15 Horses Rescued From Ramona Property; Owner Accused of Neglect

RAMONA, CA: An investigation into alleged animal neglect in Ramona ended this week when 15 horses were removed from their owner's property.

The San Diego County Department of Animal Services removed the horses after determining the animals were "suffering dangerous neglect, without adequate food and care," county officials said Friday.

Periodic complaints about the care of the horses date back to 2009, officials said.

For the last month, animal services officers had been trying to work with the owner to provide adequate food and care for the equines.

But Sunday, they took steps to remove three of the horses who were allegedly underweight by between 150 and 300 pounds.

“The owner was not providing the necessary care to improve the health of her horses which left us no choice but to seize the animals and take them into protective custody,” said County Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson. 

Following the initial removal Sunday of three horses, the county says the owner requested an administrative hearing in an effort to challenge whether Animal Services had the grounds to remove them — and whether 12 additional horses should be removed because of inadequate care.

"A hearing officer upheld the county’s concern and action Thursday afternoon, and Animal Services immediately rescued the remaining horses," officials said.

As of Friday, all of the animals were being cared for by veterinarians at the county's animal services center in Bonita. 

Officials say the owner could potentially regain custody of her horses if she can pay the cost of their impoundment, housing and medical care, and prove she can appropriately care for them. 

If she is not able to do so, officials say the horses may be adopted out once they are healthy enough. 

Animal control officers are also in the process of determining whether to submit the case to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office for criminal prosecution.