MENDOCINO COUNTY ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE

July 17, 2007

One of the many cases of rain rot

In spring 2006, a horse owner in Mendocino County was charged with animal cruelty. He had 36 horses, all malnourished, and one was found dead apparently trying to access water from a nearby creek, as no water was available in their pasture. The horses were given Henneke scores around 1.0, and one mare, dubbed Nancy, was scored 0.5.

Redwings has been following the case and providing updates on our website.

Volunteers from The Rainbow Horses Volunteer Network worked tirelessly to take care of the horses until Mendocino County could seize the horses. In April 2006, many of the DeNoyer horses were auctioned off by the Mendocino County Public Health Department, Animal Care and Control Program. Four of the original horses remain in impound pending the result of DeNoyer's trial.

Among the surprises was a woman who showed up at the auction with papers proving that she was the rightful owner of two of the horses, they having been stolen two years prior. These two horses are now back at their proper home.

Another surprise was that one of the bidders, Mark Scripter, who successfully bid on eight horses, was later identified as the brother-in-law of James DeNoyer.

Trial got underway on July 5, 2007 in Ukiah, California and ended in a mistrial. The Prosecution is being encouraged by horse advocacy groups to re-try the case.

Nancy, who could barely walk short distances

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