Abandoned Horse Euthanized When Found With Pus- and Maggot-Filled Wounds

A severely neglected horse was abandoned and found Saturday in Prunedale and the SPCA for Monterey County is working to find the person responsible for the animal abuse.

The SPCA is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people who abandoned the horse, a bay gelding believed to have been in his mid-20s, on Campagna Way off Elkhorn Road.

Due to the severe condition of the horse's injuries, a Monterey County equine veterinarian euthanized the animal, who appeared to be in severe pain, at the scene where he had been found.

A witness told SPCA officials they had seen a pick-up truck with an older, white, two-door trailer abandon the horse on Saturday night around 10 p.m.

The horse, who was apparently emaciated, was suffering from fistulous withers, which is a painful, chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by pus-filled wounds and swelling. The wound was infested with maggots, according to SPCA officials.

The horse was also suffering from a fungal infection all over his body and had poorly maintained teeth.

The veterinarian that evaluated the horse gave him a grave prognosis, prompting officials to put him down, officials said.

The bay gelding was described as having a white star on the left side of his face and one white "sock" on his left hind leg.

Anyone with information about the abandoned horse is asked to call the Monterey County Sheriff's Office at (831) 264-5469.

— Bay City News

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