Chandler police rescue 3 neglected horses, arrest man for animal cruelty

PHOENIX — Chandler police arrested a 49-year-old man last week after finding three horses malnourished and needing medical attention, authorities said Thursday.

Taha Rizwan Hussain was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on multiple charges including six counts of animal cruelty, according to a press release from the Chandler Police Department.

A resident contacted police about possible animal cruelty at Hussain’s Chandler home after visiting the property in response to an online ad about a horse for sale, according to the probable cause statement.

Police said they found three horses between the age of 17 and 20 that were in critical need of medical attention.

One horse was having a hard time breathing and had unkept hooves while another horse appeared unable to walk and curling at the hooves, resulting in an infection that was painful to the animal, according to the probable cause statement.

Police said one of the three horses was also underweight and another had no access to food or water in temperatures that exceeded 100 degrees.

The three horses were transported to an animal hospital to be treated for their injuries and illnesses, according to the release.

A search warrant also revealed multiple animal remains and tools used for slaughtering at the property, with police discovering Hussain was killing animals for compensation without a license, according to the release.

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