Two horses found dead in Royal Oaks
UPDATE 10/30/18 6:12 p.m.The SPCA for Monterey County is offering $1,000 to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the death of two horses.
On October 17, two badly decomposed horse carcasses were found at a property on Strawberry Road in Royal Oaks.
The caretaker was later identified as Benjamin Montano Hernandez who has turned himself into the SPCA, but they are still asking for more information from the public.
SPCA spokeswoman Beth Brookhouser says, “In this case we have two deceased horses that are decomposed pretty badly so we need a lot more information and we’re looking for the publics help.”
Hernandez has an active warrant for possession of stolen property and driving with a suspended license.
He could face animal cruelty and abandonment charges if found guilty in this case.
Brookhouser also wants to remind people to look for animal neglect and report anything suspicious, “signs of a horse being neglected would be long hooves starting to curl up, a coat that just doesn’t look shiny and healthy, if you can see their ribs and hip bones sticking out.”
The founder of Hope, Horses and Kids in Monterey County, Lori Tuttle says she’s been working with horses for more than 20 years and knows how challenging it can be, “I think people get themselves into situations where they become overwhelmed, they don’t know what it takes to take care of an animal like a horse. They have to be fed, they have to have water, they have to be cleaned they need interaction, they need to get out and get exercise. So ya it’s a huge responsibility.”
Tuttle says that is still no excuse to abandon any animal and people should do more research on what they are getting into before taking on that responsibility.
Hope, Horses and Kids is a nonprofit aiming to help kids with physical and mental difficulties learn lessons through interacting with horses.
If you were a witness to this case, please contact the SPCA at 831-373-2631 or online at www.SPCAmc.org/report-cruelty.
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The SPCA for Monterey County is offering $1,000 to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the death of two horses.
On October 17, two badly decomposed horse carcasses were found at a property on Strawberry Road in Royal Oaks.
The caretaker was later identified as Benjamin Montano Hernandez.
SPCA spokeswoman Beth Brookhouser said Hernandez fled the property and his whereabouts are unknown at this time.
Hernandez has an active warrant for possession of stolen property and driving with a suspended license. Hernandez is described as a 35-year-old Hispanic man, 5’11, weighing about 190 lbs, with brown eyes and black hair.
If you were a witness to this case, please contact the SPCA at 831-373-2631 or online at www.SPCAmc.org/report-cruelty.
