Rose Corey, (l) and Diana Martin (r), after two days of testifying at the Donna Gale horse abuse trial last week.

Teddy Bear and Valor, the two horses rescued last year from a Waller Rd. mud pit, received a strong measure of justice last week in District Court.

Donna Gale, the horsewoman who ran the infamous equine boarding facility, was convicted on two counts of animal cruelty in the second degree.  She will be sentenced April 29, and reportedly can face up to 90 days in prison, a $2,000 fine, and a two-year prohibition from owning horses.

Although Pierce County Animal Control seized a total of fifteen horses in the rescue operation, it was the deplorable condition of Teddy Bear and Valor that formed the specifics of the criminal charges.

At the time of their rescue, Teddy Bear was a four-month-old colt who was covered in mud from foraging through feces and ooze to find specks of food.  He also had developmental problems in his hips and legs due to malnutrition, and a severe case of intestinal parasites.

Valor, an eleven-year-old Arabian stallion, had a badly infected penis that was swollen and bleeding.  He was also several hundred pounds underweight.

Ironically, Donna Gale was not the actual owner of the horses.  In the course of the investigation and trial it was revealed that Valor was owned by Donna Gale's sister Roxanne, and the other horses were owned by a third sister, Lisa, who has been a life-long horsewoman.  However, neither Roxanne nor Lisa Gale was charged.

In her defense, Donna Gale said she only took responsibility for the horses when Lisa became ill, and she claimed her limited income prevented her from delivering adequate care.

Nevertheless, deputy prosecuting attorney Robert Yu convinced the seven-member jury that "when one takes responsibility, they also take on liability."

Yu presented compelling evidence as to Gale's culpability, including dramatic videos made by Waller Rd. neighbor Diana Martin, and "Life in Pierce County's" Stacy Emerson.

Yu also said in his summation that Animal Control veterinarian Jack Gillette had described the conditions at Gale's as "the worst he had ever seen in his 27 year career."

The Gale sisters failed to present any evidence that they tried to sell the horses or give them away when they were unable to maintain their well-being.

Rose Corey, the horsewoman who first cared for Teddy Bear and Valor and eventually became the owner of the stallion, was thrilled with the outcome.

"I wept when I got the word," she said.  "I went out and celebrated with Valor - I stuffed him with apples!"

As a result of this case, Pierce County has radically transformed its rescue programs, and now has an equine rescue network composed of seven horse ranches and veterinarian facilities.  In addition, Ripley's Horse Aid Foundation, a nationwide equine support organization, has established a robust presence in Pierce County and has begun a food distribution program.