Abused horses from Morgan Hill get a new life

The Morgan Hill man convicted of abusing dozens of horses, Humberto Rivas Uribe, learned his fate.

Beth Brookhouser of the SPCA of Monterey County said, “It’s horrible whenever you see any kind of animal abuse.”

Uribe was convicted of neglecting and starving 38 horses. His sentence was 90 days in jail, plus five years of probation, no animal ownership for ten years and possible restitution and counseling.

Brookhouser said the horses were thin, had not been cared for, and needed to be dewormed.

Many of the horses are recovering at equine rescue centers, or with foster families in Santa Clara and San Benito Counties. The SPCA of Monterey County has several of the horses.

Brookhouser said, “Horses we took in are all doing really well… Bonita here is one of the young ones. When she first came in, she didn’t want anyone to touch her — very, very nervous; but she’s come around so quickly and is such a sweet cuddle bug.”

Seven of the horses in the SPCA for Monterey County’s care are now available for adoption. Others have already found their forever homes elsewhere.

Uribe was set to be released from jail January 6th, and in March a judge will decide whether Uribe will have to pay the medical bills for the horses.