Bucks County woman charged after neglected horse had to be euthanized: SPCA

SPRINGFIELD TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- A Bucks County woman is facing felony animal cruelty charges after authorities say she failed to provide medical care for her horse, which ultimately had to be euthanized.

Springfield Township police said Heather Fitzgerald was arrested Monday. She is being held at Bucks County Prison on $150,000 bail.

According to investigators, the horse, named Brazilliant, was suffering from painful, untreated cancer that had spread throughout his body. A veterinarian determined euthanasia was the most humane option.

The Bucks County SPCA said Fitzgerald had previously been investigated for poor conditions at her farm and was ordered to make corrections in the care of her horses and dogs.

"Fitzgerald was repeatedly cited for allowing her dogs to run loose. In 2025, Springfield Township Police filed charges for a dog that was running at large and had killed a neighbor's cat," SPCA officials said in a news release.

After that incident, authorities ordered Fitzgerald to rehome all of her animals within six months. Officials said she failed to comply, which led to a hearing on May 4 of this year.

In Brazilliant's case, officials said Fitzgerald attempted to treat what she described as an eye injury in mid-April without seeking veterinary care. SPCA officers visited the farm the following day and found the horse in very poor condition.

"His badly damaged eye appeared to be sunken into the socket and was weeping what appeared to be a mixture of blood and pus. A large lump was visible near his mouth making it difficult to eat. He was very thin and stumbled when walking," the SPCA said.

Veterinarians later determined the eye injury was cancerous and had spread to the horse's face, spine and other parts of the body.

Officials said the type of cancer is common and treatable and could have been prevented from spreading with timely care.