Sentence announced in animal beating case

Frederick Bourgault, 27, of Canada, was sentenced to two to six years in prison in connection with the beating death a racehorse on July 17, 2023 at the Pine Bush Training Facility in the Town of Crawford. The sentence was announced on July 7, 2025.

On April 7, 2025, Bourgault was convicted of second-degree criminal mischief - which carries a two to six year prison sentence - and felony interference with or injury to certain domestic animals, which carries a one and one-third to four year sentence. By law, the sentences must run concurrently. Bourgault was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,000.

At the trial, prosecutors said Bourgault struck the racehorse, Finish Line, with a hard object causing a skull fracture which resulted in the horse having to be euthanized. The horse had an estimated value of at least $5,000.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office had recommended maximum sentences of two and one-third to seven years for the first charge and a concurrent sentence of one and one-third to four years for the second.

The investigation by the N.Y. State Police, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and New York State Gaming Commission included having the horse’s remains exhumed and examined by experts at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. The State Gaming Commission provided expert witnesses and assisted in coordinating the arrest of Bourgault by the State Police.

Under an Orange County Local Law knows as “Rocky’ Law,” Bourgault must register with an Animal Abuse Registry maintained by the Orange County Sheriff within five days of his release from custody, the D.A.’s office said.

“The Orange County Legislature’s legislative findings when it passed Rocky’s Law stated, ‘The Legislature ... finds and determines that individuals who abuse animals are statistically more likely to commit violent acts against humans and, in particular, the Legislature also determines that a strong correlation has been established linking individuals who abuse animals with incidents of domestic violence,’ and, I cannot agree more with that assessment,” District Attorney David M. Hoovler said. “The beautiful horse that was the victim of this defendant’s senseless act of violence deserved the justice that was delivered on his behalf. My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that crimes committed against intimate partners, and animals, are investigated and appropriately prosecuted.”

On June 25, 2025, Bourgault pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted assault to a woman using her cellphone. He is scheduled to be sentenced for that charge on Oct. 2.