KENNETT SQUARE, Pa. (AP) – A horse adopted by Jon Stewart and his wife reported to have been shot more than 100 times by a paintball gun was instead used as a canvas for children’s finger-painting parties, the former owner of the horse said.
Doreen Weston said the horse was never injured. Her comments came on the same day the former “Daily Show” host’s wife, Tracey, officially adopted the white mare named Lily at a facility in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The Stewarts partnered with Farm Sanctuary last year to open an animal sanctuary at their farm in Middletown, New Jersey.
Lily was found seemingly abandoned at an auction stable in New Holland, Pennsylvania, in March. Police said she was covered in paint and extremely sore to the touch. The abused horse tale soon became a cause celebre.
Tracey Stewart said the problem is that too many people think animals are disposable.
Phillip Price, of East Providence, Rhode Island, was convicted Friday in New Holland of animal cruelty and other charges related to transporting a horse in poor condition. Price is also on probation in Rhode Island after pleading no contest to animal cruelty in July, according to court records.