Neglected and Sick Horses, Miniature Horses & Ponies Seized

MCSO Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Press Release


September 5, 2012
Neglected and Sick
Horses, Miniature Horses & Ponies Seized
Avondale Resident Arrested by Sheriff’s Deputies
On 8/27/12, Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s animal cruelty unit detectives responded to a
complaint of starving horses located at  6215 S. 122nd
Avenue in Avondale, Arizona.
Deputies met with the owner of the horses, Manuel Maria Siguenza.
Siguenza said he is the owner of one horse and three miniature horses and
two ponies, all of which that live at the property.
Four out of the six horses owned by Mr. Siguenza were found by deputies to
be in poor physical condition showing varying degrees of emaciation.
The miniature horse and one of the ponies had neglected feet, one of which
was severely overgrown. The miniature horse was showing signs of discomfort and was emaciated.

A two year old stallion was severely emaciated and appeared depressed. It
was also limping on its left front leg. A young filly (female horse) kept with the
stallion was also very emaciated but had a “pot belly” appearance suggesting
possible parasite infestation.
No medical treatment appears to have been provided to any of the four
horses. The horses were seized due to the severity of the neglect (lack of medical treatment and starvation).
They were transported  by Sheriff’s deputies to an equine veterinary facility
and treated by Dr. Hendrix, D.V.M. Their conditions are as follows;
The body condition scores for the four horses ranged from 1 to 2 1/2 out of 9,
with 1 being severely emaciated and 9 being obese.
The stallion had a severe abscess in his left front foot that bled profusely upon
initial exam.
The miniature horse with the severely neglected hooves will require x-rays
and professional hoof trimming.
The two ponies will require medical treatment for parasitism.
All the horses will remain under the close supervision at the equine facility
until they have recovered enough to be transported the Maricopa County
Sheriff's Office MASH UNIT for care to then be given by Sheriff’s inmates.
On 9/5/12, Manuel Maria Siguenza was arrested and booked in to the
4th avenue jail for the following;
4 counts of cruel neglect AND 4 counts of failure to provide medical attention
necessary to prevent protracted suffering both class 1 misdemeanors.  
(Photos attached.)  CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS.

[Editing to include more information.]

More coverage HERE.