Man charged after horse pelted with more than 100 paintballs

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. -- A man has been charged amid the investigation into an emaciated horse that was found to be pelted with more than 100 paintballs.

Phillip S. Price, 65, of Rhode Island, was charged by police in Lancaster County with animal cruelty for transporting the animal from New Jersey to the New Holland Sales Stables.

Investigators say the investigation continues into who shot the horse, now named Lily, with the paintballs.

Lily is on the road to recovery at the New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, where she's been cared for since being found two weeks ago.

PHOTOS: Horse hit with dozens of paintballs

Caretakers there say test results show she doesn't have an infectious disease, which means she can get out of isolation and into a recovery barn.

And in another bit of good news, her veterinarians say despite an ulcer in her left eye, she does have some vision.

If you are interested in adopting Lily, you are asked to contact at Omega Horse Rescue.

It was back on Monday, March 14th when officers from the Lancaster County SPCA were called to the New Holland Sales stables after the mare was found in a stall after the sales had ended.

SPCA Executive Director Susan Martin said the 20-year-old horse was underweight and had been struck by the paintballs at close range. She says the horse was "in a substantial amount of pain when touched."

Lily hadn't been registered for Monday's sale and had no visible identification.

The woman who found her runs Omega Horse Rescue, and immediately sought care for the horse at the New Bolton Center.

"When you first see something like that it's quite stunning, because I've never seen a horse look like that," said Kelly Smith of Omega Horse Rescue.