Riverside County Horse Badly Injured By Discarded Razor Wire [Note: Graphic Image]
RIVERSIDE (CBS) — Riverside County Animal Control Officers responded to a Sunday morning call about a horse tangled in razor wire in the Mead Valley area, just southeast of the city of Riverside, according to officials.
The horse was found, on its side, in a dirt patch lot near Nandina Avenue and Clark Street, west of Interstate 215 and near a property owned by the Riverside National Cemetery.
The Animal Control officers -- Mark Visyak and Scott Reeves -- along with Riverside County firefighters from CAL Fire Station No. 59, the California Highway Patrol and the horse's owner were trying to assist the horse.
The horse -- a 12-year-old male Arabian mix named Palomo -- had somehow gotten himself entangled in coils of discarded razor wire. Palomo sustained multiple lacerations over his body and head. The horse was bleeding moderately.
Within about a half hour, the team -- cutting the horse free using bolt cutters -- helped the animal get up. Firefighters bandaged a severe laceration on the front right leg but the horse was able to stand on his own.
Visyak and Reeves loaded the horse and transported him to the owner's property.
The owner of the horse was issued a citation for allowing the horse to get loose. The owner was also given an official notice to have the horse examined and treated by an equine veterinarian.
Animal Services said they will send an officer to the property for a followup inspection to make sure the horse has been treated properly for its injuries.
"We're always troubled when animals get out of their properties and get injured," Riverside County Animal Services Director Robert Miller said. "This horse's injuries are very difficult to view. And these types of injuries are preventable."
