On May 13, the Dorchester County State’s Attorney charged Debora Kay Naylor with 100 criminal counts including felony aggravated animal cruelty and felony animal cruelty resulting in death, along with numerous misdemeanor counts for failing to provide adequate food, water, and necessary veterinary care to multiple animals, including horses, dogs, and goat.
Dorchester County also charged Thomas Henry Naylor, with 102 criminal counts, including multiple felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and felony animal cruelty resulting in death, as well as numerous related misdemeanor offenses involving similar allegations of neglect and mistreatment of animals.
The charges include allegations of serious harm to animals, including conduct resulting in the death of at least one horse, as well as prolonged deprivation of necessary sustenance and medical care.
A preliminary hearing is currently scheduled for both Naylors on July 6 in Dorchester County District Court.
The Naylors had been holding themselves out as operating the Naylor Farm Horse Rescue and Sanctuary in Hurlock, purportedly as a 501(c) (3) charity. In fact, the business was not licensed by the Maryland Horse Industry Board as a sanctuary or rescue, nor was it registered with the Secretary of State or Internal Revenue Service as a charity. The Equiery had contacted the Maryland State Department of Taxation and Assessments (SDAT) on March 31 for more information, and SDAT responded that it was “unable to locate any registration for this business or the owner.”
In a statement, the Dorchester County State’s Attorney said that her office “takes allegations of animal neglect and cruelty extremely seriously” but that “at the same time, law enforcement and prosecutors must act within the bounds of Maryland law, including statutory requirements governing the seizure and care of animals.” The statement also says that the County “ha[s] been, and will continue to be, in consultation with veterinary medical professionals to revaluate any necessary or time-sensitive decisions regarding the potential seizure or re-homing of any animals that may be at risk.”
The State’s Attorney asks that anyone with “firsthand information or knowledge” related to the allegations contact her or the Dorchester County State’s Attorney.
The State’s Attorney also reminded the public that “all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”