Alarm Engulfs the Equestrian Community as 40–50 Horses Are Found Living in a “Filthy” Environment, Prompting a Non-Profit to Take Legal Action

Horse abuse and neglect have been a persistent issue in the equestrian industry. Many laws, agencies, and departments have been formed to overlook and control the issue. But, at times it seems that these efforts are falling short in addressing the issue. Animals rights groups fill that gap and aware the authorities about the ongoing abuse if found.

The Los Angeles Alliance for Animals a non-profit animal rights organization stepped forward. They took action when the equestrian community learned about the filthy leaving conditions of horses at a ranch on Artesian Road. They have sued the San Diego County’s Department of Animal Services for acquiring records of their investigation into the complaint received regarding them.

The equestrian community upset about conditions at the ranch

According to NBC San Diego, earlier this year the San Diego County’s Department of Animal Services receives complaints about the filthy conditions of the horses at the Rancho Santa Fe property. In the complaint, it was said that around 40-50 horses were living in an inadequate abusive environment. The right groups described the situation saying there was no shelter to protect from heat ad rain. The Facebook page of 10 News reported that the horse’s feet were caked in horse shit and their bones protruded due to a lack of proper and timely diet.

The department immediately responded by sending an animal control officer to the site. When they reached there they witnessed an elderly horse lying down and stuck in the mud. The horse died before the doctors could euthanize him. The Los Angeles Alliance for Animals alleges that the animal control officer who reached the side did not euthanize the horse despite getting an offer from a bystander.

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The founder of the non-profit organization claimed that the bystander identified himself as a veterinarian but the officer refused his help. This resulted in prolonged distress of the horse and he died after more than two hours. The non-profit organization sued the county for records after not receiving any replies to their earlier requests.

The County sued for records of the investigation on the equestrian ranch

The Los Angeles Alliance for Animals claim that in April they filed a request to obtain investigation records that were held in March on the ranch case under California Public Records Act. But, they didn’t get any response on it, therefore they filed a lawsuit against San Diego County’s Department of Animal Services to obtain those records. The County declined to comment on the issue denying that they have not received any such lawsuit.

Earlier the County had shared that its investigators were in contact with the private veterinarian who looked into the horse care at the ranch. They claimed that its investigators met the owner and veterinarian a total of eight times. The case of the horses’ poor condition at the ranch is indeed an alarming issue. Furthermore, each section of society needs to play its part in controlling and eradicating such abuse and neglect.

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