QUEEN CREEK, AZ (AZFamily) — The owner of a miniature horse has been cited after the animal was found roaming near Queen Creek.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) said the public assisted deputies in finding the miniature horse’s owner after it was found roaming on June 21.
During the investigation, detectives said the horse had untreated medical conditions and was not receiving proper veterinary care; photos also showed the animal’s hooves were severely overgrown.
MCSO said its veterinarian determined the horse’s hooves had been neglected for 12 to 18 months, which caused protracted suffering and possible permanent injury to its hoof bones.
After the investigation, the owner was cited with a count of failure to provide the animal with necessary medical treatment. The owner allegedly told deputies that she was searching for the horse after it escaped when a storm blew down a gate…