.JPG)
Horses are being neglected, underfed and abandoned in San Diego County and the high price of feed is partly to blame.
Since the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, the Department of Animal Services (DAS) has rescued 15 horses. To put that in perspective, DAS rescued 10 horses in fiscal year 2010-11. That number jumped to 26 in fiscal year 2011-12 and if the current trend continues, DAS could see a record number of horse rescues this year.
“In this economy, everyone is being forced to tighten their belts and the costs of hay and veterinary care for horses can get prohibitively expensive,” said Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson. “The current prices for a bale of hay ranges from $19 to $29 and the high cost can be tied to competition for the hay, drought and even the ever-increasing price of gasoline.”
The most recent rescue came after a call last week about an abandoned horse at the Tijuana Valley Regional Park in San Ysidro. When animal control officers responded, they found an underweight 16-year-old thoroughbred that someone had tied up and left in a corral.
Last month, DAS rescued a 15-year-old gelding from the same area suffering from several tumors and hooves that were overgrown. That horse was treated and is now available for adoption at the County shelter in Bonita. In August, animal control officers rescued an emaciated stallion with infected injuries to his face. The horse has since been adopted.
While those horses are now on the mend, DAS investigators are keeping an eye on others in the County. They received a call about 10 horses that were “skin and bones” in Valley Center last July. The animals weren’t seized because the horse-breeder was cooperative about improving their care. A county-appointed veterinarian makes regular visits to make sure the animals’ health is improving. They should be up to their regular weight by November.
“Horse owners should be aware that there is help for those struggling to feed and care for their animals,” said Danielson.
Owners can contact either the San Diego Horse Coalition or the Unwanted Horse Coalition for assistance or other options available to the horse owner. It is a crime to abandon or neglect your horse or any animal in your care.
If you see animals that may need help, call the County Animals Services’ dispatch line at (619) 236-2341 or the general line at (619) 767-2675.
Anyone interested in adopting rescued horses or any of the other animals from the County shelters can visit Animal Services adoptions page for more information. The three shelters are open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and are located at 5480 Gaines St., San Diego; 2481 Palomar Airport Rd., Carlsbad; and 5821 Sweetwater Rd., Bonita.
