More Than 1000 Farm Animals Rescued From Illegal Boarding Facility In Northern California

Heartbreaking images from KSBW News were supplied by SPCA

Llamas, horses, cows, goats, ducks, chickens, sheep and pigs, were among the more than 1,000 farm animals recently rescued from a remote rural ranch that served as an illegal boarding facility in Soledad, a Northern California city.

The heartbreaking discovery last week revealed that many of the animals were injured and starving.

Several of the ailing animals have tragically died as a result, including a suffering calf and steer that had to be humanely euthanized, followed by another baby cow that died yesterday from emaciation and pneumonia.

According to Beth Brookhouser of the Monterey County SPCA, the owner of the ranch consented to allow the animals that were in critical condition to receive emergency medical treatment, after they were found on the man’s property on August 9th.

The unnamed owner was ordered by the Monterey County Building and Planning Department to “shut down the facility, evict all tenants, and dismantle the illegal structures.”

Additionally, SPCA officers, who are continuing to monitor his actions, mandated the owner to provide food, water, shelter and medical care for the animals that remained, though now only temporarily, on the property.

The owner, who had questionable records, and little or no contact information for his boarding clients, is reportedly being fined $1,000.00 dollars per day by county officials until he complies with the imposed terms.

As of now, there is no information on what charges and other penalties the ranch owner may face; but we hope there are many so that he is held accountable for the horrendous conditions and treatment the animals received while under his “care.”

As per KSBW News, the owners of the illegally housed animals could also potentially be charged with the following offenses: California Penal Code Sections 597.1 (Permitting Animals to go Without Veterinary Care), Penal Code 597 (Animal Cruelty), Penal Code 597(b) (Deprivation of Food, Water, and Shelter), and Penal Code 597s (Abandonment).

Local SPCA officers continue to search for the owners and request that anyone who suspects an animal is being treated inhumanely, to immediately call the SPCA at 831-373-2631 or report it online at: www.SPCAmc.org/report-cruelty.

Donations can be made to the Monterey County SPCA Here!