Last month former Daily Show host Jon Stewart and his wife Tracey adopted Lily, a senior mare that gained fame for having been shot more than 100 times at close range with a paintball gun. They brought Lily from Pennsylvania, where she was rescued from an auction, to their animal sanctuary in New Jersey.
Sadly, on June 20th, the couple announced on their Facebook page, The Daily Squeal, that Lily has died. The statement reads:
“It is with the deepest sadness that we share with you that dearest, sweetest Lily passed away yesterday. She went peacefully surrounded by so many that loved her. We stroked her hair and told her over and over again how loved and special she was. She was under her favorite tree on soft grass. She will live on in our hearts and in our fight to protect, love and cherish all animals.
“Lily loved her time in the paddock munching on grass. During the day Lily got massages, baths and lots and lots of hugs. She slept soundly in her barn listening to soft music. Her favorite Pandora channel was Ray Lamontagne.
“Her bones were very frail. She stumbled and fell hard on her neck causing a break. When we knew there was nothing more we could do for her we covered her in kisses and kind words and said our good-byes. Our hearts are aching we had so many more fun plans for her. She was beyond special and beyond loved. We are comforted knowing that we were able to give her peace. She left this world feeling love. The hardest part of adopting animals that have suffered neglect is that you often don’t get to spend as much time as your heart would have liked.”
Lily was found abandoned at an auction in New Holland, Pennsylvania, in March. She was taken in by the Lancaster County SPCA, who oversaw her care and rehabilitation. Surveillance video helped police identify the man who dropped Lily off at the auction. Philip Price Jr., 65, of East Providence, Rhode Island. He was charged with animal cruelty and ordered to pay $3,056 in fines and $10,178 towards Lily’s care.
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