Open Cases
SPCA Rescues Neglected Horses - Guilty Verdict in Case
A south Monterey County man has been found guilty of failure to care for his animals after the SPCA for Monterey County rescued six emaciated horses and discovered one dead horse on his property.
Armando Chavez, 41, of San Lucas was found guilty of one count of 597.1 PC – Permitting animals to go without care, on Wednesday after a jury trial. Chavez remains in custody at the Monterey County Jail with no bail until his sentencing hearing on April 25.
The case came to light when an anonymous witness called the SPCA in January 2011 to report that the dead horse and the other horses were in a field on the Lockwood-San Lucas Road. There was no food available in the pasture where the horses were found.
SPCA Humane Officers seized the emaciated horses and found the remains of another horse on the property. The day after the seizure, Humane Officers drove to Chavez’s ranch in South County to inquire about the horses. SPCA Humane Officers had a previous history with Chavez in regards horses kept on his property. After questioning, Chavez admitted that the six horses seized belonged to him and he had recently moved them to the pasture on Lockwood-San Lucas Road.
Five of the horses, Nutmeg, Star, Aspen, Cloud, and Duke were nursed back to health and adopted into new homes. One horse, Sedona, had to be humanely euthanized due to chronic painful laminitis.
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SPCA Rescues Emaciated Former Police Dog
Ingo shortly after rescue
A photo showing Ingo's prominent ribs
Ingo the day he was rescued
The SPCA for Monterey County rescued a severely emaciated German shepherd. The dog was previously a police K9 officer and belonged to a former Watsonville police officer. The District Attorney’s Office recently filed charges against the suspect, Francisco Ibarra. Ibarra pleaded not guilty to both charges in a Monterey County court. Ibarra is representing himself in the case and is due back in court June 19 for a pre-trial hearing.
The five year old dog was found at the Salinas residence of former police officer Francisco Ibarra. The dog’s hips and ribs were prominently showing and there was no food in the backyard. SPCA Humane Officers seized the dog on February 17 after giving Ibarra a 24 hours’ notice to contact the SPCA and receiving no response.
The emaciated and dehydrated dog, later identified as former K9 officer Ingo, was immediately evaluated by a Veterinarian who gave him 1 body condition score. The canine Body Condition Score chart goes from 1-5 with 1 being emaciated, 3 considered ideal, and 5 being obese. A score of 1 reflects that ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and all body prominences are evident from a distance; no discernible body fat; and obvious absence of muscle mass.
X-rays revealed Ingo’s stomach was filled with what appeared to be sand or dirt. The next day he passed pieces of green plastic, dirt, sand, hair, and grass. He is slowly recovering and gaining weight on a specialized diet on a prescribed feeding schedule.
There does not appear to be a medical reason for his emaciation. At his time of rescue in March he weighed 55 lbs. An average adult male German shepherd of his size should weigh 80 to 90 pounds. As of May 1st, he weighs 80 pounds.
To report animal cruelty and neglect, please contact the SPCA at 831-373-2631. All calls are confidential. To donate to help animals like Ingo, please call the SPCA or donate online.
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The SPCA Offers $1,000 Reward in Heartbreaking Horse Abuse and Abandonment Case
The SPCA for Monterey County is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who abandoned a severely neglected horse on Saturday, March 17. The horse, a bay gelding believed to be in his mid-20’s, was found loose on Compagna Way off Elkhorn Road in Prunedale.
An anonymous witness reported seeing a pick-up truck with an older, white, two-door trailer abandon the horse on Saturday night at approximately 10:00 pm. The horse was left alone with no shelter during the weekend storm, exposed to cold temperatures, rain, hail, and high winds.
The horse, an emaciated 25 year old bay gelding, possibly a Quarter Horse cross, suffered from fistulous withers, which is a painful, chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by pus-filled wounds and swelling. The wound was infested with maggots. He also had a Body Condition Score of 1.0 using the Henneke Scoring System, a scientific method of evaluating a horse's body condition regardless of breed, body type, sex or age. Horses can score from 1-9 with 5 being ideal weight. In addition, his teeth had not been cared for in quite some time and he suffered from a fungal infection all over his body.
Due to the severity of the horse’s neglect, Monterey County Equine veterinary services was called to the scene by the SPCA. Dr. Brown performed a physical exam of the horse and due the severity of his condition, extreme pain, and grave prognosis, the veterinarian recommended and performed humane euthanasia at the scene.
The bay gelding had white star off to left of his face and one white sock on his left hind leg.
If you have any information about this case or can identify the horse, please contact Monterey County Sheriff’s Department at 831-755-5111 or the SPCA at 831-373-2631. All calls are confidential. To donate to help abused and neglected animals, please call the SPCA at 831-264-5421 or donate online.
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News Stories
SPCA Caring for Abused Horse
This horse, a ten year old Thoroughbred gelding, was rescued on Sunday after Monterey County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to Moss Landing to a report of possible cruelty to a horse. The horse, who the SPCA is calling Owen, suffered lacerations to it legs, a swollen left eye, and blood coming from his nose. A suspect was arrested at the scene. Owen is now safe at the SPCA and receiving medical care and lots of TLC.
Frosty has been Rescued
Frosty has been found as is undergoing emergency surgery for a major eye injury at The SPCA for Monterey County. He is thin, dehydrated, has grease marks on his back, and has many ticks but is in good spirits and very friendly.
Timeline:
- 12/1: The Santa Cruz SPCA fosters Frosty out to a family in Seaside. That day, Frosty escapes from their home and will not return. The foster family is not suspected of any wrong doing.
- 12/5: A report comes in that Frosty was thrown from a vehicle near the Lighthouse Tunnel in Monterey. Another 911 report states Frosty was hit by the vehicle, not thrown. The SPCA for Monterey County is investigating but at this point we believe Frosty was hit, not thrown. If you witnessed this event, please call the SPCA for Monterey County at 831-373-2631. All calls are confidential.
- 12/5 – 12/13: Reports of Frosty sightings range throughout Monterey.
- 12/14: Frosty was found by a resident on Manor Rd off of Aguajito in Monterey. The home owner spotted Frosty in her yard and when she confirmed that he did not belong to her gardener, she brought him into her house and contacted the SPCA.
- Frosty has been adopted.
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Update: SPCA Offers Reward for Information about Abandoned Puppies
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In November, seven puppies were rescued by SPCA Humane Officers on November 16. Those puppies, Grover, Elmo, Bert, Ernie, Lily, Zoe, and Felix blossomed under the SPCA’s care. (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheSPCA) and have since been adopted. Their story has tugged at people’s heartstrings and the list of potential adopters quickly grew to over 100 names long.
When they were rescued, the puppies were approximately 2 ½ months old, hungry, dehydrated, flea-infested, and suffering from foxtails and worms when they were rescued. Tire tracks found on the property led Humane Officers to believe that the suspect drove to the fence line and tossed the puppies over.
If you have any information about this case, please contact The SPCA at 831-373-2631 or 422-4721 x213. All calls are completely confidential. To learn how you can help, report animal cruelty and neglect, or donate to help rescue animals please call the SPCA or donate online at www.SPCAmc.org.
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SPCA Rescues Four Neglected Horses in Castroville
SPCA for Monterey County Humane Officers seized three neglected mares and one foal from a property on Long Valley Rd. near Elkhorn Rd. in Castroville.
SPCA Humane Officers had been working with the horse owners since March of 2011 but last week when investigators arrived at the location they confirmed that multiple horses were in an emaciated condition. During the investigation it was determined several horses required immediate veterinary care. These horses were seized by SPCA Humane Officers and transported to the SPCA shelter for immediate veterinary treatment.
Update on Rescued Horses:
Peli: Peli is emaciated and scores just a 1 (the lowest possible score) on the Henneke Body Condition Scoring System (BCS). Veterinarians believe she is 5 months pregnant. Due to her extreme level of malnutrition we do not yet know if the foal is viable. We are monitoring her condition very closely. The Veterinarian floated her teeth (horse’s teeth grow constantly and need to be filed down routinely) as she was suffering from severe edges and hooks as well as the beginnings of oral ulcers.
Princessa: Confirmed as a 1.5 BCS. Her teeth are in such poor condition that she requires a specialized diet. She is suffering from severe arthritis that is impacting her quality of life.
Reyna: Reyna is confirmed as a 2.5 BCS and suffers from a severe lice infestation. Veterinarians suspect she is not producing enough milk for her foal.
Danny: Danny is between 2 and 3 months old and has a 2.0 BCS. He is covered in lice and bite marks. He was suffering from dehydration. The day they were seized, Reyna and Danny were without water and when water was offered, they drank for 4 minutes and 36 seconds.
All three mares suffer from heart murmurs, prolapsed vaginas, had sand in their stomachs, have teeth in very poor condition, and were in significant need of hoof care.
The investigation is ongoing and the SPCA asking for assistance from the public regarding any individuals who may have purchased horses from this location.
To learn how you can help, put your name on a list of potential adopters, or report animal cruelty and neglect, please contact The SPCA at 831-373-2631. To donate to the care and medical treatment of the rescued animals, please call The SPCA or donate online.
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SPCA Rescues 73 Animals from Hoarder in Castroville
The SPCA for Monterey County rescued 28 rabbits, three dogs, one newborn puppy, 19 doves, and 22 chickens from an inhumane and unsanitary situation in Castroville on Thursday, May 26.
SPCA Humane Officers were responding to a call on a nearby property when they discovered a house with pets kept in small cages. Upon investigation, SPCA Humane Officers found that the animals were in feces-filled cages, most with no food or water. In instances where the pets had water available to them, the water was filthy and undrinkable.
To learn how you can help, put your name on a list of potential adopters, or report animal cruelty, please contact The SPCA at 831-373-2631. To donate to the care and medical treatment of the rescued animals, please call The SPCA or donate online.
News Coverage:
5/27/2011 - Salinas Californian animal rescue slideshow
5/26/2011 - KSBW news story "More Than 70 Animals Found In Castroville Home"
SPCA Rescues 41 Cats from Hoarder in Southern Monterey County
On Thursday, March 17, nine days after rescuing 29 cats and kittens from a hoarder in Southern Monterey County, SPCA Humane Investigators returned to the scene with a search warrant following investigative efforts that led us to believe additional cats were hidden on the property.
SPCA Humane Officers found and seized 12 additional cats and two dogs. A deceased cat was also discovered on the property.
As with the earlier case, the 12 cats were discovered in horrific conditions in one of the old, dilapidated camper trailers that had been thoroughly searched and cleared of cats during the prior investigation on March 8th.
After the rescue, the cats and dogs were brought to the SPCA shelter where SPCA staff worked late into the evening to give each cat vaccinations and a thorough medical evaluation. The majority of the cats are suffering from upper respiratory infections. They are now being treated for their illnesses and enjoying fresh food, clean water, and comfortable bedding.
The property where the cats were found had no electricity or water. The situation was originally discovered by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Code Enforcement Officers. This multi-agency collaboration also included Adult Protective Services.
SPCA Humane Investigations officers will be filing charges with the District Attorney’s Office against the hoarder for multiple counts of animal abuse under the California State Penal Code.
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SPCA for Monterey County Issues Warning and Reward:
Man Practicing Veterinary Medicine without License in California
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Updated 2/3: Thanks to the generous support of our concerned community plus an additional $500 from the Santa Cruz SPCA (all SPCAs are independent and not chapters of each other) the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Damian Maldonado is now up to $5,000. The SPCA for Monterey County originally offered a $1,000 reward in this case.
Maldonado is described as a Hispanic adult male, approximately 32 years old, weighing 200-210 lbs, and 5’8” to 5’10” in height. His business card states that he operates “El Cartel Bully Kennels” and provides veterinary medical services. He offers the following services, many of which are illegal without a veterinary license: general consultations, vaccinations, deworming, general surgeries, supplements, accessories, vitamins, artificial insemination, stud services, and puppy sales.
The SPCA has now found four canine victims of a man falsely representing himself as a licensed Veterinarian. The SPCA is also seeking information about a potential fifth victim, a Doberman puppy found four weeks ago.
Two pit bull puppies, known as Frankie and Anna, are safe at the SPCA. Today they are bright, alert, and receiving appropriate antibiotics and pain medication. A third pit bull puppy received licensed vet care and is still with his owner. The fourth puppy, a Doberman pinscher, is now on pain medication and antibiotics and recovering at his owner's home.
The pit bull puppies were surrendered to the SPCA on Friday, January 21 after their owner, a Soledad resident, hired Maldonado to crop the ears on three of his puppies. Maldonado charged the owner $100 per puppy to perform the procedure in the owner’s backyard on a makeshift table using fishing line as suture material.
The Doberman puppy's illegal surgery was performed in the owner’s Salinas living room on a plastic folding table. Maldonado placed sticks 1 ½ to 2” inside the puppy’s ear canal to hold the puppy’s ear up, sewed the cuts with fishing line, and wrapped tape directly on the open wounds. Licensed Veterinarians noted that the ears were not cropped by a trained vet, that there was not enough ear cartilage left to support the ears correctly, and that the tail was cropped too closely to the puppy’s body.
If apprehended, Maldonado could be charged with violation of the Drug Enforcement Administration regulations, practicing veterinary medicine without a license, and a variety of Penal Code violations for cruelty to animals.
If you have any information about this case or if you and your pet have been victims of Maldonado, please contact The SPCA at 831-373-2631 or 422-4721 x213 or report online. All reports are completely confidential.
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Lily Before and After
Severely Matted Stray Dog Rescued by SPCA
On April 16th, The SPCA rescued a severely matted stray dog. The dog, named Lily by SPCA staff, was found sleeping on Broadway Avenue near Luzern Street in Seaside. She was immediately brought to The SPCA shelter for care.
Lily, a six year old miniature poodle mix, was thin and severely matted. As you can see from these photos, she was so matted that her eyes and paws were not visible. Her paws were so matted that we could not feel her feet at all - it was as if she was wearing multiple pairs of very thick winter socks.
From the moment Lily arrived at The SPCA, she was very loving and quick to give kisses to anyone who came close. She was not microchipped and did not have an ID tag. No owner has come forward to find her.
During examination, SPCA Veterinarian Carol Iida found that Lily had cataracts and a large dermal mass that was left untreated. The severe lack of grooming left both these conditions practically invisible under all the tangled hair.
Lily was quickly groomed and turned from a matted cream-colored dog into an adorable, sparkling-white poodle. Dr. Iida removed the dermal mass during her spay surgery, and although she's sporting a few stitches, Lily is now available for adoption. Special thanks to Jessica Paquelier, Mid-Valley Pet Spa, for donating grooming services.
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A Heartwarming Reunion at the SPCA
On Thursday, May 14th, a heartwarming reunion took place at The SPCA for Monterey County between a rescued mare and the former owner who for years has regretted selling her.
Mesa, a 19 year old Quarter horse mare, was rescued in September 2008 from a neglectful owner. Mesa was approximately 300 lbs underweight, her feet were in very poor condition, and she had a young foal by her side. The owner was unable to meet the conditions required to reclaim her.
Mesa’s foal was adopted on April 9, but Mesa was still waiting for a new home. The SPCA faced a challenge finding a new lifelong home for Mesa, an older, unrideable horse.
Meanwhile, Mesa’s former owner, Tracie Greco of Eagle Mountain, UT, had been regretting selling her ever since 2005. “I've always tried to keep in touch with the people that I've sold horses to,” says Greco. “I guess Mesa was the ‘one that got away’.” One day, while browsing horse ads online, she came across The SPCA’s ad for Mesa and knew it had to be her former horse.
“It breaks my heart to know Mesa was treated so poorly after she left me,” says Greco. “I'm so grateful that The SPCA saved her. Now I need to get her back home where she belongs.”
The SPCA is waiving Mesa’s adoption fee and they look forward to hearing stories about Mesa's life in Utah.
“Unfortunately, this can happen when you sell any animal,” says Gary Tiscornia, SPCA Executive Director. “Many horse owners, at least subconsciously, prefer not to know what became of their old horses. We are thrilled that Tracie never stopped looking for Mesa and we are honored to be a part of this poignant reunion.”
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