San Joaquin County sheriff’s deputies and Animal Services officers found deplorable conditions, malnourished animals and 27 dead horses at a ranch in Clements, about 25 miles northeast of Stockton, officials said.
The team made the grim discovery Wednesday as part of an animal neglect investigation. Officers had gone to the ranch to execute a search warrant in connection with the probe.
Several animals were found malnourished and lacking access to food or water, officials said. With the help of veterinarians summoned to the ranch, the crew was able to rescue 16 horses. They were taken to Oakdale Equine Rescue to be nursed back to health.
But four horses and one bull were in such bad shape they had to be euthanized, according to deputies.
Deputies arrested Jan Johnson of Clements. She was taken to the San Joaquin County jail and booked on suspicion of cruelty to an animal, threatening a public officer, criminal threats and possession of a short-barreled shotgun, authorities said.