Animal Control Officer Gary Pahls arrested Francisco Javier Ponce, 40, on suspicion of felony animal cruelty for failing to provide veterinary care for an injured horse.
On Tuesday (Feb. 15) Animal Services officers responded to a home in the 6000 block of Marlatt Street after receiving a tip from a county agency about the dilapidated horse.
When animal control officers arrived, they found the injured horse. The horse suffered ruptured tendons in its back right leg. The injuries were so severe, the officers contacted Riverside County Animal Services Chief Veterinarian Dr. Allan Drusys to euthanize the animal. The owner consented to the euthanasia.
While investigating the horse's injuries, officers also discovered more than 100 illegal, cockfighting roosters. Officers also gathered cockfighting paraphernalia found on the property. The owners signed over the fighting birds to the Department of Animal Services for humane euthanasia.
It is illegal in the state of California to own birds for fighting. Possessing blades used in illegal cockfights can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor in Riverside County Superior Court.
Officer Pahls escorted Mr. Ponce to a waiting Riverside County sheriff's deputy's unit for transport to the Robert Presley Detention Center in downtown Riverside.
(Inland SoCal - February 15, 2011)
