John Monahan, right, is suing Unbridled Sanctuary to get his miniature horse Teddy back after the equine was hit by a train.
Courtesy of Monahan family
SAUGERTIES — A family whose miniature horse was severely injured after being struck by a train earlier this month is suing the rescue organization that took custody of the animal, disputing claims they gave up ownership.
Teddy, a brown-and-white miniature horse, escaped his paddock in Saugerties with his companion, Duke, after a bear damaged their fence in the early hours of April 8. A few hours later, Teddy was hit by a CSX train just south of Catskill, suffering a fractured vertebra and rib, along with a large, bone-deep gash to his left hindquarters.
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Greene County sheriff’s deputies who responded to the scene initially did not know who owned the horse and called Unbridled Sanctuary, a Greenville-based rescue organization, for assistance. Although Teddy’s owner, John Monahan, eventually arrived, Unbridled — not Monahan — transported the horse to Rhinebeck Equine, where he remains under treatment.
Unbridled Sanctuary expected Teddy would be returned to its care after recovering. But Monahan, through his attorney and daughter-in-law, now disputes founder Susan Kayne’s claim that the family relinquished ownership.
In a lawsuit filed Friday in state Supreme Court in Ulster County, Monahan is seeking Teddy’s return.
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“We have all the documentation to show that Teddy is well taken care of and well-loved and documentation that states he’s ours,” Monahan’s daughter-in-law, Samantha Conklin, said.
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Conklin said Monahan was put in an impossible position at the scene.
“He was basically told, ‘We’re not going to get your horse to safety unless you give up your rights,’” she said. “I’m not sure how anyone would respond to that situation.”
Teddy has been receiving care at Rhinebeck Equine.
Courtesy of Susan Kayne
According to Conklin and the family’s attorney, Ann Weaver, Monahan never signed any paperwork surrendering ownership. Weaver described the scene as chaotic.
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“Everybody was yelling and screaming,” she said. “When the incident occurred, they wouldn’t let (Monahan) go get his trailer to take the pony to the vet.”
But in a text message to the Times Union, Kayne said seven people — including three sheriff’s deputies — witnessed Monahan verbally transfer ownership to Unbridled Sanctuary at the scene. The sheriff’s office incident report “does reflect that ownership of the injured pony was relinquished to Unbridled Sanctuary at the scene,” according to Undersheriff Tracey Quinn, a department spokesperson.
The Times Union has submitted a freedom of information request for the body-camera footage and sworn statements of the responding officers.
Conklin and Weaver said the family is not seeking monetary damages and is not pursuing Kayne personally.
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“We appreciate people like her because there are horses or animals that are in need or do need help, but Teddy is not one of them,” Conklin said. “We have the funds and ability to make sure he has a great life.”
Weaver added that Monahan is willing to cover all veterinary expenses and reimburse Unbridled Sanctuary for transporting Teddy to Rhinebeck.
According to a recent update on Unbridled Sanctuary’s Facebook page, Teddy’s veterinary care has exceeded $15,000, with more than $8,000 raised so far.
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Conklin said the family — including Duke — misses Teddy deeply.
“My father-in-law and mother-in-law are heartbroken,” she said. “My two autistic nephews and niece are heartbroken. These horses aren’t just animals. They’re therapeutic. … We just want our family to be whole again.”