Paragallo enters no plea

Ernie Paragallo, the New York-based horse owner who was charged with 35 counts of animal cruelty two weeks ago, was arraigned on Tuesday in Greene County Court in upstate New York but did not enter a plea, according to court officials.

Paragallo, who raced under the name Paraneck Stable before surrendering his license following his arrest in April, is next scheduled to appear in court in 45 days. He remains free on bail.

Investigators with the Columbia-Greene Humane Society served a search warrant on Paragallo's Center Brook Farm in Climax, N.Y., in April following tips about the condition of horses on his farm. Paragallo was initially charged with 22 counts of animal cruelty, but a grand jury indicted Paragallo on the original 22 charges and 13 more two weeks ago.

Paragallo faces a maximum penalty of two years in jail and $35,000 in fines on the charges. His attorney, Michael Howard, did not immediately return a phone call on Wednesday.