16 Malnourished Horses Rescued In Murrieta

MURRIETA (CBS) — Sixteen thoroughbreds were rescued from a boarding facility in LaCresta by Riverside County Animal Services Thursday.

Animal Control officers described the horses as malnourished and in need of medical attention. One described their condition as "shocking" and "appalling and neglectful."

Greg Mills, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, spoke to the owner of the boarding facility, Janice Deutsch, and she maintains the horses are well cared for. "These horses have a good home. They are loved," she said. "They are extremely well taken care of."

She says the County was "pure stealing" her horses.  "It's outrageous." Deutsch owns eight, the others are boarders at her facility located in the LaCresta area of Murrieta, an upscale and rural area known to cater to horse-lovers. She moved to LaCresta two years ago from Orange County.

The County told Mills they've been working with Deutsch for almost a year to ensure the horses are well-fed but felt they needed to be removed because of inadequate care. Deutsch says she has proof that   she has purchased the feed but that Riverside County wouldn't look at her receipts.

He also talked with the veterinarian who contends he found a lack of "quantity or quality of food" for 16 horses on the property.

The horses were taken to an undisclosed location.

Mills reports a hearing will be held to determine if taking the horses was warranted. If so, the horses will be placed in foster care.