Amish Man Charged With Beating Horse Until It Collapsed, Died

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A Lancaster County Amish man has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty for allegedly beating a horse to the point it collapsed and had to be euthanized.

Photos of the alleged beating went viral on Facebook.

Ephrata police say the horse, which was pulling a wagon loaded with watermelons, was struck by Marvin M. Sensenig, 20, of Ephrata, Pa.

In a news release officers say Sensenig "unreasonably struck a horse that was overburdened with a heavy load."

Officers say they called in a local fire company for help and used 1,000 gallons of water in an attempt to cool the horse down but it didn't help.

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Witnesses claim Sensenig kicked the horse in the abdomen, back of the head, and was seen punching the horse in the head.