Manuel SiguenzaAVONDALE, AZ (CBS5) -
An Avondale man faces animal neglect and cruelty charges after authorities found four starving horses on his property.
Manuel Siguenza was booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail on four counts of cruel neglect and four counts of failure to provide medical attention necessary to prevent protracted suffering.
Siguenza owns six horses in all. Four of them were found in various degrees of emaciation on Aug. 27 when Maricopa County sheriff's deputies responded to a complaint at the property in the 6200 block of S. 122nd Avenue.
A miniature horse and one of the ponies had neglected feet, one of which was severely overgrown, sheriff's investigators said. The miniature horse was showing signs of discomfort and was emaciated, deputies said.
A 2-year-old stallion was severely emaciated and appeared depressed, according to MCSO. It was also limping on its left front leg, deputies said. A young filly kept with the stallion was also emaciated but had a "pot belly" appearance, suggesting possible parasite infestation, sheriff's deputies said.
None of the four horses appeared to have received any medical treatment, MCSO said.
A veterinarian examined the horses and found the stallion had a severe abscess in his left front foot that bled profusely upon initial exam, deputies said.
The miniature horse with the severely neglected hooves will require X-rays and professional hoof trimming, deputies said. The two ponies will require medical treatment for parasitism, according to MCSO.
All the horses will remain under supervision at an equine facility until they have recovered enough to be transferred to the sheriff's office's MASH Unit for care to then be given by inmates.
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