The San Diego Humane Society's Humane Law Enforcement reached out to the public on Wednesday for information to help identify two horses found abandoned one week apart at a staging area corral in the Tijuana River Valley Regional Park.
The first horse was found Nov. 21 and the second on Sunday, according to Nina Thompson of the humane society. Both horses were in poor condition and taken to San Diego Humane Society's Escondido Campus for treatment.
Humane Law Enforcement’s Lieutenant Regina Price said the first horse was found with a note that said “bring animal control.”
“Both times the horses had no food or water. So had a member of the public not seen them, the animals could have succumbed to dehydration and starvation,” Price said.
After a detailed examination and X-rays, the medical team determined that the second horse was experiencing such severe pain that the only option was euthanasia, Thompson said.
“We have reason to believe that the horses possibly came from the same owner or ranch, because upon putting them next to each other at our Escondido campus they appeared to be familiar with each other, they were whinnying at each other,” said Price.
The first rescued horse, a male Quarter mix, will remain at the Escondido Campus until he is healthy and next steps can be determined, pending the investigation, Thompson said.
Saving Horses Inc. Founder and President Audrey Reynolds has rescued horses in San Diego County for over a decade.
She said her North County organization has dealt with a higher level of neglect since the pandemic, as the price of feeding and caring for horses has gone up.
“Rescues are full and funding is not like it used to be,” Reynolds said. “Prior to COVID, we didn't seem to have a problem raising funds and now since COVID it just seems nobody wants to put their hand in their pocket to help us out.”
Under California law, it is illegal to abandon an animal.
"We are here to help, so please reach out to us before you leave an animal to fend for themselves," San Diego Humane Society Chief of Humane Law Enforcement Jace Huggins said. "We also ask the public to speak up if they know something, so we can ensure that no additional horses are left without essential care, such as food and water."
Anyone with information about the abandonment of the horses was asked to call the society's Humane Law Enforcement at 619-299-7012 and press 1 for dispatch.
