Authorities in San Joaquin County, California have arrested a woman after discovering the remains of 27 horses across multiple properties. On Wednesday, deputies executed a search warrant in Clements, where they were led to investigate ongoing reports of animal neglect.
During the operation, officers and animal services personnel found several malnourished horses with limited access to food and water. Tragically, they located 27 deceased horses across the properties. Veterinarians and animal service officers on the scene immediately began triaging and assessing the condition of the surviving animals.
“After thorough evaluations, 16 horses were rescued and are now receiving professional care at Oakdale Equine Rescue,” authorities said. “Unfortunately, four horses and one bull had to be euthanized due to the severity of their neglect.” The remaining horses and other animals are still being assessed due to the large size of the property.
Jan Johnson, a resident of Clements, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty, threatening a public official, criminal threats, and possession of a short-barrel shotgun. She was booked into the San Joaquin County jail.
“We are committed to protecting the welfare of all animals in our community and will continue to investigate this matter,” the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office stated. “Thank you to our deputies and animal services team for their swift action in addressing this heartbreaking situation. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Oakdale Equine Rescue for their invaluable assistance in rescuing these horses.”
