Injured, Abandoned Monterey County Horse Put To Sleep; Reward Offered In Animal Cruelty Case

ROYALS OAKS, Monterey County (CBS SF) -- The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for Monterey County is offering $1,000 for information in a case of horse abuse discovered last weekend.

The organization reports that a horse found abandoned in Royal Oaks on Sunday had to be put to sleep.

Veterinarians who examined the abandoned horse found that it was suffering from a severe and painful leg deformity. They say it was likely caused by an untreated orthopedic injury.

The horse was also underweight and had extremely overgrown hooves, SPCA officials said.

Anyone with information about the horse -- a gelding between 12 and 15 years old -- is asked to contact the SPCA at (831) 373-2631.

The owner of the horse could be charged with criminal animal cruelty if caught by authorities.