The operator of a New York equine rescue is facing multiple charges for allegedly defrauding financial contributors and for allegedly maltreating several horses in her care.

Chenango County Sheriff Ernie Cutting said that Stephanie Algiere-Hanchett, operator of the A Ton of Love Draft Horse Rescue in Guilford, is accused of using Facebook and other Internet sites to solicit funds to underwrite surgery for a horse residing at the rescue. Sheriff’s department personnel began investigating the case in June after a tipster reported visiting the rescue.

"A local person went to the rescue to see the horse and found there had been no surgery," Cutting said.

Several other complaints about the alleged fund-raising scheme followed and in all, about $900 was collected in the alleged surgery scheme, Cutting said