by An malnourished horse that has since vanished from a Rancho Santa Fe farm was the subject of an investigation by the county’s Department of Animal Services and the district attorney’s office.
According to county officials, an animal services officer was sent to the property in the 7600 block of Artesian Road Tuesday night after seeing a photo of the animal.
The veterinarian who was in charge of the animals’ health on the site informed the officer that she planned to put two elderly horses to death there on Monday but lacked the tools necessary to remove their remains, despite county officials claiming the horse was spotted there.
It was decided to perform the euthanasia the next morning in front of animal services officials.
The veterinarian, according to county officials, never showed there, claimed to have had an emergency and had the horse taken away before the officers arrived, and declined to produce any paperwork proving the animal had been put down.
Get neighborhood news in your inbox. It’s free and enlightening.
Become one of the 20,000+ individuals who receive breaking news alerts and the Times of San Diego in their inbox every day at 8 a.m.
Weekly updates from San Diego communities have also been provided! You acknowledge and agree to the terms by clicking “Sign Up.” Choose from the options below.
According to county officials, criminal charges may be brought unless they can provide evidence that the horse was humanely put down within 48 hours or received the necessary veterinary care.
Animal services is evaluating the condition of the second horse, which is still on the farm. The county claims to be collaborating with prosecutors to look into the other horse’s whereabouts and state.
