02.13.2014
PATHETIC!
PATHETIC!
Timothy Diggs Jr.
A Ronks man has been charged with shooting a horse while it was pulling a buggy containing a family of five last November in East Lampeter Township.
The horse later died.
Timothy Antonio Diggs Jr., 22, was charged Wednesday with five counts of recklessly endangering another person and one count each of propulsion of missiles and cruelty to animals.
East Lampeter Township police Lt. Robin Weaver said Diggs was identified as a suspect within days of the incident.
He said information obtained by police, along with tips from the public, led authorities to Diggs.
"This obviously was a very alarming crime ... We feel a deep gratification in making this arrest," Weaver said.
"(Diggs) showed a great indifference to human life, not to mention the life of the horse. It's a miracle none of the family was hurt."
The incident occurred Nov. 24 in the 100 block of North Ronks Road.
An Amish couple — along with their children ages 7, 9, and 12 — were traveling in the buggy around 9 p.m. when they were passed by a vehicle driving the same direction.
As the car drove by, the man said he heard what sounded like a firecracker.
The noise spooked the horse, but the man was able to control the animal and continue to his farm about a mile away.
A family member was removing the animal's harness and discovered blood coming from its mouth. A veterinarian was called but the horse died before the vet arrived.
A necropsy was performed at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square where Dr. Perry Habecker determined the horse died from a gunshot wound to the left chest.
After developing Diggs as a suspect, police executed a search warrant at his home Dec. 2. They discovered firearms and a motorcycle stolen in two separate burglaries in East Lampeter Township and Upper Leacock Township.
Weaver said one of the stolen guns is believed to be the weapon used in the shooting of the horse.
He said the gun, along with a slug removed from the animal, are at the state police crime lab where ballistics tests are being conducted.
Diggs has been behind bars at Lancaster County Prison since Dec. 3. He was jailed in lieu of $250,000 bail on charges of receiving stolen property relating to the search warrant, officials said.
Weaver said Diggs may be facing additional charges but declined to elaborate.
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