Tioga Downs Arsonist, Horse Killer Sentenced to Up to 15 Years Prison

A PA man charged with setting a firing at Tioga Downs racecourse that killed 30 racehorses and 2 cats was sentenced to a upper limit of 15 years inwards prison house Friday.

It’s noneffervescent unclear exactly why Boyd Fenton, 32, of Athens, Pa., deliberately started the b fire, which also injured a trainer who tried to rescue the animals. However, prosecutors said Fenton took drugs before the incident on Nov 9, 2023 and “believed people were chasing him.” The suspect has no more known connexion to the track.

Witnesses reported terrified horses kicking and screaming as the flames spread, according to a New York Times report. Not ane of the horses, which competed in tackle races at the racino complex, survived the fire.

Psychological Toll

Fenton was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with third-degree arson, third-degree burglary, second-degree felon mischief, and second-degree assault.

He was also convicted Fri of 30 counts of interference with injuries to certain domestic animals, and 30 counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals.

Boyd appeared inwards the Tioga County Margaret Court House inwards Owego, N.Y. wearing all orange tree with shackles around his ankles and wrists, according to WETM 18 News.

Also backpacking the courthouse were numerous racing manufacture stakeholders, including many who lost horses in the fire. Some of the horse owners gave testimony. One, Mindy Findling Repko, had 5 horses that died inwards the blaze.

She radius nigh the psychological toll the offence had taken on her. She at present has affright attacks when she enters her b indorse nursing home in Indiana, she said, as reported past 18 News. When it world-class happened, she thought she was having a heart attack. Now, her husband’s words notification her that her horses were deadened spiel o'er and o'er again in her head, she added.

‘You Murdered Our Kids’

Repko said that the horses had filled a huge breach in the couples’ lifespan because they had never had children.

“That’s what you did,” she said, looking for directly at Fenton. “You murdered our kids.”

Fenton was presumption an chance to talk after Repko’s testimony but chose to remain silent.

The suspect has a lengthy knap weather sheet inward Pennsylvania, including impulsive under the work of a controlled substance, malefactor trespassing, felonious rascality resulting inward prop damage, and possessing a small amount of marijuana.