SAN ELIZARIO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Deputies arrested a 61-year-old man on Friday after authorities rescued about 100 malnourished animals living in poor conditions in San Elizario.
According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Santos Gordillo Torres was arrested and charged with four counts of cruelty to livestock animals after approximately 100 animals were rescued from two properties located on the 13500 block of Chicken Ranch Road. Among the animals rescued were horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, chickens, roosters and peacocks.
The investigation
The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation started on July 26, after deputies responded to the area to help the El Paso County Animal Welfare Unit with an animal cruelty investigation after dozens of malnourished animals were found to be living in unsanitary conditions and showing signs of neglect, without adequate access to food and water, and many of them needing medical treatment.
As the investigation continued, detectives found more neglected animals at a second, neighboring property.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by KFOX14/CBS4, a total of 55 horses, two donkeys, 19 pigs, three peacocks, two chickens, four roosters and 12 sheep/goats were showing signs of malnourishment, mistreatment and neglect. The horses appeared thin, with their ribs, spine, tailhead and hips showing, and many with overgrown hooves.
Torres, who had been identified as the property owner, voluntarily surrendered 13 horses and 6 pigs after he was told the animals needed immediate care from a veterinarian.
The next day, on July 27, investigators returned to the properties to check on the situation.
According to the complaint, Torres told investigators he had taken steps to improve the health and well-being of the animals, contacting a veterinarian and swapping the horses’ food, as he had been giving them racehorse food, which doesn’t allow them to gain weight. However, investigators claim that Torres couldn’t share any specific information regarding who the veterinarian was, any contact information, or give a time and date for an appointment.
During this second visit, in the complaint, investigators noted more issues:
Some horses had wounds they were still bleeding from.Some horses were tied to a fence with ropes approximately two feet long. One horse dropped on its side and had trouble standing up. Seven pigs were kept in a small horse trailer with temperatures inside reaching 170 degrees. 12 pigs, with overgrown nails, were confined in temperatures reaching 120 degreesThe animals’ living area was full of feces.
That day, Torres was reportedly taken to the Clint Patrol Station, where investigators interviewed him.
During the interview, Torres reportedly revealed he is a concrete worker by trade but had been unemployed for approximately two months. He also said he dedicates most of his time to renting out miniature ponies, allegedly admitting that he does not have any formal training or education on the raising and caring for livestock animals.
Regarding medical care, Torres said a veterinarian– allegedly licensed in Mexico– cares for some of the horses, and friends help him tend and trim the horses’ hooves.
Investigators note that it appears that Torres’ financial situation, as well as “medical condition” on his shoulders and knees, keep him from properly tending to the animals, but add that Torres also failed to know certain aspects about caring for horses, failing to know that their hooves need to be routinely trimmed every six to eight weeks. Furthermore, investigators pointed out that Torres has been investigated for animal cruelty twice before, once on Nov. 14, 2023, when he surrendered to authorities 15 horses that were sick or injured.
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The arrest
On July 30, detectives obtained four warrants for Torres’s arrest.
Torres was arrested the next day, on July 31, “without incident,” the Sheriff’s Office stated.
Jail records show Torres was booked the same day into the El Paso County Downtown jail, where he was held under a combined bond of $60,000 ($15,000 for each count), until Saturday when he was released after posting a surety bond.
The animals
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the rescued animals were taken to Gracey’s Rescue Ranch for care. Gracey’s Rescue Ranch is located at 6400 Charolais Dr. in Far East El Paso County.
Following a civil hearing, the Sheriff’s Office said the court gave 69 of the rescued animals to the rescue ranch, where authorities said they will receive treatment.
Regarding the other animals, the Sheriff’s Office said their future remains pending.
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What’s next?
The Sheriff’s Office said the case is still under investigation and believes more criminal charges could be coming against Torres.
Meanwhile, KFOX14/CBS4 has reached out to Gracey’s Rescue Ranch for an interview to learn more about the condition of the rescued animals.
You can find Gracey’s Rescue Ranch on Instagram.
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