Woman Accused of Poorly Treating Horses Arrested

SUN VALLEY —  A woman who reported several months ago that a stray dog severely chewed her comatose daughter’s foot was arrested Friday on suspicion of felony animal cruelty, police reported.

The woman--who was not immediately identified--was also being investigated for suspected dependent abuse because the 30-year-old daughter appeared to be neglected, Officer Don Cox of the Los Angeles Police Department said.

The daughter, still comatose, was removed from the house and taken to a hospital where her condition was stable, Cox said.

In November of last year, the woman reported to authorities that a stray dog had wandered into her house and severely chewed the daughter’s foot, which had to be amputated, according to police. The report triggered a search of the neighborhood for the dog, but investigators from the Department of Animal Services reported later that there was no indication that a dog was involved.

Friday’s incident began about 12:30 p.m. when someone went to the woman’s house in the 9700 block of Sunland Boulevard to inquire about a horse that had been advertised for sale, Cox said.

The person noticed that about 13 horses kept there appeared severely malnourished and notified officers at the LAPD’s Foothill Division station.

Officers went to the house to examine the animals and “noticed the animals appeared to be in a state of neglect,” Cox said.

The woman was arrested and the police officers called the animal services department.

Late Friday, animal services officers were still removing the horses from the house to be taken to a city animal shelter.