March 18, 2016
Source/Penn Vet New Bolton
Penn Vet New Bolton Center surgeon Dr. Nikki Scherrer stands with 20-year-old Lily after successfully removing her sightless right eye.
A 20-year-old horse who was abandoned and brutally shot with paintballs at an auction farm in New Holland, Pa. is recovering after her eye was surgically removed this week at Penn Vet's New Bolton Center in Kennet Square.
Lily, an Appaloosa and Arabian mix, was found Monday tied up and covered in splotches of paint at the New Holland Sales Stable where horses are typically sent to be slaughtered, according to Inquisitr. She had been shot more than 130 times at close range and had already been dealing with complications in her right eye, which was ultimately removed by Dr. Rose Nolen-Walston and Dr. Nikki Scherrer in order to relieve her of chronic pain.
Injured horse nicknamed Lily, an Easter rescue, after being shot nearly 130 times with paintball gun. @69News pic.twitter.com/Rt1KdEz9nx
— Ryan Hughes (@RHughes69News) March 15, 2016
In response to the attack, the Lancaster County SPCA is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for shooting Lily, who was found malnourished and without any registration for Monday's sale. It's unclear how she ended up tied to the stable in the first place.
Scherrer said Lily is expected to make a full recovery from the surgery.
"Her prognosis is excellent," Scherrer said in an update on Facebook. "Removing the eye doesn’t change anything for her at all except she will be a more comfortable horse. The ulcer in the left eye we expect to heal in two weeks. She does have vision in her left eye. It’s not normal because of a positioning abnormality. She has limited vision."
Following the surgery, Lily was placed in the custody of Airville-based Omega Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, whose director, Kelly Smith, first discovered her and coordinated her transfer to New Bolton Center, according to The Daily Local. The organization has committed to covering all of Lily's veterinary expenses, possibly tens of thousands of dollars, though many have opted to make donations to help minimize the cost.
Anyone with information about those responsible for Lily's abandonment and attack is urged to call the Lancaster County SPCA at 717-917-6979.
