Arizona officials seize malnourished horses from New River woman
Sep 19, 2017, 4:05 AM
(Photo: MCSO)
(Photo: MCSO)
PHOENIX — Three malnourished horses have been seized from a woman in Arizona who told officials she was relying on “hobos” and “transients” to take care of the animals, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said on Monday.
The unidentified woman has not been arrested, officials said, but she could face three counts of animal cruelty charges relating to the “failure to provide medical treatment.”
Veterinarians said the seized animals were in the worst possible condition when they were seized, noting that “all [of the horses’] bone structure is easily noticeable and the tail, head, and hook bones are prominently projecting with the ribs.”
The animals were taken in on Sept. 13, after detectives responded to a report of a “skinny horse” at a New River residence. The property owner did not own the animals, but the owner of the horses said she knew they were sick and underweight and admitted they hadn’t received medical care in at least 18 months.
The owner of the horses said she trusted others, including “hobos” and “transients,” to care for the animals and “they had failed,” the sheriff’s office said. The owner also wouldn’t turn over the horses, so detectives had to seize them through a warrant.
The horses have been turned over to Durango Equine Veterinary Clinic and are actively receiving emergency assistance.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
