Ag worker regains job despite abuse allegation

NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) — A worker assigned to rehabilitate abused horses at a facility in Niantic was disciplined last year for allegedly mishandling an animal and failing to report the incident.

The Day of New London (http://bit.ly/ZEs2DB ) reports that the agricultural worker, Francesca Cintolo, was rehired in December under an agreement negotiated by her union, the state and the Office of Labor Relations.

Cintolo works at the Second Chance Large Animal Rehabilitation Facility at the men's prison annex in Niantic.

An investigation by the state Department of Administrative Services found inmates complained in 2011 that she used excessive force with a chain lead around a horse's muzzle. Cintolo told investigators she did not record the incident in a log book as required because the injury was minor.

Cintolo could not be reached for comment.

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Information from: The Day, http://www.theday.com