The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Animal Crimes Unit seized three malnourished horses from a New River woman who said she was relying on “hobos” and “transients” to take care of the animals. The woman has not been arrested. She could face three counts of animal cruelty charges relating to the failure to provide medical treatment. MCSO continues to investigate her role in the situation.
Using a scientific body condition rating system, veterinarians diagnosed the seized animals with the worst possible score, quote: “All the bone structure is easily noticeable and the tail, head, and hook bones are prominently projecting with the ribs.” The horses have been turned over to Durango Equine Veterinary Clinic and are actively receiving emergency assistance.
The situation was discovered on September 13, 2017, when Detectives responded to a tip on the MCSO Animal Crimes Hotline reporting a “skinny horse” at 46855 N. New River Road. The individuals at that address owned the property but not the animals and referred MCSO to their absentee owner.
When contacted, the owner said she knew the horses were sick and underweight and admitted they had not received medical care in at least 18 months. The owner said she had trusted others – people she described as “hobos” and “transients” – to do the work, and they had failed. She allowed Detectives and a veterinarian to do a medical assessment, but refused to sign-over the animals. MCSO obtained a search warrant and seized them. The case remains open.