Sheriff’s deputies in San Joaquin County uncovered what they said was a “severe” case of animal neglect when they carried out a search warrant on multiple properties in Clements and discovered over two dozen dead horses.
The search warrants were part of an ongoing animal neglect investigation and allegedly revealed several malnourished horses with limited access to food and water. Deputies also found approximately 27 dead horses at the properties.
Animal services officers, along with veterinarians who were at the scene, immediately began to triage and evaluate the condition of the horses that were still alive, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Sixteen horses were rescued and are now in the care of the nonprofit Oakdale Equine Rescue, but four horses and one bull had to be euthanized due to their extreme neglect, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office personnel with local animal control staff discovered 27 dead horses and multiple others in need of medical care during a warrant search of multiple properties in Clements, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office via Bay City News)
Animal services officers and vets are still evaluating additional horses and animals due to the size of the property.
Arrested was Jan Johnson, who was taken into custody on suspicion of animal cruelty, threatening a public official, making criminal threats and being in possession of a short-barrel shotgun.
According to jail records, Johnson was released the same day she was arrested.
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