Horse found 'at death's door' ready for adoption

Horse found 'at death's door' ready for adoption

UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM

10:59 a.m. September 8, 2008

SAN DIEGO – A horse who had recently given birth and was found nearly starved to death in a corral has been nursed back to health and is ready for adoption.

The 12-year-old, light bay quarter horse named Simone shown before and after it has been nursed back to health.

The 12-year-old, light bay quarter horse, who has been named Simone, was found in a corral at a Campo home in late June, said John Carlson, the regional director of the county Department of Animal Services.

“She was at death's door,” Carlson said in an interview. “All she needed was food and water. That's what makes this so egregious.”

Animal control officers went to the home after Border Patrol agents found the severely neglected horse, Carlson said.

She had no water and the hay in the corral was out of reach. Her foal, which appeared to have been dead for some time, was found nearby.

“She is just a sweetheart and there is no excuse for the treatment she received,” Carlson said.

A dog on the property, which was found in an area with no shelter, was also seized, Carlson said.

The animal's owner has been charged with felony animal neglect and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 21 in Superior Court, Carlson said.

Anyone interested in adopting the mare can fill out an application and submit a sealed bid. After the applications are screened, the one with the highest bid will be chosen, Carlson said.