The defense attorney for a Butler woman charged with abusing and neglecting her horses said Wednesday, Aug. 27, it intends to present evidence to the contrary at trial.

Sherry Marie Haser, 55, is accused of leaving five horses and a donkey in a stable filled with manure and failing to care for at least one horse in Summit Township. Both misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals and neglect of animals were held for court by District Judge Lewis Stoughton in a Tuesday preliminary hearing.

“We’re confident we’ll be able to mount a defense,” said defense attorney Josh Snyder representing Benjamin Levine Law, LLC.

Snyder said he intends to present evidence in trial showing Haser successfully sought veterinary care for the animals. Her formal arraignment is scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 14 in Butler County Common Pleas Courtroom 5.

Police said in the criminal affidavit they received a call from Haser’s neighbors on Heist Road who said they heard what sounded like a horse dying in nearby stables.

Police said they arrived and found a donkey in the stable lying in manure that appeared to be dying. Police said the stable was filled with manure.

Police also found five skinny horses in stable stalls. One horse struggled to walk out of its stall and had hooves that appeared overgrown and a coat that had not been brushed in a long time, police said.

Haser allegedly told police she did not have time to care for the animals, according to the criminal affidavit.