Five injured and malnourished horses were seized from a Simi Valley ranch over the weekend and are being nursed back to health, while the Ventura County Humane Society launches an investigation.
During their Saturday rescue, Auction Horses Rescue discovered equines that were underweight and suffered from open wounds, KTLA reports. The skeletal remains of two horses were also found.
"This is the worst I’ve ever seen,” Megan Gaynes, who runs the organization, told the network. “I’ve never encountered dead animals.”
Officer John Brockus of the humane society told Patch the horses were discovered at an unnamed ranch near Black Canyon Road and North American Cutoff Road, not far from Chatsworth.
He said Auction Horses Rescue seized the horses after getting permission from a representative of the property owner, who is being investigated by the humane society for neglect.
Some of the seized horses have already been adopted, Brockus said.
"We are following up with the ones that have been placed," he said. "They're still required to get that care that they need."
David Ramey, a veterinarian recently hired by a caretaker of the property, told KTLA there's been an overreaction and that the animals suffered their injuries from accidents. One horse with an open wound was being treated under his direction.
Ramey added that the amount of horses may simply have been too much for the owner.
This is a developing story, check back soon for more details.
Click here to see more video coverage of this story on KTLA's website.
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