More than 40 animals are now under the care of County Animal Services after being rescued from a property in Valley Center Saturday, Aug. 23.
Animal Control Officers removed 31 horses, three llamas, four Dexter (miniature) cattle, five geese, and one dog from a property located in the 28300 block of Hell Creek Road.
County Animal Services had been trying to get the owner to provide the necessary care for the animals without success. A notice posted on the property on August 16 gave the owner the opportunity to request a hearing to contest the proposed seizure of the animals. When the owner failed to request the hearing, a search warrant was obtained to seize the animals.
“The primary issue with the majority of the livestock was a lack of hoof care,” said Animal Services Deputy Director Dan DeSousa. “Although easy to remedy, prolonged lack of hoof care in livestock is a painful condition that can lead to permanent and severe damage.”
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All of the livestock was examined by a veterinarian specializing in large animals, and several horses were also found to be very underweight. One horse is pregnant.
County Animal Services was joined by its volunteer County Animal Response Team, the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA and their Animal Rescue Reserves, and the San Diego Sheriff’s Department in rescuing the animals.
All of the horses are being cared for at the County’s animal care facility in Bonita. The remaining animals are at a private ranch or the County’s animal care facility in Carlsbad.
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