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Animal Services Seizes Neglected Horses

October 2, 2019

Officers Remove Skinny Horses from Mead Valley

Animal control officers seized three neglected horses from a Mead Valley property today.

A neglect case had been ongoing, dating to October 2016. Each time Riverside County Animal Services’officers told the owner a seizure was imminent, the owner would finally buy new food for the skinny animals.

Today marked the end of the back-and-forth, yo-yo-like tactics the owner exhibited for months. Two of the horses are paints and the third, a chestnut. Two are mares and one is a gelding. The ages of the horses are unknown at this time.

A fourth neglected horse had been removed without the knowledge of Animal Services. A search for that horse was attempted, but remains ongoing.

The officers have dealt with more severe equine neglect cases in the past, but the Jean Street case was an ongoing battle. The owner’s lack of consistent care and sustainable nutrition resulted in today’s seizure.

Lt. James Huffman of Animal Services led a team at about 10:30 a.m. to the property, located on Jean Street in unincorporated Riverside County, near Perris. A search warrant was going to be pursued by Lt. Huffman, but the owner said that the warrant was not necessary and granted permission onto the property. He ultimately relinquished the animals to Animal Services’ custody.

The horses will remain in the county’s care until a post-seizure hearing is held. The owner will still be responsible for the food and care of the horses. He could get the horses back if he believes the animals were taken without due process.

If the man does not fight to get the horses back, the animals will eventually be put up for adoption or transferred to one of Animal Services’ rescue partner organizations. A follow-up news release will alert the public if and when an adoption date will occur.