MALONE – Travis DeValinger, owner of XTC Ranch on Forest Home Road, who was charged with animal cruelty last December, has accepted an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal with respect to the charges in Franklin County Court.

Eight horses that were seized by state police Dec. 7 are forfeited to the state, as is more than $11,000 DeValinger was required to pay for their care.

DeValinger received a six-month adjournment of the case with the court contemplating dismissal. He was reported to have around 40 horses at the ranch at the time of his arrest in December. State police seized eight that were deemed severely underweight or neglected and examined 20 more, which remained at the ranch. DeValinger has continued to do business with the horses remaining.

Assistant District Attorney David Hayes told the Enterprise, “A neutral party will be granted access to XTC Ranch to ensure the remaining horses are in good health. It puts an educational side to the situation.”