Authorities in Riverside County have apprehended a local man after a distressing discovery of emaciated and neglected animals on his property in Cabazon. The Riverside County Animal Services conducted a raid on August 14, seizing a total of five horses, which displayed signs of severe malnutrition with "their ribs, hip point and spines were very prominent," as noted in a report by the Riverside County.
The investigation into the conditions at the property on Esperanza Avenue began in late July after an officer from Code Enforcement reported underweight horses, the owner initially claimed he was enduring hard times, and was attempting to provide for the horses to the best of his ability, however, when officers returned two days after their initial July 23 visit, no improvement in the animals' conditions was evident, despite the sweltering heat that soared past 100 degrees that day. As KTLA reports, Lt. Lesley Huennekens of Riverside County Animal Services expressed disappointment in the owner's refusal to rehome the animals or accept help, cautioning it could result in felony animal cruelty charges.
The owner, Rafael Leal, aged 58, now faces felony animal cruelty charges following the intervention by Animal Services; officers also impounded four dogs, six puppies, and 45 birds, mostly hens and roosters, which were found without any source of food or water, officers reported they could not locate any food for the birds, nor a water source for them. The seized animals, including the horses that were transported to the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter in Jurupa Valley, are to be assessed by veterinarians.
