QUINCY, ILL. (AP) -- A Quincy man accused of abusing his riding mare by feeding her hot peppers has pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.
The Quincy Herald-Whig reported Thursday that 53-year-old Krishna Shiva entered the plea earlier this week and is scheduled for sentencing Nov. 12.
When he was cited last month, Shiva was accused of riding the 7-year-old mare without shoes on a gravel road, whipping her with a leather strap and force-feeding her habanera peppers, which are among the world's hottest.
Shiva lost ownership of the mare after a forfeiture hearing Sept. 3 in Quincy.
KHQA reported that Adams County Animal Warden Jenny Benjamin said the horse, named Diva, was removed from an Ursa farm last month and was given to a horse rescue facility.
In court, Shiva said he was sorry and that he is a horse lover. But he also made seemingly nonsensical statements calling the peppers a "blessing" to the horse.
Click here to read scientific information about why, in nature, certain animals avoid foods like hot peppers and yet others are drawn to them because of their color.
Animal welfare officials say Diva is suffering from a collapsed lung and will never be ridden again.
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