Anonymous
Source: Santa Barbara County Animal Services
On Thursday, October 18, 2018, Santa Barbara County Animal Services received a call of a sick horse dumped in the 6000 block of Dominion Road in Santa Maria. When Animal Control Officers arrived they were led to a Bay Thoroughbred mare, approximately 16 hands tall, very thin, with open abscesses on her neck, swelling on her abdomen and chest, and a few abrasions on her back (see included images).
The mare was transported to an equine veterinary hospital for care and her prognosis at this time is guarded.
Community members watched as the horse was unloaded from the trailer and the driver quickly fled. Santa Barbara County Animal Services has received photos of the vehicle and trailer used when the horse was dumped but the license plate was not legible. The vehicle appears to be a tan colored Suburban and the trailer appears to be a brown and white, two horse, bumper pull, trailer (see included images).
We are seeking the public’s help to identify the person responsible for abandoning this horse. If you recognize this vehicle or have any information that may assist with this investigation, you are urged to contact Santa Barbara County Animal Services at 805-934-6119 dial extension 6.
Santa Barbara County Animal Services takes animal abuse very seriously. Abandonment is illegal and punishable by California Penal Code 597s. Santa Barbara County is an animal friendly community and there are many resources available to animal owners who feel they can no longer provide care for their animals.
Santa Barbara County Animal Services is committed to the welfare of all animal species in Santa Barbara County. Donations to help with the care of this horse and other abandoned animals can be made at www.sbcanimalservices.org. Once medically cleared, this abandoned mare will be searching for a new pasture. If you are interested in meeting her once cleared send an email to smadoption@sbcphd.org.
How disgusting!! No telling how long that horse suffered abuse from so-called p.o.s. carers.
Says an investigation is pending, so that means that maybe they will be punished. The punishment is usually not very severe, however.
We need much harsher punishments for animal cruelty. As we evolve, we understand how much more sentient animals are than we give them credit for. If they could speak, mankind would weep. STRICTER PUNISHMENTS FOR ANIMAL ABUSERS! Lawmakers, listen UP!
100% agree. We need harsher punishments for animal abuse. Disgusting.
I am one who is down voting calls for vengeance and retribution. The idea that “harsher” punishment is effective is the same as the call for more violence in raising children. Sharia Law is full of this sort of stuff. Modern societies work to temper punishment to be effective in accomplishing the goal of less antisocial behavior. Europe has extremely less crime and extremely lower punishments.