**WARNING: The embedded YouTube video may be disturbing as it shows a horse involved in an accident.
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The State Attorney’s Office (SAO) for the Fifth Judicial Circuit has decided to not prosecute an Ocala Breeders’ Sales (OBS) executive.
SAO Bill Gladson said he would not pursue robbery charges against Tod Wojciechowski, sales director for OBS, after reviewing the evidence and based on the facts and circumstances.
An investigator for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) filed charges with the Ocala Police Department (OPD) against Wojciechowski following a confrontation during the two-year-olds in training under tack show on Wednesday, April 10.
PETA says horse with hip #559 had an accident during its run and collided into the rail causing both the horse and jockey to crash to the ground. The horse had to be euthanized.
PETA says the investigator was recording video of the euthanasia when OBS staff ordered him to leave. The organization says Wojciechowski took the investigator’s backpack during the confrontation.
In April, PETA released an edited video which they say had a clip from the OBS livestream of the accident show combined with video they say an investigator shot as the horse was euthanized.
PETA also sent a letter to the SAO urging him to pursue criminal cruelty-to-animals charges against OBS staff for the incident. The SAO’s office has also rejected that request.
352today reached out to Mr. Wojciechowski, his attorney and OBS management seeking comment about the charges being dropped. We have not received a response to our request. If we do, we will update this story.