In a release<\/a>, Sheriff Billy Woods said that investigators responded to Happy Valley Horse Rescue along 95th Avenue Road back in November in response to an anonymous complaint about neglected horses.<\/p>\nUpon arrival, they contacted two people \u2014 David Palacio, 57; and Janine Chaux, 58 \u2014 who offered to give them a tour of the property and horses, the release shows.<\/p>\n
Janine Chaux, 58; and David Palacio, 57 (Marion County Sheriff’s Office)<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough their investigation, investigators found that most of the horses were underweight, with bony structures visible, hooves in deplorable condition, and some appearing to be in pain while walking,\u201d the release reads.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the barn stalls hadn\u2019t been cleared of excrement and soiled bedding for quite some time, Woods added.<\/p>\n
Deputies said that barn stalls hadn’t been properly cleaned for some time. (Marion County Sheriff’s Office)<\/p>\n
However, Palacio and Chaux weren\u2019t able to explain the neglect, nor were they able to provide a total number of horses on the property, the MCSO noted.<\/p>\n
MCSO personnel said they later searched the rescue and came up with 69 horses. Another 17 horses in Chaux\u2019s care were found on a neighboring property. A veterinarian reportedly examined the animals and found that over 30 of the horses were either emaciated or close to it.<\/p>\n
An image of one of the horses (Marion County Sheriff’s Office)<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo of the horses were in such poor condition that medical professionals determined that euthanasia was the most humane option,\u201d the release continues.<\/p>\n
As a result of these discoveries, both Palacio and Chaux were arrested on Monday, and now face 22 counts of aggravated animal cruelty and 16 counts of animal cruelty. They were each held on bond of $71,000.<\/p>\n
That said, the seized horses were taken to the MCSO Agriculture Investigations Farm for treatment, where they were successfully rehabilitated, Woods declared.<\/p>\n
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