EPSO: Five horses seized in animal neglect case

(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) said five horses have been seized and taken to a rescue facility after deputies were alerted to reports of an animal neglect case on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

According to EPSO, on Sept. 10, EPSO received a call from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about several horses in poor health and living conditions in the 40000 block of Alta Vista Road in unincorporated El Paso County.

Deputies responded to the address and during the investigation found five horses on the property. EPSO said all five horses were malnourished and three were in extremely poor condition, and were rated as a one or a two on the Henneke Body Condition Scale, used to gauge the body fat of horses.

EPSO said there was no food on the property, there was a water source, however.

After the initial investigation, deputies determined the horses required urgent care. On Thursday, Sept. 12, deputies, along with the Colorado Brand Inspector, an equine veterinarian, and Colorado Humane returned to the property and seized all five horses, before transferring them to a local rescue facility and treating them for malnutrition and other health conditions.

Deputies cited 49-year-old Mindy Gonzales, who currently leases the property and owns the horses. EPSO said she is facing five misdemeanor counts of Animal Cruelty.

“I am grateful to the concerned citizen who reported the poor living conditions for these horses,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “If you own animals, as a pet, working partner, or stock, you are responsible for providing and caring for them. Let this be a firm warning: In El Paso County, we take reports of animal cruelty seriously and will thoroughly investigate any reports of abuse or neglect.”

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