Warning: Some people may consider some of the information in this story very graphic.
PRUNEDALE, Calif- A veterinarian with the Monterey County SPCA had to euthanize a horse that was found severely neglected on Compagna Way off Elkhorn Road in Prunedale.
The horse, a bay gelding believed to be in his mid-20's, was left alone with no shelter during the weekend storm, exposed to cold temperatures, rain, hail, and high winds, said the SPCA.
Monterey County Equine veterinary services was called to the scene by the SPCA. The horse was suffering from fistulous withers, which is a painful, chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by pus-filled wounds and swelling. The wounds were infested with maggots. The horse also had a fungal infection all over his body.
Due to the horse's grave prognosis and the severity of its pain a veterinarian had to euthanize it at the scene.
An anonymous witness reported seeing a pick-up truck with an older, white, two-door trailer abandon the horse on Saturday night at approximately 10:00 pm. The horse had a white star off to left of his face and one white sock on his left hind leg.
If you have any information about this horse or its owners please contact Monterey County Sheriff's Department at 831-755-5111 or the SPCA at 831-373-2631. If caught, the owners could potentially be charged with the following offenses: California Penal Code Sections 597.1 (Permitting Animals to go Without Veterinary Care), Penal Code 597 (Animal Cruelty), Penal Code 597(b) (Deprivation of Food, Water, and Shelter), and Penal Code 597s (Abandonment).
