Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2008

Police employee the focus of animal neglect probe

Mariposa County looking into case that involves a horse that had to be euthanized.

By VICTOR A. PATTON
vpatton@mercedsun-star.com

A member of the Merced Police Department is under investigation for possible animal neglect in Mariposa County, the Sun-Star has learned.

Merced police officials confirmed Tuesday the department has opened its own internal investigation into the incident -- but, when asked, declined to name the employee.

The case stems from a Mariposa County Sheriff's Department investigation into an injured 3- to 4-year-old horse at a residence on Mark Twain Lane.

According to the Mariposa County Sheriff's Department, earlier this month Mariposa Animal Control officers had responded to the home because the horse was unable to stand.

The horse eventually had to be killed.

Merced Police Cmdr. Floyd Higdon said the investigation in Mariposa County does involve one of the Merced department's employees. He added that the police department isn't yet involved with Mariposa County's investigation.

Higdon said the Merced department is awaiting "what, if any violations may have occurred" in the results from Mariposa County.

The employee is still working for the department and hasn't been placed on leave, Higdon said.

Mariposa District Attorney Bob Brown said the Mariposa Sheriff's Department's report has yet to be filed with his office. Brown said he expects to see that report by Friday. "We will then make a filing decision once we receive it," he added.

Brown noted that no charges have been filed so far against the person who's being investigated. No one has been arrested in the case.

Mariposa Sheriff's Capt. Byron Robles, an investigator in the case, said the horse was believed to have been suffering from heart complications. The horse also had bedsore-like injuries on its body, Robles said. Officers found the horse down in its pen, unable to get up.

After their initial contact with the horse, animal control officers returned to the scene accompanied by two contracted veterinarians, both of whom agreed the horse should be killed to end its suffering, according to the Mariposa Sheriff's Department.

Although the Mariposa department typically conducts up to 10 welfare checks a month on a "variety of animals," it rarely had come across an animal in such poor condition. "I can't say we've had anything this bad in quite some time," Robles said.

Robles said the department is still conducting witness interviews.

Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.