Published in the May 25 – June 7, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Trina Hineser

Trina Hineser

Trina Hineser

This April at the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance’s quarterly meeting, representatives from Animal Care and Control and from the Sheriff’s Rural Crime Unit spoke about their role in the South County taking care of our animal friends.

They reiterated how imperative it is to report concerns to ACC if you see or are aware of large animal/livestock abuse. Don’t think someone else has called, they stressed. Instead, play it safe and take the time to report concerns.

Many will recall the highly publicized horse seizure that took place in 2014. The 38 rescued horses in South County were malnourished, injured, and/or pregnant when seized.

The horse abuser was prosecuted with felony animal abuse charges, denied the privilege of owning any animals for the next 10 years, and ordered to pay more than $100,000 in restitution, allocated between the nine horse rescuers. The aftermath of this animal abuse case is that precedent was set for future cases in unincorporated South County. Because the community spoke out about the abuse, action was taken. South County exemplified how a community, county departments and rescuers from surrounding counties can work together.

Since 2014, a stronger relationship has been built between the District Attorney’s Office and Animal Care and Control. By establishing earlier communication between these two entities, many more abuse cases have since been successfully prosecuted in South County.

This year, there have been at least 10 livestock animal abuse cases prosecuted. The efforts of Santa Clara County District Supervisor Mike Wasserman resulted in the ACC officers receiving additional training specific to horses and the hiring of an additional experienced large ACC officer.

However, we still need people to speak up for these large animals/livestock. ACC is regularly challenged. The number of large animal/livestock rescuers in Santa Clara County is limited. In the case of the 2014 rescue, surrounding counties stepped up and helped rehabilitate so many of the grossly abused horses from South County. These rescuers continue on a daily bases to care for and help in the healing of abused large animal/livestock. You can help support these heroic horse rescuers through donations, volunteering, or by attending upcoming events.

One of the best ways to learn how to help is to contact Horses Healing Hearts in Pleasanton. It has an Equine Guided Education program to help re-connect humans and horses. And the Pregnant Mare Rescue organization has a June 25 fundraising event in Aptos.

Trina Hineser is the president of the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance. She wrote this column for Morgan Hill Life.