A Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputy arrested a 65-year-old Cloverdale man for animal abuse after finding a dead horse and nearly a dozen other horses neglected and emaciated. The call came in on Wednesday, March 21 when a neighbor reported that Joseph Rafael was boarding about a dozen horses on his property and they were in such bad shape that she started bringing them food sporadically and supplemental feeding them herself. On Wednesday, when she went to Raphael’s property to feed his horses, she found one lying down deceased. The horse showed signs of emaciation and neglect.
The deputy went to Rafael’s property located in the 25800 block of River Rd in Cloverdale and noticed the deceased horse had severe signs of malnourishment with bones showing through its skin. The deputy also found eleven other horses on the property standing in nearly knee high mud, some showing signs of malnourishment.
The deputy contacted Sonoma County Animal Control and together they contacted Rafael who knew about the malnourished horses and the muddy conditions. He was trying different options to put weight on the animals but agreed that he would try harder to get them healthy.
The deputy then contacted neighbors and got statements that show a longtime pattern of under nourishing his animals. The animal control officer took pictures of the malnourished horses to a local vet who gave an opinion that these horses were indeed underfed, emaciated and in immediate jeopardy.
The deputy and Sonoma County Animal Control worked with a non-profit called “CHANGE” which stands for Coins to Help Abandoned and Neglected Equines. Together, they went back to Raphael’s home on Thursday March 22 where CHANGE volunteers were able to trailer the remaining eleven horses and move them to an appropriate shelter facility where they hope to be restored to full health.
The deceased horse was also taken for transport to UC Davis for a necropsy to determine a cause of death.
The deputy arrested Rafael and booked him on 12 counts of felony animal abuse. He has since been released on a $10,000 bail bond.
Prepared by: Sgt. Spencer Crum
Media Inquiries: 707-565-3941
CR 180321029
