PSPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement team, working with the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office, arrest Mark Fisher
Philadelphia, PA (May 18, 2021) – The Pennsylvania SPCA, alongside Lancaster County Detectives, today executed an arrest warrant for Mark Fisher of Quarryville. Fisher has been charged with a total of 2 counts of animal cruelty including a felony and misdemeanor count.
Fisher is being charged on the felony level for knowingly and intentionally torturing a Morgan horse, causing it to endure a prolonged period of pain and suffering. Additionally, on the misdemeanor level, he is being charged with failure to provide necessary veterinary care resulting in serious bodily injury or death.
On August 30, the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement team received a tip to its cruelty hotline regarding a horse that was limping, and possibly had a dislocated leg at a property in Quarryville. Responding to the complaint, officers found an underweight horse in an overgrown pasture with its ankle bent in a manner causing it to have extreme difficulty walking. According to Fisher, the horse had been hit by a car in early 2020 and no veterinary care had been sought.
Unable to put weight on the injured leg, the horse’s entire gait was off, causing the horse to be unable to put pressure on her front legs, and relying on her back legs to hobble forward.
Based upon the horse’s condition, the officer ordered immediate veterinary care to end the horse’s ongoing suffering as soon as possible. Fisher opted to euthanize the horse himself by walking it up a hill and shooting it.
“The suffering of the beautiful animal involved in this case is heartbreaking,” said Nicole Wilson, Director of Humane Law Enforcement & Shelter Operations at the Pennsylvania SPCA. “For months instead of providing veterinary care or euthanizing the filly to ease her pain, her owner forced her to suffer in silence. The images of this poor horse walking while so physically broken are excruciating. We are seeking justice in her name to the fullest extent of the law.”
Anyone with information about this case or other cases involving animal cruelty, is urged to call the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Cruelty Hotline at (866) 601-SPCA. Tips can be left anonymously.
About the Pennsylvania SPCA
Since 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered at 350 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, has been dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and rescuing animals from abuse and neglect. The Pennsylvania SPCA's lifesaving programs for animals include a low-cost veterinary clinic, low-cost spay and neuter services, pet adoption facilities, and the Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Department. For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, please call (215) 426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.