gelding. The investigation included having the horse's remains exhumed and examined by experts at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The New York State Gaming Commission provided expert witnesses and assisted in coordinating the arrest of Bourgault by the New York State Police.District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police, BCI Middletown, for their investigation and the arrest of Bourgault, and the New York State Gaming Commission for their assistance and support of the arrest and prosecution.'The beautiful horse that was the victim of this defendant's senseless act of violence deserved the justice that was delivered on his behalf,' said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. 'We will not, as a civilized society, allow abusers to bring harm to helpless animals. My Office will continue to utilize all legal resources available and work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that crimes like these are investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent under law.'
'The New York State Gaming Commission is proud to work closely with law enforcement to protect horses and hold those who abuse them accountable,' said Sarah Klein, Director of the Gaming Commission's Division of Horse Racing. 'We are grateful for the work of the Orange County District Attorney's Office and the New York State Police in delivering justice for Mr. Bourgault's crimes.'District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Borek and Assistant District Attorney Roger Dean who prosecuted the case.This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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