A California woman is facing criminal charges after police discovered 27 dead horses on her properties and many more near starvation, along with a short-barreled shotgun.
Jan Johnson of Clements was charged with cruelty to an animal, threatening a public official, criminal threats, and possession of a short-barrel shotgun, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's office stated.
Police searched multiple properties as part of an animal neglect investigation and executed a search warrant. They found numerous malnourished horses that had limited access to food or water. Officers also found 27 dead horses on the property.
Investigators and veterinarians on the scene began to triage the animals and evaluate their conditions. Although 16 horses were rescued, four horses and one bull had to be euthanized. The rescued horses were sent to the Oakdale Equine Rescue facility.
"Animal services officers and veterinarians are still currently evaluating additional horses and animals due to the size of the property," a statement from the sheriff's office reads. "We are committed to protecting the welfare of all animals in our community and will continue to investigate this matter. If you have any information related to this case, please contact our office."
