More than 1,000 animals found neglected, sick, and injured in Soledad

UPDATE 8/22/2017 12:35 p.m. A Humane Investigations Supervisor confirms that another goat and long-horned cow have been rescued by the SPCA for Monterey County.

On August 16, humane officers responded to an illegal boarding facility on Metz Road in Soledad on August 9. More than 1,000 animals were found neglected, sick and injured. Goats and sheep were found with diseases, there were malnourished cattle, and an injured goose.

In total, four animals have died due to illness or injuries.

The SPCA said both the property and animal owners are cooperating with the investigation.

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More than 1,000 animals were found neglected, sick and injured on a property in Monterey County.

According to the SPCA for Monterey County, humane officers responded to an illegal boarding facility on Metz Road in Soledad on August 9. Goats and sheep were found with diseases, there were malnourished cattle, and an injured goose.

“What these animals are enduring is unexplainable,” said Director of Community Outreach for the SPCA, Beth Brookhouser.

The SPCA said the owner agreed to take the animals in most serious condition to the vet for emergency medical care. Two of the animals were rushed to emergency care, a calf and a steer, had to be euthanized to end suffering. Another malnourished calf with pneumonia was brought to the SPCA for 24 hour care but unfortunately died.

Animals on the property included cows, goats, ducks, chickens, sheep, pigs, llamas, horses, and more all in a wide variety of conditions.

“We’re seeing a lot of long-term health issues that could have been no problem if they could’ve been taken care of sooner,” Brookhouser said.

The Monterey County Building and Planning has ordered the owner to shut his facility down, evict all tenants, and dismantle the illegal structures. The owner has been required to provide food, water, shelter and vet care for the animals still on the property.

The owner is being fined $1,000 a day by county officials until he complies.

“The owner had poor records and little or no contact information for his boarding clients, so not all pet owners could be contacted by the SPCA. The SPCA is still trying to locate some of the animal owners to alert them to the situation,” said Brookhouser.

The owner could be charged with the following: Permitting animals to go without veterinary care, animal cruelty, deprivation of food, water and shelter, and abandonment.