This is beyond words.

This is horrible and unacceptable! Who in their right mind, there is the key word, would do or continue to do this horrible act? What do they get out of this?

After all these attacks, can it be true that they have not installed security cameras and/or a better method of protecting these animals?

That's what I don't understand. One would think installing security cameras would be the FIRST PRIORITY at this facility. Can anyone get answers?

This means either it's a copycat attack, or they have the wrong person in custody, or the person in custody wasn't the only one doing it.

I've contacted SPIRIT to see if they do have plans to install security cameras. A lot of commenters on here, on Facebook and in other places said they think the nonprofit should raise money for security cameras, but the organizers at SPIRIT never said they were planning to raise money for, buy or install cameras when I interviewed them.

Looks like the local gangs are alive and well.

Let's hope this is resolved quickly. Maybe Fairfax county should turn this case over to the regional Gang Task Force.

The money that was raised after the first attacks went to the enormous vet bills to treat the animals. SPIRIT is a bare-bones non-profit and feeding and basic care of the animals soaks up their every diime.

Interestingly, when it was just the SPIRIT animals attacked Frying Pan said, "oh, so sorry, but you're not our asset or on our property so we can't help." Once their own animals were attacked, they started making noises about cameras, etc. Still, Frying Pan, a Fairfax County operation, is unlikely to spend money to keep the SPIRIT animals safe.

Sadly, what makes these horses so vulnerable is that they like people and are not afraid when someone comes to their paddock. Their gentle acceptance of people is what makes them so good in working with the disabled.

This is terribly saddening and just outright craziness.....Security system, or guard or even a policeman is something they desperately need......What are they waiting for???....An animal to be killed??? God for bid....DO THE RIGHT THING AND PROTECT ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS ALREADY!!! Perhaps in the meantime how about some volunteers to stay on the grounds with the animals overnight.....a few in each area armed with walkie talkies and a cell phone.......

Have any of you read the article in the newspaper after they took this person into custody? He had a machete, he wore a mask, and he rode the horse till he was thrown off and then started cutting.

Based on the suspect's statements about making a video of him riding a horse, we have to wonder where is the video (if it exists)--do the police have it? If not, who does? The kid had to have someone else involved if his intention was to make a video of him riding a horse...

My first thought was that he was probably going to post it on You Tube or something like that and see it go viral.

Looks like this property needs floodlights that come on when movement is detected plus the video cameras...I've never visited this facility...are there locks to keep the animals safe?

Since the horses are not Fairfax County property, perhaps the horses and the activity need to be moved to a protected facility...would Northern Virginia Community College Vet Med Tech possibly be interested? That campus has guards on duty.

I don't understand why police or other organizations have not stepped up site surveillance re these ongoing atrocities. How long must these animals suffer?

Just to let everyone know smartisight has donated cameras to Spirit. smartisight is a local internet based camera company located in Mclean, VA.