DEPUTIES DISCOVER SEVERAL HORSES LIVING IN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS WHILE SERVING EVICTION NOTICE
El Paso County Sheriff's Office
3850 Justice Dr. El Paso, Texas 79938 
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / Public Information Officer
Direct: (915) 538-2223
Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)
Release Date & Time: Saturday, August 30, 2008 4:40 PM
WHO: El Paso County Sheriff's Office (Civil Section)
WHAT: 21 Horses living in dangerous conditions discovered by Sheriff's Officials
WHERE: 999 Rio Vista (Space #7) Socorro, TX
WHEN: August 21, 2008 to present day
WHY: UNDER INVESTIGATION
INFORMATION:
Socorro, TX- On 08-21-08 at 12:35 PM, Sheriff Deputies assigned to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office Civil Division attempted to serve a writ of possession / eviction ordering an a subject (name not being released at this time) to vacate from the premises located at 999 Rio Vista, Space #7, in Socorro, Texas along with the horse stables which he failed to pay rent on. Deputies were unable to contact the subject on that date. During the course of the nine days since then, Deputies received additional information that the subject had abandoned the property approximately three to four months ago and failed to care for approximately 21 horses that were left behind in the stables. Sheriff's Investigator's conducted an inspection of the stables and discovered that a few of the horses appeared to be in critical condition suffering of either malnourishment and / or injury. After inspecting the animals and their living conditions, a decision was made by Sheriff's Officials to contact the proper authorities in removing and safeguarding the animals. Sheriff's Authorities contacted officials from the Animal Cruelty Heartline of El Paso, who specifically tend to the issues of neglect and cruelty of animals / livestock. The ACHE association assisted Sheriff's Investigator's in in temporarily taking possession of the 21 horses to be treated while the rightful owners were contacted.
The assistance of the U.S. Border Patrol was requested in the transportation of these animals. Approximately 10 USBP agents arrived with half a dozen trailers. All 21 horses were removed at one time. The 21 horses were transported to the ACHE ranch located at an undisclosed location. three goats were also moved.
As the horses were being loaded into the trailers, six other parties arrived at the location of occurrence claiming ownership of the animals. Sheriff's Officials advised them that the horses could not be released to them at this time because a decision had already been made by ACHE and the El Paso County Sheriff's Office with the County Attorney's approval, to remove, inspect and safeguard the animals because of illness and injuries noted. All parties were were advised by ACHE & Sheriff's Investigator's on how they could regain custody of their horses after they were formally examined by a licensed veterinarian.
All horses were transported & examined. By the time the respective owners arrived, the horses had been numbered & tagged for identification purposes. The animals had to be properly examined and formally identified before releasing them to their rightful owners.
CHARGES ARE PENDING AS AN INVESTIGATION CONINUES.
NO OTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
End of News Release
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2001 was the first Sheriff’s Office in the State of Texas to be Internationally Accredited from CALEA and is now the recipient of the First CALEA Tri-Arc award in Texas (4th in the Nation) to have accreditations in: Law Enforcement, Communications, Training Academy.